Make Calculated Mistakes!

One of the most important aspects of learning new skills that most people neglect is the power and beauty of the mistake. When a mistake occurs there is a profound moment of pure learning that you will not find anywhere else. I’m not saying take a running start for the stairwell here; calculated mistakes are the best. Make mistakes in a place where you can estimate the severity of the outcome of the mistakes and where you have an exit strategy in order to maintain your personal safety.

For instance, protect your toes. Objects near your feet can be hard to perceive, so wear shoes that allow you to kick things like curbstones and end tables without being injured. Wear a visor cap so that your nose or forehead isn’t the first thing to smack into low-hanging tree branches or shelves. Another option would be to have a sighted guide act as a spotter just to notify you of impending danger. 

Once you have addressed your personal safety and feel that you understand the severity of the potential hazards around you, it’s time to make mistakes. 

In order to improve your current physical and mental limitations you will need to push your limits. Your physical and mental limitations are generally governed by your level of self-confidence. In order to challenge and exceed those limits you will essentially need to be over-confident and fail. This will allow you to first, understand the limitations, and then figure out how to exceed them. Determine the little things, the details that you can adjust or focus on in order to improve your ability to echolocate. 

Now that you are ready to make mistakes, you are ready to begin experiencing echolocation.