Willingness to learn something new is an inherent part of life but often it comes last on our priority list. All we need is a little elbow grease and the effort to learn because if one wants it, seeks it, and is inspired by it, one will make the way for it. In this article, we learn simple and effective ways of making learning continuous and the journey inspiring.
One can be very senior and with several years of experience, but when in a class be the curious learner, be the first one to give the right answer, put your hand out to be the presenter or the group leader. Ask all questions, do not hold back. It’s ok to ask all naïve questions, your years on the back should not stop you from learning.
The quest for having Development Plans, Learning plans and then working on them, has always existed and continues for an employee, the manager and the HR partner alike. To think of it, it’s a kind of an Oxymoron that a structure, or a process, or someone has to tell one to do something which adds to their own growth.
Not only tell but send reminders and updates!! But this is reality, hand in heart we all want to spend time in learning, even if sometimes we think we know it all, we know there is so much more to know. Also, learning is not just what one needs to do for a career or profession, but there are learnings to be gathered for life in general, and sometimes just for the joy of learning. In some form, these do happen, but do we really, not only spend time but find the time for it, do we follow up on it like our work targets, or our family goals, mostly not.
Learning goals also do exist somewhere but often they are last on the list when the priority list is made. Whenever it comes to spending that time to learn there is some reason or the other, one has, for why it didn’t happen or could not be prioritised.
So, in a nutshell, we all want to learn and enjoy it, develop from it, but are laid back about it, are unable to give it the focus it needs thus, there is want to learn, but not full effort or sometimes not seen to its end. If we were to learn simple ways of how within the same time, with all the other priorities, we can still prioritise learning and become conscious about it, it will be a start of a never-ending journey of growth, and joy, something which will not need extra effort but will become an essential part of who we are.
Thus, here are a few hacks for moving from wanting to learn to seek it.
Crystallize Your Milestones
It is important to crystallize goals that are part of one’s envisioned journey to whatever extent one has thought of it. What are the short-term goals of learning that one wants to achieve, those milestones which will move on to their ultimate career and life’s aim? Keeping a mix of learning goals, some for career, some for life, and others. Getting the goals in place is the hardest part, but once done, one is all set to move ahead to achieve them. Once you have them, review them as a target, where you are, what you could or could not, and what needs to be done more. Do a quarterly review and make your own scorecard.
Take That Step
Once you have the goals, take that first step without too much thinking, enrol in that program, that workshop, or whichever form of learning you prefer. But something which has a structure. As you are learning to be a Conscious Seeker, it’s important to put a structure around it as you need to have something which needs to propel you structurally in the beginning. There is so much delight when your passion for something meets just the right structured learning, which adds skill to interest.
Add Variety, Dare Yourself
As you take this step remember to keep yourself excited and inspired. Add a variety, a workshop, a book, a mentor, an online course, learn by doing. Feed your enthusiasm to learn every time by learning through different modes. To this also add things that you think you can never learn, that are just not for you. Dare Yourself, Challenge Yourself and you will be surprised with your own ability. You will also become your own inspiration in the process of what you will achieve. Keep feeding this fire and adding to it. And some of the things are never out of fashion, get new stationery, make notes.
Be Competitive
Be competitive, aim for the highest marks or merit in assessments, aim to win in-class quizzes, be the first one to give the right answers, participate with full energy. When you are in it, then be in it and ensure you give your best. One can be very senior and with several years of experience, but when in a class be the curious learner, be the first one to give the right answer, put your hand out to be the presenter or the group leader. Ask all questions, do not hold back. It’s ok to ask all naïve questions, your years on the back should not stop you from learning. This will ensure lots of learning and lots of energy and excitement in the process, which will propel you further.
Ask for Support
It is tough to find the right time for all of this when dealing with things at work and home but find it and commit to it for yourself. Plan your other chores accordingly, seek help from people at work and home to support your learning plan. If one wants it, seeks it and is inspired by it, one will make the way for it.
Share your Learnings
Lastly, something which will ensure one feels the real happiness of learning is to share your learnings, pay it forward. Inspire others to learn and share. Make use of your knowledge to make someone learn, support someone with your knowledge. Sharing learnings enhances them, this is the ultimate reality.
All the above are easier said than done, but if one wants it, one will.
