Why Commit to Lifelong Learning?
An investment in knowledge pays the best interest — Benjamin Franklin
Learning how to learn better builds knowledge and wisdom therefore creating intrinsic motivation for lifelong learning.
Learning is important because we don’t know what we don’t know. Once you know you know, you know? By learning something new we build confidence because our understanding deepens. Like plant roots growing longer and stronger as it receives water and light. Learning is important because you’ll be more effective at processing information which means you’ll acquire skills. Developing skills will increase your confidence because you’ll grow competence in new arenas. Gladiators that held the highest skills were more likely to triumph after confidently stepping into the arena. Round one. Fight!
Did you know that a ‘gladiator’ in ancient Rome comes from the Latin word ‘gladius’ which means sword?
When I first started skateboarding as a child I could not perform the most technical basic trick, the ollie. I would excitedly watch the older boys execute huge ollie’s and land flawlessly. I was in awe! I remember thinking ‘how do
they do that?’ In hindsight I realised that the question is the answer. Radley, a local skateboarder kindly showed me the mechanics of an ollie. He broke it down into three simple steps to explain how to do an ollie:
Step one: tap the tail of the skateboard.
Step two: slide your front foot up towards the nose.
Step three: jump.
Now, I can confidently say that since I started skateboarding many moons ago and have performed thousands upon thousands of ollie’s. I love the process of learning and applying new skills to have fun!
Now it’s your turn. What will you decide to learn next?
Adopt a ‘growth mindset’ so that you learn to become intrinsically
motivated to learn for the sake of learning. To start to adopt a growth mindset when facing any problem start saying:
“I don’t know how to do this, yet”.
‘Yet’ is the most important word here because humans have an ability to learn almost anything. Remember this every day by including this word in your language. By adopting a growth mindset you will begin to shift from extrinsic to intrinsic motivation to learn. You will then be in a powerful position to commit to lifelong learning.
Start small.
For example:
Close your eyes and breathe in for three seconds and breathe out for three seconds.
Repeat three times.
What’s most important is starting. If you decide you want to go to the gym,
most of us know the hardest part is actually getting there. Once we arrive it’s much simpler to carry on. Make sure you commit to your meditation practice consistently, in whatever capacity suits you, for at least three weeks. For example, even one minute of meditation repeated daily for three weeks is better than nothing.
The powerful and mentally healthy habit of regular meditation will result in you building your brain strength and power. You will become strong in mind because after three weeks your practice will become an ingrained habit. You will certainly start to feel the results. Let me know how you go. In addition, you will increase the neuroplasticity of your brain resulting in ‘restoring old, lost connections and functions that have not been used in some time, enhance memory, and even enhance overall cognitive skills’ (positivepsychology.com/neuroplasticity)
By adopting a powerful growth mindset you will be empowered to harness the power of ‘yet’. You will take that risk and attempt any challenge you want because you know that to be the best you must put in the effort. You must not give in to any F.E.A.R of failure because you know that you will learn and fail forward. Be patient with this and your confidence will skyrocket. Boom!
Thank you for reading,
Please feel free to also read: 3 Potent Ways You Can Take Your Power back
Adapted from:
Confide: The New Psychology of Confidence. How to Power Up after Experiencing Depression (2019)
HERE for updates on: Work Is Mental: Rethinking Future Workplace Mental Health (Out May 2021)
