Learning for Life

Learning is Vital for Your Career Development

Throughout our lives, we are constantly in a place where we can be learning something new. This is true from the moment we are born to the moment we die. In this infinite universe that is always changing, it only stands to reason that there is always something new to learn. Learning in the early years of life is not a choice. It happens on a biological level independent of our thinking mind. It appears that once our formal education is complete and we enter the job market, many people only learn what they must learn to remain employed and keep food on the table. At the other end of this spectrum are the naturally curious people who continue their education in countless ways. These people educate themselves in many areas of their lives and act with the knowledge they acquire to help them live a more fulfilled and meaningful life.

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

– Mahatma Gandhi

The vast majority of people are in the middle of this range; they learn for their job and also continue to learn outside their job through reading and discussing with others about many areas of their lives. There is a disconnect: many people in this mid-range do not then engage in effective action, so what they are learning never makes a significant difference in their lives. Reading, discussion, and casual conversation are not enough. You must make it real by adopting practices that create a new way of living.

A good example of this can be seen in the book The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) by Don Miguel Ruiz, first published in 1997; and is still popular today. Many people I know have read the book, and it has been recommended to me numerous times. It has been called a life-changing book, and it can be. But YOU must do something about it other than just read it. When I ask people who have read the book what The Four Agreements are, most recall only one. That one agreement resonated with who they were then and where they were in their own personal development. It made sense to them. And then time passed, and they read many other books, and they forgot about the other agreements in Ruiz’s book. We think we know a book just because we read it, but we lose it shortly after reading it.

The only way to retain the wisdom offered in the book is to live into it deliberately. Talk about it with others, yes. Form a book discussion group, yes. But also write about it yourself in a journal, re-read the book at least two more times, listen to it on CD, etc. These are ways to deepen the wisdom offered in the book and make it part of your thinking. Once this is achieved, actions follow. Most people do not get this far, and most people think they are learning when they are not. If something resonates with you, find ways to build it in your thinking, language, and, most importantly, actions. This is how information becomes knowledge.

“One learns from books and example only that certain things can be done. Actual learning requires that you do those things.” 

– Frank Herbert

Just Be Curious
All of the Time

I have found that just being curious and making an attempt to live in a mood of wonder helps me to seek out new answers and continue my education. I find that I can learn from people around me, including my employees and partners. Remember, this happens all in Language.

Just by being engaged in conversation with a stranger can lead me down a path that I want to learn more about. That is an excellent thing about the hospitality industry. I am constantly engaging with strangers, and always exposed to new potential learning.

Learning something new is so much easier today than it has ever been. I know countless people who have learned by watching YouTube videos, myself included. I recently learned the Tai Chi Yang Style 32 Sword Form from watching videos on YouTube, along with deepening my knowledge by reading more about it and Tai Chi in general, both online and in books.

“He who laughs most, learns best.” 

– John Cleese

Making a commitment to learning for life will help to create a brighter future for yourself and others around you. Remember to make it Fun.