Anxiety is an Assessment that something is uncertain and not-predictable.
Anxiety as an Enemy of Learning
Unrecognised or unacknowledged, Anxiety behaves as an Enemy of learning.
For example, I may be carrying Assessments such as:
- “I don’t know if I can learn this”
- “I’m worried about looking like an idiot”
- “Everyone else here is smarter than me already so how can I keep up”
- “I’ve never tried this before. What if I can’t?”
- “What if I ask her out and she says ‘No’?”
Overcoming the Enemy of learning of learning means Grounding Assessments to create an environment where learning can occur and the questions above are answered.
Anxiety as an Ally of Learning
Unlike Resignation, where there is no possibility of learning, Anxiety can be a sign that I am truly uncertain and gathering more information is sure to make my understanding more certain. I move from inability to act due to lack of information to a position of power where I have choices to act.
This type of Anxiety is overcome by applying the Colin Powell 40-70 rule and:
- Making Requests for assistance or knowledge (oh, but what if they say “No”)
- Taking small steps and testing the waters