It’s OK to Struggle

Professional “Learners”

We were all professional “learners” at some point.

Think about it. Your “job” for the first 18 years or so was to learn. First to learn how to move and walk, and then how to learn in school. This may have continued in sports (learning more movement) or onto advanced degrees (learning more “school stuff”). I’m sure Doctors will be thrilled by my use of “school stuff” to characterize their advanced degrees… Anywho….

So we were all professional learners at some point. But what if I told you that most of how we were taught to learn was wrong, or at least, less than optimal?

Now before you go back to your 8^th-grade algebra teacher, or the Coach who told you to try another sport, slow down and consider that learning is not a static science, but an evolving field. And since learning is a lifelong endeavor, we can always learn how to learn better.

How We Learn

In their book Make It Stick, the authors do a great job of laying out some of the new science and perspectives on learning. While the book mainly focuses on the “school stuff” type of learning, they do touch on the physical side. I would like to tie their “school stuff” together with a bit of motor learning information to provide a new perspective.

Nothing like small goals…

How were most of us taught to learn something?

Practice.

After all, it’s how you get to Carnegie Hall. (Old joke…Click HERE).

In physical learning, that meant hours of skill repetition: shooting hundreds of foul shots, tennis serves, golf drives, etc. In “school stuff” learning, (ok…I’ll switch to academic learning), it meant rote practice of reading and rereading, or writing and rewriting something you wanted to learn like the Gettysburg Address or multiplication tables. Well, it turns out that rote practice isn’t a great way to learn. Sure, it can work for a test. But “cramming” for a test is not the same as actually learning—as most of us can attest to since we can’t remember the Gettysburg Address.

It turns out the key to learning is…wait for it…

To struggle.

Students hate to struggle. Coaches and teachers—we hate to see them do it too. It doesn’t feel good. A lot of self-esteem and judgment (both internal and external) gets wrapped up in our learning. To be seen to struggle is tough. We quickly decide what to avoid based on our struggles. Not quickly “getting” math can lead to giving up on math. Missing foul shots can quickly lead to switching sports, etc. All prematurely before we’ve given ourselves any real chance. Since it’s the struggle that leads the way to learning and mastery.

In an academic learning environment, struggle means quizzing. Read (not to memorize but to understand). Take notes—a recent article in Scientific American points out writing out notes is superior to typing on a computer. Study and get quizzed on the information. Being “right” doesn’t matter. You read that correctly. Being “correct,” or the performance on the quiz is not important. What is important is the process of being quizzed, the struggle of recalling information and recognizing where additional study is needed.

Bean Bags and Practice

In a physical learning environment, struggle means allowing time for the skill to build (you can reread this article on Building Skill). It also means incorporating varied practice and interleaved practice into your physical learning.

In Chapter 3 of Make It Stick, the authors describe a study where children were asked to toss as many bean bags as possible into a bucket placed three-feet away. Split into two groups after a pre-test, the first group of children practiced throwing bean bags into a bucket three-feet away. The second group practiced throwing bean bags into buckets two-feet and four-feet away, but never three-feet away (the “goal distance”). Which group performed better at the post-test?

The second group out-performed the first. While never practicing the “goal” distance, they learned how to adjust effort and aim better than the group practicing the goal. This is a form of varied practice in physical learning.

I remember Pavel referencing Russian Shotput athletes throwing to specific distances. 12 feet, 8 feet, 15 feet (to be honest I have no idea how far shot putters put shots…but you get the idea) and rarely a “max effort” throw. Their dominance in the field shows they were onto something.

Varied practice can be vital for enhancing performance and building skill. Specific to kettlebell training this can mean something like weight ladders for swings, snatches, or any skill. Or performing swings or snatches at different percentages of effort/power (something the PUSH band can help you with).

Interleaving your practice means not spending hours on one skill but rather mixing in other skills (perhaps related to your goal). Practicing some swings between your military presses is one way to do it. Interleaving your practice doesn’t “feel” as good as spending an entire session on a skill—called block practice—where learning is “stored” in a more superficial way. With interleaving practice, your learning is stored in a deeper way.

When I teach our StrongFirst Kettlebell Course, there is an interleaving of the practice. Students learn the deadlift progressing to the two-arm swing, then we switch to the get-up.

A key component of the get-up is learning what it means to have a connected (used to use the term “packed” but I think connected is better now) shoulder. After some get-up practice, we progress to the one-arm swing. A key component of the one-arm swing is having a connected shoulder—the students now understand what that means after the get-up instruction. Interleaving the practice enhances learning and can assist in incorporating complementary skills. In motor leaning this can be referred to as random (interleaved) vs. block practice (one skill).

Embrace the Struggle

“Struggle is nature’s way of strengthening it” (John Locke).

And since “Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed” (Francis Bacon), you need to embrace struggle. Do not shy from it. Embrace learning that may not “feel good” at the moment. Implement varied practice and interleaved practice into your skill development.

Related Articles

The 3 Pillars: How to Build Skill While Being Real

Tweetable Quotes

Resources Mentioned

StrongFirst Kettlebell Course
Push Band Wearable Technology
Make It Stick – book

You may also like:

The 3 Pillars: How to Build Skill While Being Real

Dr. Thomas refers to the Three Pillars of Progression, Variety, and Precision. Using these pillars, you can advance your learning and skill level while avoiding two of the most common mental traps.

SFG Level I Certification: 3 + 6 = Excellence

The SFG Level I Certification digs deep into the six movements that test your skills, strengths, and weaknesses - and even your mental strength.

How to Build a Skill: Using the Get-up to Develop the Press

It’s likely you’ve read dozens of articles on the get-up, how to do the get-up, and what effect you can create with it. That's all fine, but let me share the special reason that I do the get-up.

Why Failure Is the Opportunity to Learn and the Key to Progress

We not only show, but teach professional failure in the SFG Level I Certification. This is how important is to fail—as a professional. Real failure is not something we teach.

Brett Jones

Brett Jones is StrongFirst’s Director of Education. He is also a Certified Athletic Trainer and Strength and Conditioning Specialist based in Pittsburgh, PA. Mr. Jones holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine from High Point University, a Master of Science in Rehabilitative Sciences from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

With over twenty years of experience, Brett has been sought out to consult with professional teams and athletes, as well as present throughout the United States and internationally.

As an athletic trainer who has transitioned into the fitness industry, Brett has taught kettlebell techniques and principles since 2003. He has taught for Functional Movement Systems (FMS) since 2006, and has created multiple DVDs and manuals with world-renowned physical therapist Gray Cook, including the widely-praised “Secrets of…” series.

Brett continues to evolve his approach to training and teaching, and is passionate about improving the quality of education for the fitness industry. He is available for consultations and distance coaching—e-mail him for more info.

Brett is the author of Iron Cardio.

Follow him on Twitter at @BrettEJones.