Small Beginnings-The Value of Learning Something New for Our Brain Health

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” 

Zechariah 4:10

Wisdom from God's Word as we head into the weekend

How do you approach learning something new? Do you look forward to it as a time of growth, or dread feeling incompetent at the start? God's Word and neuroscience give us insight into the value of small beginnings.

It's never too late to learn something new-it challenges our faith and is good for brain health, too!

This week, my oldest son has been home from college for fall break, and we’ve enjoyed unseasonably lovely weather here in South Texas. I mentioned to him that I agreed to go to a networking event at a golf course in a couple of weeks, and he reminded me that I don’t exactly know how to play. He offered to take me to the range to hit some balls so hopefully, I can bluff my way through the event. 

As we worked our way through our buckets of balls, we both caught ourselves saying things like, “That was a terrible shot,” “I’m awful at this,” or “I’m so bad at golf.” After a few minutes, I asked him, “I wonder how we’d feel if we turned what we’re saying around? Instead of, “I’m so bad,” what if we just said, “I’m playing like a beginner?” 

I’m unsure if he ever fully bought in, but it helped change my perspective. Now, each missed ball or slack in my posture was not evidence of my failure but motivation for growth. I’m not bad; I’m just a beginner. I don’t have to beat myself up for not knowing how to do something. Instead, I can get excited about learning a new skill and challenge myself to keep trying things that lead to growth.

In our culture, especially for adults, we don’t often give ourselves permission to be at the starting line. Instead of the challenge of learning something new, we focus on how far away we are from perfection. Instead of humbly learning, we try to figure out ways (like going to the range two weeks before an event) to not look like an amateur. How silly we are! If I’m too afraid to be a beginner and look a little foolish, I might miss out on exciting opportunities to grow and learn. 

Small Beginnings

In the book of Zechariah (a minor prophet in the Old Testament), the people of Israel had been in Exile in Babylon for nearly 70 years. Their sin and rebellion had cost them not only their ancestral land but their beloved temple. Built during Solomon’s reign, it was a magnificent center of Mesopotamian culture but was destroyed when the people left Israel. As the people prepared to return to the land, the thought of rebuilding the massive structure felt overwhelming. The ones who would be a part of rebuilding had never built something so grand before—they weren’t even alive when the temple was torn down! Now, they would be charged with the responsibility to return it to its former glory and make a place worthy of the coming Messiah. I’m sure they felt unworthy and unqualified for the job. 

In Zechariah 4:10, an angel tells the prophet, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” At first, Zerubbabel was overwhelmed by the task. He spent nearly two years repairing the foundation, and the whole project was delayed seventeen additional years as Israel contended with foreign enemies. Finally, God sent two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, to encourage the governor, and the important work resumed. Encouraged by fresh vision and purpose, the Israelites banded together and completed the important task in four short years. 

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”  -Zechariah 4:10

Some elders who remembered the former temple criticized Zerubbabel's work, which was smaller in scale and completed with fewer resources. God, however, was pleased with the people’s efforts, which allowed temple worship to resume after seventy long years of exile. This smaller, more humble temple would receive the highest distinction nearly 500 years later when it became where Jesus would worship, teach, and pray.

New beginnings are powerful opportunities for us to stretch our thinking, initiate new relationships, and explore additional avenues for loving God and making a difference in the world. They help keep our brains active and increase neuroplasticity. One study suggests that frequently learning new and difficult real-world skills can increase our cognitive abilities, such as working memory and cognitive control, especially as we age. In fact, there is evidence to support that the learning that happens in skill acquisition, more than the learning involved in skill maintenance helps our brains to rewire and grow.

The Conscious Competence Model and Brain Health

Noel Burch's Conscious Competence model, developed in the 1970s, outlines the stages of learning a new skill and resonates significantly with today’s understanding of neurogenesis and neuroplasticity. His model, consisting of four stages—Unconscious Incompetence, Conscious Incompetence, Conscious Competence, and Unconscious Competence—describes how we move from not knowing what we don't know to eventually mastering a skill so well that it becomes automatic.

Burch's Four Stages:

1. Unconscious Incompetence – You don't know what you don't know.

2. Conscious Incompetence – You recognize what you don’t know and realize you need to learn.

3. Conscious Competence – You know how to perform the skill but need to focus and think through each step.

4. Unconscious Competence – The skill becomes second nature, and you can perform it without conscious thought.

This model correlates closely with how neurogenesis (the creation of new neurons) and neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to form and reorganize synaptic connections) work as we learn new skills.

We're learning the most in our zones of Conscious Incompetence and Conscious Competence

Neuroplasticity and Burch's Model

Neuroplasticity supports the idea that the brain is adaptable and changes its structure in response to new learning and experiences. When someone is in the Unconscious Incompetence stage, their brain has not yet formed the necessary connections for the skill. However, as they become aware of their incompetence (Conscious Incompetence), and begin practicing (Conscious Competence), their brain strengthens neural pathways through repetitive practice. Over time, through synaptic pruning (where unused connections are eliminated and useful ones are reinforced), these pathways become more efficient, ultimately leading to Unconscious Competence.

Modern research on neuroplasticity shows that specific cortical remapping occurs as we move through these learning stages. Brain regions are responsible for the skill growth in response to training. For example, studies of musicians or athletes demonstrate that the more they practice, the more their motor cortex or other relevant brain regions adapt to the tasks required. By the time a person reaches Unconscious Competence, these neurons and connections have become solidified and efficient, contributing to automaticity—enabling you to perform the skill without conscious effort. Then, it’s time to start the process again as we continue to add skills and acquire knowledge throughout our lifetime. 

Final Thoughts

So, where can you embrace beginner status in your life right now? If you’re struggling to come up with an idea, consider this an invitation to explore something new—find a hobby, acquire a new job skill, take up a sport, learn a language, or find a unique way to give back to your community. Your body and brain will thank you when you learn to embrace “these small beginnings.” 

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Sources:

• Leanos S, Kurum E, Ditta A, Rebok G, Wu R. The Impact of Learning Multiple New Skills on Cognitive Development and Functional Independence In Older Adulthood. Innov Aging. 2018 Nov 16;2(Suppl 1):1004. 

• Kandel, E.R. (2006). In Search of Memory: The Emergence of a New Science of Mind.

• Doidge, N. (2007). The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science.

• Johansen-Berg, H., & D’Esposito, M. (Eds.). (2013). Handbook of Functional Neuroimaging of Cognition.

• Squire, L. R., & Kandel, E. R. (2009). Memory: From Mind to Molecules.