I posed a question on Twitter recently, asking folks what their habits were for lifelong learning. I appreciated reading responses and revisiting this idea of making active learning something we constantly pursue.
The article I shared with my tweet was from Jeff Goins, author of The Art of Work, and it included three habits of lifelong learners:
- Realize how little you know
- Act like an apprentice
- Become someone’s case study
While those are terrific thought-starters, how you become a lifelong learner is up to you. In one of my first blogs, I talked about this concept – that there’s a lot more to getting ahead these days than just good grades and smarts.
By that, I mean the brightest of the bright can sometimes get derailed by what they’ve learned and how they react to change. Their past success just doesn’t wire them for winning in today’s fast-paced and changing landscape.
The same is true now – years later – as the rapid rate of innovation and change only accelerates. Being agile – adapting and learning – is crucial, so we’re not falling behind.
How you get there is up to you. But it requires an active and lifelong learning mentality. To succeed in today’s innovative culture, we all have to act differently, be willing to test and learn, and pivot when the world takes us in a different direction.
As I noted in that earlier blog, be sure to stay curious and embrace change. Look for opportunities to pursue innovation with an open mind. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and try new things. Let yourself fail along the way.
What other habits of lifelong learning do you seek? Here are what some ideas to get you thinking.
Read, ask a lot of questions, research, formal class training, and ask more questions
— Dan Beltran (@danbeltran09) October 26, 2017
Stay continually curious, don’t assume you have the answer, do things that make you uncomfortable, always look for opps to grow and learn.
— BethAnn Meier (@BAMeier) October 26, 2017
Read, listen, read. Continuously curios.
— Rob Quesnel (@AmfamQ) October 26, 2017
Meet people and learn their stories. Seek out new challenges. Replace wasted time with learning.
— Matt Wheeler (@Matt_Wheel) October 26, 2017
I listen to one podcast every day and read at least one book per month and have had this habit for six years. Love learning!!
— John Mullins (@jmullinsagency) October 27, 2017
Being open minded to new approaches and topics and setting aside 30 minutes each day to read.
— Mike Constantine (@DeeksKid) October 26, 2017
What would you add? Leave a comment here, or reply to my original tweet.
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