We're diving into a topic that affects all of us, whether we're conscious of it or not. You see, most of us are intermittent learners. Now, before you raise an eyebrow, let me explain what I mean.
The Intermittent Learning Trap
From the moment we set foot in a school, we're programmed to learn in spurts. Think about it. School starts, we hit the books hard, and then summer rolls around, and we're officially "off." The cycle continues through higher education and often into our professional lives. Need to learn something new for work? We enroll in a course, attend a seminar, or read a book and consider the matter handled. While this approach has its merits, it's not doing us any long-term favors.
The Limits of Event-Based Learning
Event-based or "intermittent" learning has some perks, sure. It's structured and often comes with a nice, neat certificate at the end. But let's be real, it doesn't necessarily make us more effective leaders or human beings. We attend these events, get a dose of knowledge, and then what? We go back to our daily grind and slowly but surely, that freshly-acquired knowledge starts to fade.
The Four Pillars of Continual Learning
Here's my call to action for you: Become a continual learner. I'm talking about shifting gears here. Start small but make it consistent. Here are four daily habits you can cultivate to make continual learning a part of your life.
1. Read Every Day
Not talking War and Peace here. Just pick something relevant to your goals and dedicate a few minutes to it each day.
2. Watch or Listen Every Day
Podcasts, webinars, or quick videos like this one. Spend a few minutes absorbing content that can make you better at what you do.
3. Reflect Every Day
Look back on your day and think about what worked and what didn't. Take five minutes before you shut down for the day; trust me, it's a game-changer.
4. Ask Every Day
Don't just talk; listen. Ask questions—of yourself, of your team, of experts in your field. Be curious. It’s the quickest way to grow.
Creating a Learning Cadence
Now, I can almost hear some of you saying, "Kevin, I'm already swamped. How can I fit all this in?" Well, the answer is simple. You don’t have to devote half your day to these activities. Just incorporate them into the cadence of your life. A bit of reading here, a quick reflection there, and voilà—you’re continually learning!
If you're going to grow—to really grow—you need to make learning a constant part of your life. Remember, the best learners are those who learn continually, not intermittently.
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"The best learners learn continually, not intermittently. Events alone won't help you develop to your full potential." -@KevinEikenberry
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