If you don’t start when you’re young, don’t bother.

I kinda couldn’t believe the words when I heard them. I had to re-wind the video. Probably I misunderstood?

No. I didn’t.

It was an interview I saw a few years ago. An incredibly accomplished musician was discussing how to become a truly great performer.

Practice every day.

Get yourself a good teacher.

Focus on the basics – scales and metronome and every. single. day.

I got all that. I understand that. The research backs that up for sure.

But then the question:

What should an adult, just starting out, do to become proficient? Anything different? Anything else?

And then the answer:

don’t bother.

I listened to it three times. Maybe four.

Too many.

Seriously? Don’t bother?

Unbelievable.

Just straight up unbelievable.

I wanted to jump into the video and just ask straight out if this is really what you’re saying – is this really what you’re telling me?

Don’t bother to start playing an instrument if you’re older and you want to be any good at it. You’ll never be good at it?

Don’t bother to start at all if you didn’t start when you were young?

Don’t bother to start something new that you maybe always wanted to do because, sorry folks, you missed the chance?

It broke my heart right there knowing that someone, somewhere would hear this advice. And believe it.

“It’s never too late to learn.” (~Malcolm Forbes)

Because the truth is it is never too late to learn something new. It is certainly never too late to start a new chapter, launch a new business, begin a new hobby, or live a new dream.

Don’t bother?

Tis not too late to seek a newer world. (~Alfred Lord Tennyson)

Yeah, that advice? Don’t bother learning something new because you’ll never be “great”?

Sorry, but I don’t believe that. I don’t think Grandma Moses would either, frankly.

And you dear reader? With that dream in your heart and that passion you want to explore?

I don’t think you should believe it either.

That thing you want to learn?

Please, bother.

Because it really is never too late to learn.

~xo,
LuAnne

{re-edited from the archives, read the original post here}

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“It’s never too late to learn.” (~Malcolm Forbes) Tis not too late to seek a newer world. (~Alfred Lord Tennyson)