“I can’t even draw a straight line! How can I paint?” was my first response when my good friend Rie Rumito asked if I would join her very first watercolor painting class. That was two years ago. Looking back, I am so happy that I made that decision to support Rie in her quest to share her love of painting with others. To her, anyone can learn to paint!
So, I took my first small step and went for my first painting class. That small step helped me to see possibilities that I had never seen before! As Rie pointed out, there are strategies to help you draw a straight line, and what’s more, you can paint without straight lines!
That one small step led to another and another. After a few months, I decided to commit to keep learning and get better at watercolors.
This is an example of exhibiting a Growth Mindset: the belief that you can learn, grow and get better with dedicated effort, appropriate strategies, and help from others.
I am so glad I took that first small step, to explore, experiment, and take myself out of my comfort zone and learn. Things are a lot more interesting for me now, it’s like I’ve opened a new door and I see the world differently.
I now have an artistic hobby where I can express myself, enhance my creative growth, and more importantly improve my general wellbeing. All it took was that one small step to try an experiment and the belief that I can learn and get better.
What is the one “small step” that you will take today?
What new experience, or experiment, can you create for yourself?
Written by:
Linda Tan-Spicer, Lead Development Strategist of ILS
Meet Linda Tan Spicer: your go-to performance strategist for transforming corporate chaos into seamless success. With over two decades of experience, she’s the secret ingredient that turns “meh” into “marvellous,” crafting company cultures that spark joy and inspire collaboration. Based in Singapore and fluent in both English and Mandarin, Linda has a knack for navigating the complexities of organisational change with a dash of humour and a whole lot of expertise. Whether she's coaching leaders or strategising growth performance, her mission is simple: to make work life not just productive, but genuinely enjoyable. If you’re seeking to drive meaningful change in your organisation, Linda’s your strategic partner.
Originally published in LinkedIn