1 huge mistake 95% of technology users make!

1 HUGE mistake almost every single end-user has made in my presence!  Almost EVERY SINGLE ONE!  Check below the line to find out more!

We live in a world that is technology-driven, and we have since the dawn of time.  As the human psyche developed, we were making tools first with rocks and sticks, then metal, then plastics.  

As we get older, our brains become less able to accept new information, but the brain is like a muscle if you don't challenge it constantly, you lose the ability to learn new things, and that is just silly.

So why is it that with almost every new client I see, talk to or help support do they tell me in earnest, usually while laughing that they are not "Technologically savvy" or "Computer Stupid" or some even say they are "Technologically Resistant."  Why would you stick yourself into that box?

Sure, not all of us feel incredibly comfortable with our level of understanding of certain technologies, but that's completely normal.  It's relatively new in the span of our human experience!  I've been a Technologist since I was 16 years old and there are still things I am not 100% comfortable doing, and I've built several computers completely from scratch!  I've been doing technical work in some form or another for the past 25 years of my life!  I eat, crap and breathe this stuff and I am still not 100% comfortable in some aspects of technology!

When I was a staff member with the University of Phoenix, I ran seminars for our faculty and staff to teach them how to use the various technologies we were rolling out as part of an effort to modernize the facilities.

I ran 1-time enrichment classes for our students to explain how to keep their computers and devices healthy and virus free.  I always had a few students in that class, some that would take careful notes and ask surprising questions, and others who were just there for the free pizza, and I can't really blame them on that.  The classes were free to everyone!  Anyone could have just plopped down in my classroom and I would have treated them just like any other student.

Another point of fact, one of the things we talk about in Witchcraft circles is "creating what we speak", and I believe this to be true no matter your philosophical bend.  

So why in the hell would you paint yourself into a corner like that?

                                            This is Fine...

If you do not know something, seek to learn it, even if it's scary, even if it'll take time away from other things you enjoy!  

I have spent the last year or so now learning how to edit videos for YouTube, because I wanted to know how to do it, and my first several videos looked like something that had been made with Powerpoint, (not knocking powerpoint, just not what you expect when you're cruising YouTube for something to watch!) 

Your first several attempts at learning a new thing are not going to look or feel professional, and that's the point!  There's a saying that says something like "The Master has failed more times than the student has attempted." and I feel that is absolutely true.  So get out there and fail!

Here was an analogy that I offered in many of my UoP classes: Do you think when shoes were invented people were resistant to them?  Like, imagine walking around everywhere in your bare feet, getting frostbite, getting cuts, bruises, and stings on the soles of your feet all of the time.  Would you be the person that would say "No thanks, shoes are the work of the devil and I would rather die of exposure than try to put them on my feet?"  Hopefully not, because that is just silly!

And, one more thing to consider, please check out this article by Harvard.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/learning-new-skill-can-slow-cognitive-aging-201604279502

Learning new skills acts as a sort of fountain of youth for our aging brains. It encourages something called neuroplasticity, which means that the pathways of neurons in your brain learn how to make new, shorter pathways, leading to faster work, better absorption of knowledge and a host of other things we all complain about not having in old age.

My husband works at a Brain Injury Rehab and deals with these subjects every single day, he sees proof of this concept all of the time.  If you are willing to do the work to learn new skills, it really only helps you.

Often times, when I am helping an individual with a computer issue, they tell me they are afraid they will break their device, or that they will render it unusable.  Generally, this isn't the case unless you are trying to do something rather complex with the device.  My advice is usually the same, mess with it!  Keep track of what you did by writing it down somewhere.  Then try to undo what you did.  Chances are, after hitting your head against it for an hour or 2 you'll figure out how to undo what you did, and you'll learn an abundance of things from just that simple act!  If you can't figure it out, hit me up at support@techwitchdetroit.freshdesk.com and I'll be glad to help you out with it remotely.

So, tell me, what new technology would you like to learn?  What's something that really fires you up and gets you motivated to try to learn more?  I'll be glad to provide an article or two on this blog, or if enough folks are interested, I'd be glad to run a class through my Zoom!

The too long, didn't read or (Tl:dr) version, challenge yourself and you'll be surprised of what you are capable of!  

See ya'all next week for a new batch of Tech Witch Tips!