LIFE LONG LEARNING. What’s On Your To Learn List?
If I had a million dollars…..
Does anyone else remember playing this game when they were younger? I remember playing this all the time.
If I had a million dollars… I would travel the world and become a forever student. Academia, basket weaving, doesn't matter to me; I just want to learn new things and see the wonders of the world. I look back on this now and recognize this love of learning has been with me my whole life. Here's the thing though, learning is so much more than academia; it also includes life lessons and exploring curiosity.
Let’s look at Leonardo da Vinci. An Italian polymath of the High Renaissance who was active as a painter, draughtsman, engineer, scientist, theorist, sculptor, and architect. Is it possible to cultivate the mind of Leonardo Da Vinci? I believe it is. Most people keep a to-do list, but Leonardo didn’t just write down things he needed to do. He also wrote down things he wanted to learn. Essentially, he kept a “to-learn” list.
This can come in many forms. It can be books you want to read, classes you want to take, facts you want to learn more about and skills that support you professionally, but also learning new skills that bring you joy.
Let’s take a further look at how to craft your own “to learn” list.
Research suggests that people who practice continuous or lifelong learning are happier on average. Lifelong learning supports people in developing their passions and interests, which bring us happiness. To start, simply brainstorm all the things that interest you with full permission, no second guessing. This list is personal to you. What are you curious about, what would feel fun for you? This can include things like taking a dance class, learning about art, cooking a new dish or taking up a new hobby that you’re interested in learning more about.
What books do you want to read? “In my whole life, I have known no wise people (over a broad subject matter area) who didn’t read all the time — none. Zero,” says Charlie Munger, Self-made billionaire & Warren Buffett’s longtime business partner. Create a list of books you want to read (suggestions from friends or apps online), feel free to set a goal and track your progress over the year.
Are there any life skills that you want to explore further? Life has a funny way of repeating patterns until we learn what we need to learn. Take stock of any ongoing patterns that keep coming up for you. Could you benefit from more confidence, resilience? What would you like to explore?
Professional skill sets matter. The Fourth Industrial Revolution refers to the rapid rise of new technologies including big data, artificial intelligence, automation, and the Internet of Things. As lifespans lengthen and new jobs and skills requirements change, it's important you take inventory of what will support your professional path.
Lifelong learning is the ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. Being a lifelong learner means you adopt a growth mindset and have an innate curiosity about the world. Be curious. Explore. Experiment, Try new things. Keep learning and keep reflecting.
What's on your “to learn list”?