Love Learning

Creating the conditions for Service with a HUG to happen naturally

Reading time: 6 minutes

What are you discovering about yourself?

Isn’t that what learning is about – uncovering potential that has yet to be expressed?

When we stop and think about it, life can seem like one great big learning journey of working out what matters most to us.

The journey of becoming.

Whether we focus on it or not, life is unfolding and we’re not the same person we were ten years ago. Or a year ago. Or even yesterday.

By having more awareness, we can consciously choose how to become the person our heart tells us we can be.

I heard something the other day in the context of sport that really landed with me:

“You’re either winning or you’re learning” (Source – Michael Brett)

What this says to me is there’s always a positive we can take from every situation, even when life doesn’t go according to plan.

I guess most of us would prefer to be winning (in other words, getting what we want).

The real treasure.

What if the real treasure is the learning? After all, it’s contributing to the next version of ourselves.

I believe that learning is something that can occur in any situation. It’s the result of a mindset we bring to the moment.

An attitude of learning is what some refer to as ‘beginners mind’. It’s a mind that is open and receptive to thinking differently. It’s an openness to new perspectives, other ways of experiencing the world.

A neutral perspective has no agenda – which is a perfect environment for learning to occur effortlessly.

The biggest barrier to learning…

…is thinking we already know. The mind is closed. An open mind is more curious. It asks questions. It challenges what it currently believes.

Years ago, as a new manager, I believed that I should have all the answers. Well, that’s how to put yourself under pressure!

And yet, is it really possible? How can we know everything about everything?

It’s perfectly acceptable to say we don’t know.

I’d go further than that. It’s also really honest to say we don’t know. It’s being real. And it’s factually correct. We can’t know everything there is to know. And even when it’s something we would say we know really well, there’s always more to learn.

Perhaps it’s the perfect answer to any question. I don’t know.

To believe we know is to shut down other possibilities. I’d say it’s much better to stay curious. Of course, I can’t know that for sure.

How do you prefer to learn?

“Some people are so wise, they learn from observing the mistakes of other people. The rest of us ARE the other people!” (Source unknown)

Awareness of what makes learning fun for us changes the experience.

Have you ever asked yourself what works best for you?

Are you someone who jumps straight in and figures it out as you go along?
Or maybe you prefer to take the time to study all the facts, theories, data and have a more structured approach?
Maybe you have a specific goal such as playing a musical instrument to a certain standard. This would involve a highly practical approach to learning. David Gilmour didn’t master the guitar from just reading a book. No doubt there was quite a bit practice involved.

Getting inspired.

A huge part of learning is determined by how much it means to you. What will keep you motivated as you experience setbacks and frustrations?

Who or what inspires you? A person, an activity, a situation, a place?

Even if you’re not physically there, it’s possible to connect with the energy of it using the imagination. Doing so changes how we feel.

What do you want?

Take a moment to think about what matters to you.

And ask yourself what you are doing about it.

This is an invitation to step forward and take ownership. Perhaps the mind has been focused on all the ‘reasons why not’. I’ve certainly experienced that myself many times.

Who are you being invited to become?

Liz Gilbert, author of the book ‘Eat Pray Love’ has a lovely way of thinking about this. She calls it Earth School.

We are all at Earth School. Maybe we’re studying different subjects, but I believe that’s what is really going on. For all of us.

I don’t know for sure. Although I do have a strong suspicion.

Turbocharge your learning.

“I used to think that God gave me children so that I could teach them all I know. I now realise it’s the other way round.” (Source unknown)

Want to take it to the next level?

Teach it. Teach what you are learning.

Huh? Surely you have to learn it before you can teach it?

Exactly. That’s my point. By making that commitment to others, learning is no longer optional for you.

If you’re learning a sport, teach it to kids. They’ll keep you honest.

If you’re learning about leadership, teach what you know to aspiring leaders.