Our story is about a generation that was taught to study hard, get good grades, and secure a good job to be successful in life. But what we know now is that the world has changed in ways we could never have imagined. The pace of development is breathtaking and not investing in our learning is not a choice anymore. Most of us must learn, unlearn, and re-learn as we progress in our careers. We need to adapt. No college or school degree can fully prepare one for the changes that occur over our lifetime. We have the power to shape our future by staying informed, learning new skills, and keeping up with the times. While accessibility to learning has been easier the problem of abundance can be confusing. This can be daunting and the only way we can work around is by making choices suited to our needs. To do that, we need to become “Conscious Learners”.
Making Learning Choices
Learning means different things to different people. We tend to gravitate towards extending what we are comfortable doing. An engineer will gravitate towards learning new technology; on the other side, a psychologist may gravitate towards new research. This is not so simple anymore. As social fabrics change and the use of technology pervades, the boundaries have diffused. An Engineer may need an understanding of psychology to grow in their career and similarly, a psychologist needs to understand technology. (e.g. Gen AI) “Conscious Learners” are individuals who make a deliberate choice to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for their career or life. They understand the importance of continuous learning and actively seek out opportunities to expand their understanding and expertise.
How do we learn?
The case for continuous learning is compelling, but it’s equally important to identify the most effective ways of learning. There are four main ways in which we learn, listed in order of effectiveness:
- Reading brings learning across time, space, and subjects but requires effort. Accessibility has never been easier, but finding relevant information is a challenge due to the abundance of data.
- “Listening to or viewing content that is shared on social media or online platforms. It is knowing about the experiences and thoughts of others either through attending talks, reading, or using various forms of media. Choosing what is relevant and true from the abundance of available content though, is always a challenge.
- Training, Talks, and experiences shared by our network of friends and business associates. Learning from a close network of friends, associates, Professionals, and family is a more intimate learning experience and effective. The connections though must be deep, trusted, and developed over time. Networking is one of the most valuable sources of learning if done the right way.
- Finally, learning through personal experiences is the most intimate and life-changing way. It requires going out of your comfort zone and trying new things. Most successful people have gone through intense personal experiences. Warren Bennis calls it a “Crucible of Leadership”.
A “Conscious Learner” combines learning from all four methods. What’s important for the learner is to identify what is personally relevant at a given stage of their career or life. The Brain is not designed to focus on multiple things. It can lead to cognitive overload. My rule of thumb is to undertake a maximum of two learning initiatives at a time. A Conscious Learner makes those choices.
Discover the transformative power of conscious learning and experience the joy that comes with it. With conscious learning, one can proactively navigate the changes that come our way and thrive in any environment. For a Conscious Learner: