Abundance of Opportunities to Learn
We live in a time where there are unlimited opportunities to learn and grow. At our fingertips we have computers (our cell phones) that are more powerful than the most powerful computer in the world forty years ago. Our phones are literally beaming with potential learning opportunities yet very few of us take advantage of its infinite potential. You can literally go on and learn about any topic your heart desires with a simple search.
When I did my masters degree, almost 10 years ago now, we watched a TEDtalk about these people in an area of Africa who were using what they learned via their cell phone to turn an area that was basically a garbage dump into a sustainable community garden. That video gave me so much hope for the infinite learning potential that we have but to my disappointment in the last 10 years very few people are using these devices for their infinite power. Most people are mindlessly scrolling the internet consuming mindless entertainment for endless hours with very little productivity.
Why is it that we avoid taking the opportunity to engage with technology for the infinite potential that it has. Is it that we avoid things that feel vulnerable? Is it that we just revert to the easiest path because of our habits and subconscious programming? What if we took today and looked at it as a gift of endless opportunities to learn. Even if you have a busy hectic life there is time each day that you have the opportunity to learn even if it is just for five minutes.
Here are some ways you could bring unlimited learning opportunities into your day: listen to a podcast while you drive, workout or walk, spend five minutes before you get out of bed reading a book on a topic you want to learn more about, if you have more time search a video on youtube and start learning, while you are in the bathroom instead of mindlessly scrolling spend five minutes watching youtube videos about your desired area of learning. Learning does not have to be about stressful academic heavy content either. Learning something new could be something fun, like doing a learn to draw video or learning a new game.
When we begin to take our learning into our own hands and consciously spend time learning we begin to replace the mindless scrolling with conscious learning opportunities. You can even learn by being on social media if you follow inspirational people. I find so many amazing art projects for my classroom through some of the people I follow on social media. So social media in and of itself can be a valuable learning platform if used consciously and with purpose.
In the book, ‘Think and Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill he states, “The person who stops studying merely because he has finished school is forever hopelessly doomed to mediocrity, no matter what may be his calling. The way of success is the way of continuous pursuit of knowledge.” I love how he so clearly recognizes that the continuous pursuit of knowledge is key to success not the continuous pursuit of school. I know so many extremely successful people who never went to post secondary school, yet have never stopped learning. Learning and the acquisition of knowledge does not stop when you leave the classroom it can be with you for life and we truly have unlimited opportunities to learn at our finger tips.
So what will you learn this week with your infinite ability and opportunities to learn? I would love to hear about it!
