Life-long learning has been proved to be one of the ways to stay relevant and not get disrupted by machines.
Acquiring new knowledge is a such an integral part of your life - you need to learn how to absorb new knowledge and eventually create your own knowledge - which is key to not only to your advancement.
It is clear that for us to advance an indeed continue to proliferate the survival of human existence. we will need to learn how to effectively and efficiently learn new skills - over the course of our lives!
So.... what do we need to to learn how to learn ?
There is a great article by Erika Anderson https://hbr.org/amp/2016/03/learning-to-learn
that shares 4 attributes needed to learn how to learn all based around your mindset.
- aspiration - you truly need to want to learn new skills
- self-awareness
- curiosity,
- and vulnerability.
Well worth a read
Below are 6 C’s that will help you to learn how to learn
(Following the theme of the 5C’s of BBG -coined by Monica Graham - connection, collaboration, contribution, continuity and community)
Cerebral - Mindset
A Mindset shift to change your focus from challenges to benefits - self talk is key
Think about the last time your company adopted a new approach—overhauled a reporting system, developed Referron , replaced a CRM platform, revamped the supply chain. Were you eager to go along? I doubt it.
Your initial response was probably to justify not learning. (It will take too long. The old way works just fine for me. I bet it’s just a flash in the pan.)
When confronted with new learning, this is often our first roadblock: We focus on the negative and unconsciously reinforce our lack of aspiration.
When you want to learn something, you focus on what you’ll gain from learning it—and envision a happy future in which you’re reaping those rewards.
That propels you into action.
Chunk it
Focus on the process vs the finished product
If you are writing a novel, focus on the chapter at hand. If you are writing software focus on the iteration, you are on right now, and everything will eventually connect.
Procrastination is a killer - and I am so good at it! delaying or postponing something that you are very well aware of needs to be done. If this is a problem work our strategies on how to deal with procrastination.
Emails, whatsapp, LinkedIn , Facebook notifications, tiktoks , YouTube and anything else that gets your mind off your task - shut it down so you can chunk that knowledge into your brain.
You have got to know the signals that get you off your attention spree and learn to shut them down for a period.
You can reward yourself after you have accomplished your goal, by maybe doing some social media!
Learning in short bursts followed by either taking a nap, social media or doing some exercise helps your brain make the necessary neural connections that build long-lasting chunks of knowledge into your long time memory.
Challenge yourself
Be comfortable being uncomfortable and vulnerable - by testing your knowledge by doing challenges that will force you to remember what you studied.
Continuity is king and Queen
Practice is key , and going deep into the subject over a period of time - plan your activities
Collaboration
It is much easier learning with others - especially if you know like and trust them
Building long term relationships with people who are interested in like minded things will hold you in good stead
Coach and having a mentor
Having a mentor or coach that cares about you is key to your ability to learn and get you to your top game. There is a reason why top athletes and CEOs have coaches!
How cool would it be for BBG to create a process to enable lifelong learning!
