I’ve got a simple question for you today: Do you believe you can learn?
Now, you might be thinking, “Of course I can learn.” And I believe that too. But my question isn’t about your ability—it's about your beliefs around your learning. Because what you believe about yourself as a learner matters. A lot.
We’ve all heard phrases like “be a continual learner” or “be a lifelong learner.” Those are great principles. But if you’re nodding on the outside while quietly thinking, “Yeah, but that’s not really me,” then we’ve got something to talk about.
Many people carry around silent assumptions about what they can or can’t learn. Maybe you’ve told yourself something like, “I can never figure out technology,” or “I’ve just never been good at public speaking.” When you think that way, you’re reinforcing a belief that holds you back. And the longer you hold onto those beliefs, the more they become self-fulfilling prophecies.
But here’s the truth: learning doesn’t usually happen in a flash. Mastery doesn’t come after trying something once. Real learning happens after the fall, the fumble, the frustration.
If you want to be a more effective learner—and I believe that’s key to being a more effective leader—you have to start by building your belief in yourself as a learner. And here are two ways you can do that:
1. Reconsider Your School Experience
Maybe you did great in school. Maybe you didn’t. Maybe you loved it. Maybe you hated it. Regardless of your experience, I want to challenge you with this truth:
School does not equal learning.
Sure, we went to school to learn. But just because school didn’t go well for you doesn’t mean you’re not capable of learning. What we need to learn today—especially as adults, professionals, and leaders—has little to do with grades or standardized tests. And the good news? You’re older and wiser now. You’ve got more tools and context than you did back then.
2. Look Back at Your Learning Wins
I want you to think about a time—any time—when you learned something successfully. It might’ve been recent. It might’ve been years ago. It might have happened on the job or at home. But I guarantee you’ve had learning wins.
Now ask yourself:
What did I do that made that success possible?
Did I ask for help? Did I read or study? Did I just keep practicing until it clicked?
Once you know what worked, you can do it again. In fact, I encourage you to repeat the lessons from your past learning successes. And don’t forget the role persistence played. Chances are, you didn’t succeed the first time. But you stayed with it. You improved a little at a time. That persistence—that grit—is part of what made you successful.
Your Past is the Template for Your Future
The point here is simple: if you’ve done it before, you can do it again. When you’re in the middle of a learning challenge and feel stuck or frustrated, remind yourself of the last time you pushed through something hard. That memory is your template. It’s your proof.
You can learn. You have learned. And you will again.
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