22: Growth is NOT Automatic: Key Intentional Ways to Go to Grow | #walkwithme
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” – Henry Ford About This Episode: I believe that if you’re not learning, you’re not growing.
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”
Henry Ford
About This Episode:
I believe that if you’re not learning, you’re not growing. And if you’re not growing, you’re dying.
In this episode of “#WalkWithMe” I offer three principles and some simple practices to help us become perpetual students who can continually grow and benefit from lifelong learning.
I’ve been watching my 4-year-old son, Greyson do preschool from home, and what’s become especially apparent to me: Learning requires intention—not just for kids, but for adults.
Lifelong learning is built into our DNA. If we don’t continually move towards something, then we’re standing still. Stagnancy in life can eventually turn into other issues.
Here are three principles (beliefs) that can align our operating systems and the stories we tell ourselves:
1 – Growth is not automatic.
Growth does not come as a default with time or age. We’re put into a system of learning in our toddler years and stay in that system into early adulthood where it’s easy to follow the curriculum and do the homework. There’s no conscious intention. But when we exit that system, we assume that just because we’re existing, we’re growing and becoming wiser. But, how many of you know people who stopped the thirst for becoming better after exiting high school or college, and they’re in the same place so many years later? Growth takes intention, especially when we’re out of a system that tells us what to do. We must be our own teacher and student.
2 – Experience is the best teacher.
Personal experience is an amazing teacher, but other people’s experience is also amazing. If you put value on other people’s experience, you can learn the peaks and the valleys from those who have already gone down the path, which can help you travel your own path faster and better… the first time. It’s why modeling and mentorship are so important.
3 – Life is a constant iteration.
Life is a constant beta—there’s no finish line or point of perfection. Ask yourself how fast you can take action and get feedback so you can adapt. Value progress over perfection and be in constant pursuit of better.
Once you shift your belief system, you can change your actions. Here are some practical and tactical how-to activities that can help you continually learn.
Reading
Books are just as valuable as ever. I love the quote: Those who don’t read have no advantage of those who can’t read.
Audible is a great tool for listening to books on demand through Amazon.
Podcasts
Podcasts enable you to easily multitask while learning. Check out the new “Be You with BU” podcast from my business partner, Brian Underwood. I also highly recommend podcasts from my friends, Lewis Howes and Jay Shetty, which always top the charts.
Journaling
I have a bookshelf full of journals I’ve written over the year, and now I do digital journaling. I keep a Principles List (Life Lesson List) that enables me to collect principles, beliefs and life lessons over the past 20 years.
Mentors
Establish formal mentorships. Reach out and schedule a specific time you can intentionally sit down (a learning lunch, for example) with your mentor—and make sure to come prepared with questions.
Sharing
A great way to learn is to share what you learn—it makes that knowledge your own.
What are some tips and tools you can share that can help others intentionally learn and grow?
Mentions on the Show:
Audible (books on demand): Audible.com
Be You with BU podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-you-with-bu/id1504888429
School of Greatness podcast with Lewis Howes: https://lewishowes.com/sogpodcast/
On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-purpose-with-jay-shetty/id1450994021