Ever have one of those days where things just aren't going right? No matter how hard you try there's that feeling you're in over your head, and that maybe you've reached the limits of your abilities.  

Maybe you're feeling overwhelmed by the constant parade of new technology coming out and you're struggling to keep up with it. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Blogging, WiFi, iPads, iPhones, I Scream, You Scream, we all scream but not for ice cream! Well, now you can relax and know that you're not the only one who feels this way.

Watch the fellow in the video and see if you don't find yourself feeling a certain kinship with his plight. Don't be surprised if you also find yourself laughing along with his situation and maybe picturing yourself in his "sandals."

http://youtu.be/nrjjzRs9eNY  

Remember when learning anything new there are 4 stages one must go through:

1. Unconscious incompetence - a person does not know that they do not know.
2. Conscious incompetence - a person now realizes how much they don't know.
3. Conscious competence - a person has developed or acquired the necessary skill, but is not yet consistent or habitual at it.
4. Unconscious competence - the skill has become habitual and automatic for the person and their conscious mind is free to focus on other things while demonstrating the skill. (Like when you drive a car. The last thing on your mind is; how do I drive this thing? Your mind is free to focus on other matters.)

Ansgarr, from the video, would definitely be in stage 2. He is gaining an awareness of just how much he doesn't know and this appears to be causing him to feel overwhelmed by the whole process. He may be feeling a sense of discouragement about his situation and might even deem the whole thing as hopeless and possibly contemplate giving up. (The prospect of change can sometimes be hard so going back to what is familiar might be more appealing - ie. the scroll)

But despite the despair he may feel, all is not lost as there is a bright side to this stage as well (oh yes there is always a bright side)! As well as being the stage to awareness of how much one doesn't know, it's also the stage where the greatest amount of learning and growth can occur. It's where Ansgarr can develop new competencies and templates for the brain to say "hey if I can succeed at this, what else am I capable of?"

So the next time you find yourself with a daunting task perhaps take a break to relax and enjoy a good old fashioned book and take a moment to recognize just how far you've come. You're pretty amazing when you stop and think about it.