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January 18 – Learning out in the World

Writer's picture: Anna KlinmanAnna Klinman

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.” Mark Twain


learning

Many of us are used to identifying ourselves based on our beliefs, ideas, and ideologies. However, this can cause a problem when it holds us back from adapting to a changing world and evolving knowledge. Our viewpoints may become so deeply ingrained that we become defensive at the mere possibility of being mistaken. In such cases, our egos take over, suppressing opposing arguments, disregarding contradictory evidence, and hindering our ability to learn. I have to admit that one of my personal flaws is finding it difficult to admit when I have made a mistake. I am working on this as a personal goal.


By immersing ourselves in different environments, experiences, and unfamiliar territories, we transform the unfamiliar from something challenging to something exciting. This openness allows us to embrace the possibility of personal transformation during the journey. When we expand our geographical boundaries, we also broaden our perspective on the world. Each mile we traverse leads us to challenge our preconceived notions and reevaluate the self-imposed limitations that hinder our progress. Seth Goldenberg states, “We must remake learning as an activity of exposure to the infinitely diverse worlds that exist so we may not reside in the danger of a single story. Exposing ourselves to new experiences diversifies our lived knowledge, leading to the retiring of assumptions and birthing of new beliefs.” As Carl Sagan once said, “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” I take this to heart whether I am travelling to a new country, a new state, or just reading a new book.


Learning is a fundamental part of human life, and examples of learning can be found in various aspects all over the world.


Academic Learning: Attending school and acquiring knowledge in subjects such as mathematics, science, history, literature, and languages.


Skill Acquisition: Learning to play a musical instrument, mastering a sport, acquiring cooking skills, or developing expertise in a particular craft or trade.

 

Professional Development: Acquiring new skills or knowledge to excel in a specific profession or career, such as attending workshops, seminars, or training programs.


Personal Growth: Learning about oneself, personal values, emotions, and beliefs through introspection, self-reflection, therapy, or personal development programs.


Social Learning: Acquiring social skills, norms, and behaviors through observation, imitation, and interaction with others in society.


Problem-Solving: Learning how to approach and solve complex problems by applying critical thinking, analysis, and creative thinking skills.


Cultural Learning: Acquiring knowledge about different cultures, traditions, customs, and languages through travel, exposure, and intercultural experiences.


Technological Learning: Keeping up with advancements in technology, learning to use new software applications, programming languages, or acquiring digital literacy skills.


Life Skills: Learning essential skills for daily living, such as financial management, time management, communication skills, and decision-making.


Adaptation and Survival: Learning to adapt to new environments, situations, or challenges, such as learning to navigate a new city, learning survival skills in the wilderness, or adapting to changes in the workplace.


These are just a few examples of how learning manifests in different areas of life. Learning is a lifelong process, and individuals continuously engage in learning experiences to grow, develop new abilities, and adapt to their changing environment.

“Learning new skills changes the way you think or the way you see the world. Learning to sing changes the way you listen to music, while learning to draw is a striking tutorial on the human visual system. Your world got bigger because you did,” Tom Vanderbilt writes in his book, Beginners. In the current era, actively venturing beyond our comfort zones seems essential for personal growth. The rapid advancements in technology have transformed us into perpetual learners, continuously adapting and upgrading our knowledge similar to how we update our phones.

 

It has become rare for individuals to dedicate their undivided attention to a single lifelong pursuit, as even within the same job, the necessary skills evolve. Embracing a mindset of courageously starting anew, as beginners in various domains, greatly benefits us in this ever-changing landscape.


Journal Prompt: Imagine you have the ability to travel anywhere in the world instantly. Describe the top three places you would visit and explain why.

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