Learning: the Key to Effective Personal Growth

Right now I’m buried in computer code, books and articles about how to program the Mac, iPhone and iPad.

I’ve been programming in the Windows world for a number of years. I know C, C++ and a number of scripting languages. I’ve been quite comfortable with my programming knowledge, but most all of my experience has been database and business related. So when I took on a project with a friend of mine to program an iPhone game, I was surprised at the amount of things I didn’t know and had to learn.

Things like programming for animation, collision detection, sprites and sprite sheets, game design, the use of sound, changing game conditions as the player gains experience, etc.

This has been quite a challenge and has stretched me a lot as a programmer and, believe it or not, as a person. I’ve had to think in new directions, take on new information, integrate it with existing knowledge, and acquire new skills.

It’s actually been quite fun.

Which brings me to my point. Learning new things can be one of the most effective ways to grow as a person.

I’ve often wondered why the effort to learn new things often stops after one graduates from high school or college and “get’s a real job.”

Part of me understands. After 16 or more years of sitting in a classroom being forced to focus your attention on things that do not interest you and being compared with everyone else in the room, motivation to learn something new can be difficult to come by.

I think it’s helpful to every once-in-a-while remind ourselves of the value of learning new things.

Learning keeps life interesting. It colors our world. It helps broaden our perspectives. It makes us more rounded human beings. It can make us more compassionate, wise and grounded.

The more we learn, the better we are able to handle the challenges that life puts in our path. Learning helps us become more creative and effective.

So below I’ve listed a few suggestions that can help you adopt a “learning lifestyle.”

1. Get curious

   Remember when you were a little kid? Remember how you used to bug your parents with question after question? Why is the sky blue? Who made God? Why do we live in houses? What’s the moon made of? Are we there yet?

   Kids are naturally curious. Yet curiosity seems to die down as we grow older. Don’t let that happen to you. Begin asking questions again. It’s OK to ask questions. It’s how we learn.

   Who cares if somebody thinks your ignorant? Ignorance is cured by curiosity. The real truth is that the person who thinks your ignorant is probably just projecting his own issues on to you anyway.

   Value curiosity. Ask questions. Live enthusiastically within the juicy realm of “What if?” and “Why?” It’s lots of fun.

2. Go to the Library

   I love the library. It’s full of information, and ideas. There I can find answers to my questions, as well as springboards to new questions and ideas. The Library is a fountain of opportunity for learning.

   Browse the non-fiction section without looking for anything specific. See what jumps out at you. History? Philosophy? Biology? Physics? Math? Gardening? Crafting? Writing? Biography? Walking into the library is like walking into a gigantic treasure chest. There’s no telling what gems of knowledge and wisdom you’ll find.

3. Seek out other perspectives

It seems, today, that everyone is talking and few are listening. Social media seems full of broadcasting and light on conversation. Politics seems to be more about two idealistic camps screaming at each other. Everybody has an opinion and seems to be shouting it out as loudly as possible.

Try something new. Listen for a change. Instead of sharing your opinion, listen to someone else’s. The best way to expand your perspective and gain wisdom is to listen to those who know more than you do. Seek them out and then pay attention. Don’t argue, just listen. You’ll be surprised at what you can learn.

4. Spend time in contemplation and evaluation

   One of the most valuable ways to assimilate all your new learning is to take time to contemplate your knew knowledge.

   What did you just learn? Does it apply to your life? If so, how? What benefits does it give? What warnings do you need to pay attention to? What mistakes will it help you avoid? What good things will it produce if followed?

   Don’t just accumulate knowledge. Evaluate it. Think about it. Absorb it. Apply it.

Fundamentally it’s in all of our hearts to enjoy the life we have and to improve it so that we can experience the fullness it offers. I’ve found that one of the best ways to fill our lives with great joy and abundance is to never let go of learning new things.

What about you? What things fascinate you? What are you learning right now in your life? What would you like to learn? I’d like to hear some of your ideas and experiences. Let me know in the comments section below.

Photo Credit: flickr user krossbow