How To Learn Differently With Impact
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”
- Henry Ford
There’s no specific age for learning. It is a continuing process that helps us navigate and evolve successfully and meaningfully in work and life. Effective learning and application bring tangible benefits and positive impact to all spheres of our lives. Most people don't give sufficient thought to this beyond their formal education phase but the reality is that this becomes all the more relevant and important afterwards.
How can we make our learning experiences more effective and impactful in today's world, at any stage of career?
1. Develop self-awareness and learning approach based on our own learning preferences and styles.
We all have certain learning styles, preferences and appropriate paces. It is important to identify our own learning style and preference. Understanding our learning preference (visual, auditory, reading-writing, kinesthetic) and applying it accordingly can improve the quality of our learning experience, retention and effectiveness tremendously. Focus and self-discipline are core elements of any learning process. Similar to building physical muscles by exercising constantly, it is important to build mental muscles through disciplined process and habits, aligned to our own styles.
Three key questions to think about at the starting point of any learning process:
- Why I am learning this, Why is this important and valuable for me?
- What do I want to achieve?
- How and When do I get to my target outcomes?
If our answers are aligned to our own interests, passion, values and priorities, the probability of a successful and impactful learning experience is high.
2. Reap the benefits of social learning.
Learning becomes deeper and richer when we discuss with others and are exposed to multiple perspectives. One option is to interact actively and work with a diverse group on cross functional projects. Being able to synthesize various inputs is a highly required skill in today’s world. Awareness of the ability of one’s own ego to disrupt or block our learning experience and growth is extremely important. Staying curious with an open mind and growth mindset, at every stage of one's career supports intense personal growth. A closed mind is perhaps the biggest block to any learning or impactful growth, at the individual and organizational level.
3. Use multiple sources and media.
There is so much knowledge accessible today in the public domain through various formats, made easy through mobile devices and ubiquitous internet connectivity. The opportunity to stay updated on the latest developments in any area and learn from the experts at our own preferred pace, irrespective of location is tremendous. Sometimes, the challenge is figuring out where to find true value. Building interactions and following thought leaders may help provide valuable leads. It's sometimes astounding to see how many people still don't use the available resources today.
4. Create an attractive learning environment.
It is important that we feel good about and even enjoy our learning experience. Neuroscience studies show that our brains function much efficiently when it is not in a ‘threat’ state. Even if learning may involve tough or complex work, a fun, respectful, stretching and open environment, involving refreshing variety of learning approaches, questions and great colleagues to interact openly with may contribute to an enjoyable and impactful learning experience. Our mindset matters. Each one of us can contribute to an environment in the way we show up and through the behaviors we exhibit.
5. Find time and space for constant reflection and conscious practice.
It is very easy to get too busy in today's environment. We should be constantly mindful of the paradox of busyness and development. For learning to be impactful, it is extremely important to find time for constant reflection and adjustment in our practice based on our approaches, experiences, and environments. Reflection also helps us to work out course corrections. When we also help others reflect and grow, the quality of our own thinking and learning improves.
Countries and organizations that want to grow will need people who have the hunger and openness to learn and grow continuously.
Wishing all in India a Happy Independence Day weekend.
"...Learn as if you were to live forever.”
- Mahatma Gandhi
“Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is.”
- Isaac Asimov
Image Credit:
https://pixabay.com/en/baby-eyes-learning-watch-child-1332209/
