As someone who tends to dive headfirst into new passions, I’ve always been a bit of an all‑or‑nothing woman. If I can’t be the best at something, part of me wonders if it’s even worth doing at all. Sound familiar?
But lately, I’ve been working hard to challenge that mindset and while I’m far from perfect (and that’s the point), the results have been eye‑opening. It’s something I talk about often in my work as a memory coach, because this mindset shows up everywhere, not just in learning new skills, but in how we approach improvement itself.
The spark that fades
When we start something new, be it memory training, a new sport, or a creative skill, there can be an incredible rush of excitement. Everything feels fresh and full of promise. But over time, that excitement can begin to fade, especially when progress slows or challenges hit.
And just when it feels like there is a giant immovable boulder in the way of improvement, is actually where the magic happens. It builds perseverance, teaches us how to keep going when the novelty wears off, and the problem solving needed to overcome the obstacle provides a unique and deeper understanding.
Why consistency and perseverance can beat talent
It might sound cliché, but consistency over time and fostering a growth mindset can outperform natural talent. A bit of perseverance, even when you feel you’re getting nowhere, can still lead to real improvement if you can learn to embrace the difficulties and see it as part of the learning process.
And believing in this process can help.
Psychologist Carol Dweck’s research on fostering a growth mindset shows that when people believe their abilities can improve with effort, they’re more likely to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and keep going when things get hard.
Memory Training progress
Memory training is a great example of this principle. At first, you might see quick wins. Suddenly you can remember the names of those you meet or more new words than you ever thought possible. But after a while, progress naturally plateaus. The sessions feel the same, yet the results don’t seem to leap forward as they used to.
That’s when most people stop.
But if you keep going, trust the process, and look for creative ways around these roadblocks, you’ll find the next layer of progress waiting just beyond that plateau. In those tougher moments, it can also help to be tracking your progress over time, not just week to week, but month to month or even year to year.
Track, reflect, and reframe
Write things down. Keep a record of your results, scores, things memorized or recall speed. Over time, that record will show you what is really happening, that you are improving. Slowly, steadily, meaningfully.
It’s like physical fitness, you don’t expect perfection in your workout results, just gradual progress, or for some a halt in decline. Memory training works the same way: an ongoing practice to keep your mind strong, sharp, and adaptable for life.
Imperfect progress is still progress
Improvement isn’t about perfection, it’s about persistence. Every lapse, plateau, and struggle is part of the process. Each effort, however small, contributes to the bigger picture, the lifelong project of having a memory that doesn’t decline and may even be a little better than it was yesterday.
If you’re interested in improving your memory or want to learn how to keep your brain at its best, you can book in for a 1-on-1 coaching session or explore my memory courses.
