Since ongoing learning is of such great importance to all of us I set out to write a list of all of the ways I could think of to learn through life. Turns out I came up with 100 ……
- Become a great listener
- Implement a new idea
- Subscribe to a journal or magazine
- Teach others
- Keep a notepad and pen in your pocket
- Ask more questions
- Learn a new word each day
- Join a public speaking group like toastmasters
- Slow down and breath
- Find a mentor 20 years older than you
- Go to a foreign movie
- Start your own business
- Listen to good podcasts like Freakonomics
- Write your own learning plan
- Write an article about something you know
- Notice and challenge your assumptions
- Draw a picture
- Visit the library
- Ask “how can I do this differently?”
- Find a new favourite quote
- Practice juggling
- Sign up for daily emails like Seth Godin’s
- Prioritise time for learning
- Do a familiar task in a completely different way
- Volunteer your talents
- Go for long walks
- Play a musical instrument
- Join a team
- Join a Linked-in group
- Keep a daily diary of reflections
- Look out your window
- Set yourself some challenging goals
- Get more sleep
- Read biographies of people you admire
- Get out of your comfort zone
- Make a conscious decision to enjoy your work
- Take on a new job
- Unplug from technology
- Find the humour in daily situations
- De-clutter your home
- Read a newspaper slowly from cover to cover
- Study philosophy
- Become a mentor for someone else
- Join a special interest group
- Start a new hobby
- Study maps
- Make a small life change
- Pull something apart to see how it works
- Ask your boss to really stretch you
- Become the best at something you’re already good at
- Contribute to an online discussion forum
- Visit a museum
- Read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
- Ask yourself some deep questions
- Find a coach who will challenge you
- Ask “why” a lot
- Try something you’ve never done before
- Read the great authors like John Steinbeck
- Go to an art gallery
- Update your resume
- Ask a question you’ve never asked anyone before
- Let someone work-shadow you
- Take photos of things that inspire you
- Sign up for a MOOC
- Do a 360-degree assessment
- Find a mentor 20 years younger than you
- Go somewhere you’ve never been before
- Play boardgames
- Watch documentaries
- Do something that you feel afraid of
- Change your routine
- Interview a senior citizen
- Start a team or group
- Invite an old friend to dinner
- Work-shadow someone you admire
- Complete a psychometric instrument
- Make a major life change
- Read history
- Watch TED talks
- Attend professional events
- Give yourself permission to fail
- Be curious like a child
- Go to university
- Find a new friend
- Mind-map your ideas
- Invite a new friend to dinner
- Do a short course
- Have a conversation with a stranger
- Replace old habits with new ones
- Invent something
- Ask for honest feedback
- Find a training partner for your mind
- Say yes to opportunities
- Ask to do a special project
- Walk around with your eyes fully open
- Figure out what’s important to you
- Make time to play
- Switch off your smartphone
- Be more spontaneous
- Get up earlier in the morning
Chances are you’re doing plenty of these things already. Try giving a few of the others a go and see what happens.
Until next time happy learning!
Peter
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