Developing hunger for learning
Success cannot elude those who have developed continuous hunger for learning. Our schools and colleges teach only what is necessary for us to ignite the fire of continuous learning in us. However, for most of us, desire to learn gets over as soon as we finish our final exam and apply for a job, unmindful of the fact that we are still forced to learn every day to remain relevant in ever changing scenario.
I would rate continued learning into three distinct patterns:
a. School learning
b. Inquisitive learning
c. Social learning
Those who have been highly successful often follow either of these three or a combination of these three learning. Each model of learning is essential in a given situation. Given my own experience, I would like to discuss what model of learning could be highly rewarding in your career as you grow on the corporate ladder.
I have seen and experienced several training and coaching classes that teach you quickly a subject you may need to know for appearing in an interview, exam or conducting your duty. Software programming, leadership training, communication skills and thousands of such coaching and training sessions happen to be available all around us. This model is called “Schooling” where you once again sit in a classroom and listen to a teacher for guidance. In all cases the effectiveness of these training and schooling can only happen if you practice them immediately in your day-to-day work life. In my observation, it is not the case. Most of us probably tend to retain only a small fraction of what was taught or not even that after sometime. These training tend to be same as what we learned in our school, but could not master that like some of the subjects of our school as there has been no practice or exam after that. In my experience, schooling tends to be more of a time waste if there is no serious attempt to practice and test the learning. This form of learning can be very useful as it reduces your time for gathering knowledge and can give you very quick benefits through experts.
The Inquisitive learning has been a trait of only a few I have seen so far. Asking questions, finding answers to questions, which do not have satisfactory answers normally, arise out of day-to-day situation. Such learning in my experience have been extremely useful as the context of the learning are highly relevant. Moreover, such learning are not converted into a day long class out of which you look for only few useful minutes, but comes out of real need for a specific issue and can be gathered in smaller packets of time and applied immediately. My own experience in learning how to create an impactful video ended up in learning tricks to solve my specific issues and even without attending any class on the subject, I could become very versatile on the subject. This model of learning however has to be developed and once it establishes in you, you are sure to be an achiever.
The social learning is mostly in form of observation of activities we see around us in day-to-day life. This is in particular useful if you want to learn from the habits of successful people and try to copy them. I have found this form of learning very useful mainly when you wish to grow and would like to see a mentor or idolize someone you want to be in future. I have seen few growing well in their professional life by simply imitating best traits of successful people. Even I do it many times and there is no harm if you adopt this form of learning for your growth.
Let us become hungry for more knowledge and use the three models effectively to chart our career and success.
