The secret to learning morse code?

The most important factor in learning morse code is actually very simple.

PERSEVERE.

You have enrolled in this course because you want to learn something new.  Something challenging.  Something useful and special in the world of amateur radio.

I'm asking each of you to trust the process in which you have enrolled.

Make a promise to yourself. 

"I'm going to see this process through all the way to the end.  Especially when I find myself struggling."

If you can make that commitment to yourself.  YOU WILL SUCCEED.

Everyone struggles learning morse code at some point.  EVERYONE.  Therefore, the only way to learn morse code is to overcome those obstacles.  Those that refuse to allow obstacles to stop them, WILL SUCCEED!

Give yourself permission to struggle.  Embrace the struggle.  Welcome it.  Know that it is part of the process.

There may be times that it will seem as though you will never, "get it."

Don't fall into that trap.  Persevere.  Trust the process and keep working.  Keep practicing.  Keep attending class.  Talk to me.  Talk to your fellow students.  We are all here to help each other.  Nobody is alone.

Welcoming the struggle may seem like a strange concept, but it's extremely important.

When something comes easy or free, it has very little value.

When something takes time and effort, it increases in value. 

This is true with everything in life.  Morse Code is no different.

Welcome the struggle?  ABSOLUTELY!  Welcome it because it is the struggle itself that will set you apart.  Welcome the struggle because you want to prove to yourself that you are strong enough to persevere.  Welcome the struggle because overcoming the obstacles will make you a better person and a better amateur radio operator.

Some people will pick things up faster than others initially.  It always happens that way.  When you observe this happening, keep in mind that how quickly someone initially learns the code is not an indicator of that person's ultimate skill level.  Some of the best CW operators I know struggled enormously when first learning the code.  Sometimes it takes a while for the code to "click in" to someone's brain.  When it does and the new language begins to flow, it's a magical feeling.

Conversely, some people who initially learn the code very easily never progress very far and eventually give up.  This is another trap to avoid.  Just because you started off picking things up easily doesn't guarantee that will continue forever.  EVERYONE STRUGGLES AT SOME POINT.  Don't quit just because you hit a bump in the road.

It's the way each of us reacts when we encounter the obstacles that makes the difference.  Those that trust the process and keep working will eventually succeed.  Those that over-react and tell themselves, "I'll never get this" are creating their own problem.  Those that persevere and trust the process will "get this."

When you see a child first learn to walk, do they fall down a lot?  Of course they do.  Sometimes they fall and hurt themselves.  However, with perseverance and practice, they eventually learn to walk.

Every once in a while one of those children grows up to become an Olympic Sprinter.  How quickly they learned to walk as a child has very little to do with their world class talent.  Their perseverance to fully develop their God given talent to its maximum potential is what got them to the Olympics, not the few wobbly strides as a toddler.

I'm not promising any of you will become a metaphorical Olympic Morse Code champion.  That's not what this course is about.  This course is about taking those first wobbly steps, falling down a few times, getting back up, and trying again until each of you learns to walk the morse code path.

If you do not give up on yourself.  I won't give up on you, and neither should any of your new friends that are also taking this course.

This course is not a race.  You are not competing against other students.  In fact, we are all here to help each other.  When each of us sees a student struggling, reach out to help them.  Encourage them.  Practice with them.  Sooner or later, you may be the one struggling, and will appreciate others helping you work through whatever is giving you difficulty.  That is the power of learning morse code through this course.  It's also the most enjoyable part of the process.  Don't cheat yourself out of the best part! 

The only person you are competing against is yourself from yesterday. 

If you attend the classes, follow the instructions, and practice in between classes, you will get better.  Sometimes it may be difficult for you to see your own improvement, but it will occur.  Just try to get better each day.

TRUST THE PROCESS.

Allow your brain the time it needs to form new neural connections.  (Several weeks in perfect laboratory conditions.)  The only way those new neural connections will happen is if you keep practicing, even when you are struggling.  Especially when you are struggling.

When those new neural connections finally hook together, you'll be amazed at how much easier things will become.  You'll wonder why you ever struggled.  You'll rejoice and maybe do a happy dance.

Then you'll find another obstacle and do it all over again.

Expect struggles.  Embrace them.  Their existence means you are learning.  Don't cheat yourself from each opportunity to learn as it comes along.

You won't be sorry.

Beginning July 8, we all get to enjoy helping each other struggle together.  What could be better?

I'm looking forward to it.  I hope you are too.

Repeat your promise to yourself every day until July 8:

"I'm going to see this process through all the way to the end.  Especially when I find myself struggling."

Mark,

NRØR