Discovering the True Learner Within

Embarking on the path of becoming a true learner is akin to navigating uncharted waters in the sea of life. The challenge lies not in our ability to acquire knowledge, but in our resilience to remain perpetual learners, undeterred by the shadows of past educational traumas.

 

For many, the scars of formal learning experiences cast a long shadow, often delaying the pursuit of new educational ventures. It took me a decade to break free from the shackles of traditional education after my master’s program. Surprisingly, those ten years unfolded as the most enlightening chapter of my adult life, marked by ventures across five countries, the rise, and fall of businesses, and exploration in more than 35 countries.

 

The crux of perpetual learning, however, extends beyond the conventional classroom. It thrives in the fertile ground of personal growth, genuine curiosity, and a unique brand of optimism – what I term as “rational optimism.” Picture this: You frequent a familiar Italian restaurant for your weekday lunches, relishing its decent offerings. Suddenly, a Vietnamese restaurant emerges next door. How likely are you to venture into uncharted culinary territory? How swiftly can you decide, and how resiliently would you return if the initial experience falls short?

 

In these moments lies the litmus test of intentional learning. As you stand at the crossroads of familiarity and novelty, probing your willingness to embrace the unknown, ask yourself questions that unravel the depth of your openness to new experiences. Are you ready to be a deliberate explorer of the untried, the untested?

 

Sounds daunting, doesn’t it? Yet, this is the essence of evolving into a perpetual learner – an individual unafraid to confront the unfamiliar, resilient in the face of setbacks, and constantly pushing the boundaries of personal growth. So, the next time you stand on the precipice of a decision, ponder, reflect, and allow yourself to discover the vast landscape of learning that awaits beyond the safety of the known.