Sometimes when we learn a new skill, we can act as if we’re scared, even when we don’t think we are.
I made homemade noodles for Sunday dinner, and remarked how I am much less scared of working with them than I used to be.
The thing is, I wouldn’t have described myself as scared, even the first few times I made fresh pasta dough. It wasn’t until I was no longer treading cautiously that I knew that I had previously been doing so.
Often when we’re new to a skill, our behavior can be cautious, tentative, or even downright scared. Some of the time, we recognize that; other times, we simply don’t. We behave scared without realizing that we’re scared.
At times like this, it’s great to have mentors – teachers – who can guide us, alleviate our fears, and support our growth. As teachers, we know how to recognize fearful behavior and make it better.