4 Quirky Habits That Make Sure You Never Miss An Opportunity To Learn
Is life all about learning? Millennials are the first to believe that learning should be a lifelong process integral to achieving their personal goals. Yet, it can be tricky to maintain a student’s mindset throughout life.
The main reason why many people struggle to build up skills (both hard and soft) after graduating from college is their mindset. Indeed, learning needs to be fun and exciting, and there is joy in discovering new things. However, if you learn with the sole objective of passing a test, you are likely to make it a stressful experience.
Here are some of the best-kept secrets of those who make learning fun for themselves.
They love a good desk setting
You’ve probably heard the saying: You can learn in every situation. While there is some truth in it, it doesn’t mean you should disregard the importance of a work station. Whether you enjoy the traditional desk chair combo of your student days or prefer something more sophisticated is a matter of personal choice. If you are going to learn from a book or an online course, you need a quiet spot with a desk to take notes and focus. As inviting as the couch might be, a desk setting contributes to setting the right mindset. In contrast, the couch will only make you want to relax!
They embrace their ignorance
“I don’t know.”
Admitting your ignorance can be incredibly liberating. Not knowing something is a strength because it gives you the chance to research it. People who openly admit they don’t know the answer to a question are also the first to gather the information they need. Why? Because admitting you don’t know is the first step to staying educated. It allows people to ask questions, network, research, and continuously grow.
Saying “I don’t know” is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s where knowledge begins.
They accept that everyone can be an expert
The idea that an expert should fit within a specific category of people is wrong. Experts are individuals who have practiced intensively while receiving the support of their loved ones. According to Benjamin Bloom, professor of education at the University of Chicago, experts are made, not born. Bloom’s research showed no correlation between IQ and level of expertise. The only element that was common to all the experts he studied was the experience they gained through practice. As such, when you begin to know that practice is the only thing standing between you and expertise and performance, you feel more inclined to learn. When there is no such thing as predisposition, it means that everyone can become an expert as long as they put the work toward it.
They are not afraid to get things wrong
Making mistakes is the only way to learn. Mistakes force you to go back to the drawing board and study what went wrong. In other words, mistakes not only are part of the learning process but they also contribute to enhancing your performance. When you get things right the first time, you never get to learn how to avoid problems.
Life is all about learning. While not all knowledge comes from books, your attitude to learning can make a big difference. Learning is accepting that you need to be dedicated to putting the work toward acquiring new knowledge you didn’t have.