Humans are amazing – and one of the reasons is our ability to learn. In truth, we are learning machines! Yet many/most fail to capitalize on this innate ability and use it to our advantage (or do it often enough). Overcoming this tendency is often framed as being a lifelong learner. In my experience, most think it’s a good idea, but don’t have the foggiest notion of how to do it.
Before we talk about how, a quick thought about why.
Why does being a lifelong learner matter so much?
Unfortunately, too many associate learning too closely with school. If your school experiences weren’t great or seemed irrelevant, it would be easy to dismiss the idea of lifelong learning. But when we decouple learning from school, the value becomes obvious. When we continue to learn we:
- Improve in areas that matter to us.
- Minimize repeated mistakes.
- Reduce embarrassment.
- Increase the enjoyment in our lives.
- Make life easier.
I could go on. But if we just went with the last one, it would be reason enough, don’t you think?
It's not the why - it's the how
The problem isn’t the desire, but rather this conundrum: Being a lifelong learner is a great idea. But how do I do that with everything else on my plate, all my to-dos, responsibilities, and more?
Before we tackle that question, let me reframe it slightly: How can I continually learn and grow every day to help me be more engaged, effective, and happier?
Whichever way you prefer the question, let’s tackle it now…
Be clear on your purpose/goal
This can be a big idea, like “your life purpose.” Or your why for learning could be more skill-specific – becoming a better communicator, crocheter, or cartoonist. Continual learning is easier and more effective when it starts with a purpose or a learning goal.
Be more curious
The best human learners are kids - in part because they are curious. Curiosity is the seedling from which learning can grow. Without it, there is no psychological need to learn.
Ask (more) questions
Being curious means asking more questions. Ask questions of yourself, of others, and about situations. Ask for knowledge, not just confirmation of our biases or what you already know.
Be more reflective
Look back at your last cartoon, your last meeting, your last interaction, or the last report you completed. Take the time to stop and think about what happened and what you can learn from it. Reflect on both what you did and how you did it. There are powerful learning moments in identifying what worked and what you could adjust.
Use a learning lens
With a newly defined purpose or goal comes a new perspective – a new lens through which you view the world. Use your new lens to find connections to what you want to learn. You will find learning opportunities you had not previously noticed – until you used your new lens.
Ask for feedback
Humans think they are self-aware, but the research consistently says we aren’t. We need the perspectives and insights of others to help us grow and improve. If you want to be a livelong learner, ask for more feedback more often. Then listen to and consider carefully what you hear.
Try stuff
Much of the learning we want in our lives is about skills, not just knowledge. So, if we want to be learning, we have to be trying. Trying means we will make mistakes, but that is OK. Reflecting on mistakes is the source of some of our richest learning. If you want to be a lifelong learner - try, learn, try again. Rinse and repeat.
I have just given you seven ideas, but I could have given you 77. But they are mostly incorporating learning into what we already do, not adding more tasks to our already crowded calendar. Starting with that realization makes the goal of becoming a continual, lifelong learner a lot easier to reach.
Where will you start?
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