The Lifelong Learner
:: Do what you can, with what you have, where you are -Roosevelt ::
The Lifelong Learner
:: Do what you can, with what you have, where you are -Roosevelt ::
I am beginning to evaluate the way I learn. I am trying to make changes so that the time that I put into learning/reading is more valuable.
It’s probably going to slow me down, but in the end, I will learn more and become more knowledgeable and productive.
What is it?
Do more with less! Yes, I think this is the key for me. I am doing too many things. I read to much. I have too many magazines. But the end
result is that I don’t learn enough. Yes, sounds bad. But that’s really how it is.
Why so?
Because I don’t learn on a level that I can remember. When I read an article for example. Is there anything that I take out of it? What do I mean? Do I extract information that I will actually remember?
Most of the time, I have to say it’s a no!
This is not easy. Not going to be easy.
I know.
But there are ways that I can implement that will allow me to learn more.
How?
I wish I knew.
But I think I know a way. I will try it. If I can share the information that I read/gather, then this will help me remember it. It will help me digest
it in another way. It will make me learn it in a more meaningful way. Whether it’s twitter, my blog, a wiki page, anything. The point is to extract information that will go into my “long term” memory. Only then I will remember it.
So here it is. One of my goals for this year is to alter my learning. Change it so I focus more on the things that I learn. And that I really learn.
Reading is a lot of fun, but it could be even more fun when I can use it in a way that can help me. What am I going to do with all the knowledge I acquire? 
A good problem to have.
I’m a goal oriented person, no question about it. I write and re-write my goals constantly. I think it’s a great way to develop your vision; a great way to see yourself into the future; and a great way to continuously improve.
There are some additional things I started doing lately…
First, I started writing a journal. A personal journal. No you cannot see it. A lot of successful people keep journals. And they had kept journals long way back. It’s a great way to let out your feelings. It’s a great way to reflect on what you did. It’s a great way to remind yourself what you learned today — I call it a learning log. It’s a great way to become a better writer. I recommend you start. I have an online blog, which I password protected. I think it’s important that it is private — you have to free your mind completely. I think you can find a free service that let’s you create a private blog; if not, buy a regular notebook.
Second, I’m really enjoying checking off my daily goals at JoesGoals.com. It’s a very simple application: you define your daily goals, and you check them off throughout the day. There is something special about doing things this way. When I check off a goal, I feel good. I can also progress I made last week. Check it out.
That’s it for now. I know that if you want to become better… you have to do new things or improve the things you are doing. Writing out your goals and keeping a journal is a good way to continuously improve.
