I want to help you not just survive, but THRIVE in these crazy times. I’m sending you this daily dose of inspiration, because if we set our compass right, we can sail through this!
“Tranquillity comes when you stop caring what THEY say, think, or do… Only what you do.” – Marcus Aurelius
Tip # 38: Be a Learner
See yourself as a ‘learner’ – someone who is always growing and developing. Decide to learn something new every day, actively seeking out new knowledge and developing new skills. It is also a powerful practice to spend time reflecting on your day, to discover what you learned (or how you grew) from the experiences you had and how this new growth will change what you do in future.
Until relatively recently it was thought that we stopped learning and developing once we became adults. “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. This myth has thankfully been shattered by scientists and psychologists in recent decades. Understanding that we can rewire our brains, create new habits and continue to grow throughout our lives is exciting – it puts the ball firmly in our court for how we want to evolve in our lifetime.
Developing the habit of being a learner has far reaching effects in your life and will help you to develop a growth mindset (where you replace shame, frustration and defeat with learning from mistakes, optimism and resilience).
Some simple ways to develop the habit of being a learner are:
1) If something is interesting to you – go deeper into it! Follow your curiosity. You don’t need to see a definite outcome for what you will do with the information, but learn for the sake of learning. You will be amazed where the knowledge or ability you develop might lead you.
2) In your work life, put in the effort to pick up skills and knowledge that will drive both your success and personal satisfaction. Go the extra mile to become an expert in what you do or broaden your skill set.
3) Ask for advice and feedback – then listen openly to what comes back. Many people fall into the trap of being defensive to feedback. Choose to see the generosity in people’s advice, knowing that you can choose what you do with it. Instead of getting defensive, ask for more detail.
Follow your curiosity – if you feel energised by learning something, dive into it, even if you don’t yet know how it will be ‘useful’. Developing the skill of learning and a growth mindset will build resilience and a sense of adventure in your work and life.
Recommended Reading
Mindset (Updated Edition): Changing The Way You think To Fulfil Your Potential, by Carol Dweck
World-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck, in decades of research on achievement and success, has discovered a truly groundbreaking idea-the power of our mindset.
