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.
End of the year is a great time to take a look at the past and to set goals for the future. 2009 was a good year for me, but as usual, I hope 2010 will be even better!
Here are some of the more memorable moments of 2009:
1. First full year as an early riser (5:45 for now).
2. Started using twitter regularly.
3. Read 7 non-technical books – http://bit.ly/5Ib9D4
4. Switched to Ubuntu Linux full time.
5. Started using Chrome more regularly.
6. Realised doing too much is not enough. Trying to do more with less.
7. Realised that I care too much of what somebody else might think of me. Working on changing that.
8. Visited Maui, Hawaii (and yes, it’s beautiful, and far, and maybe a bit overrated, but highly recommended nonetheless).
That’s what I remember for now. I’ll update the post when I remember something else. (Time to work on goals for 2010.)
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.
