Confessions of a learning addict…

Well, I guess the first step to recovery is admitting that you have a problem, right? I am addicted to taking courses, and love learning new things. My mother and I were talking about this the other day, and in the last 10 years I have taken guitar, piano and cello lessons. I have also done Irish Dance and Tai Chi as well as taking online courses from Ariel Hyatt (Cyber Boot Camp), Cari Cole (Fast Forward To Fame), Sarah Gavigan (Get Your Music Licensed 101) and Bob Baker (Guerilla Marketing Music Mastermind).

So, what keeps me going back to take more courses? I love having a teacher. I have bought the “teach yourself” book and videos, but don’t have the determination to stick to it on my own. I am smart enough that I should be able to teach myself how to play the concertina, but I really need the accountability of seeing someone every week. I need to know that there is a chance that I will embarrass myself completely! I need the chance to fail in order to succeed… I wonder what that says about me?

Just so you know, I am not a good guitarist or pianist… I only took lessons for a short period of time. The instrument that stuck the most, and on which I have taken lessons the longest has been the cello. I believe that I have an affinity for instruments with a bow.

The Irish Dance and Tai Chi lessons have both been part of my process to regain my health and lose weight. I enjoyed and was really quite good at both activities. Both Irish Dance and Tai Chi involve patterns, and my mind works really well with patterns and my memory is excellent! Sadly, I no longer practice either as they do not currently fit into my schedule. I will certainly take more fitness classes as time goes on. I have looked into many other fitness related activities including belly dancing, zumba and step-dancing… Notice, none of these are going to a gym to lift weights. I think that I need the thought of the activity being identifiably creative.

And my online courses, which I started taking a few years ago, were/are all related to my business… How to reach more people, how to step up my game, how to make more money, etc. They have been excellent courses and I would suggest them to anyone involved in the music industry.

So, what do I do now? I have now gained a lot of insight into the music industry and think that I need to take time to implement some of what I’ve learned… No more gathering information… Time to use it! I will be continuing with my cello lessons, but taking some time off from online courses… or at least, that is the plan!