"Why Be A Constant Learner?" is the 28th in my 2022 series of articles based on my real life experiences, professional insights, personal views and fun stories.
My hope is that in them you find joy and inspiration.
WHY BE A CONSTANT LEARNER?
Learning is a natural process which starts from the moment we are born. We are all throughout life constant learners. But some learn better than others and, as we progress through life, the act of acquiring knowledge and skills becomes a much more pro-active pursuit rather than being just a natural phenomenon. So those who work at being a constant learner and who strive to always add to their learning, their knowledge and their abilities can develop an advantage over those less inclined to work on self improvement in this way. That's why it pays to be a constant learner.
Yet learning itself is not enough in terms of being successful in life or business. Knowledge is of little value if not put to use. For those who possess the talent to teach, utilising knowledge can entail simply passing on the knowledge learned or acquired to others - and there is value in that. But not if at every turn the student simply becomes a teacher and then passes on the learning to the next student and so on and so on ad infinitum, without ever having applied the knowledge or practised the skill inherent in it. Then clearly nothing of material value is ever produced and the perpetual promotion of the knowledge is purely academic and neither practically nor financially productive.
This, for example, is what happens with a lot of present day internet marketing. Much of it is akin to a cloud-based chain letter or a pyramid or Ponzi scheme. There is no product and no service other than the endless passing on of the same advice from one person to another, none of whom have any actual experience of doing the thing which the advice pertains too and none of whom ever put the guidance into practice! A totally futile exercise.
On the other hand, where real knowledge gained through experience is applied in a productive way to an active endeavour or to an enterprise then true value, income and profit can be created. Plus, one who has both learned and then applied the knowledge or skill successfully will in the process have acquired actual experience in the doing of it and that will be of genuine value, theoretical and practical, when later encouraging others. And that's the only really meaningful knowledge worthy of receipt, possession of or transfer to others.
Working at what you do, gaining experience, is in itself educational and necessary. It is wise too to accelerate and supplement your learning through ongoing professional training, courses and scholastic studies. In both cases, in doing so you may mix with and learn from your peers, those experienced in life generally and in your particular areas of speciality and enterprise.
The pay off is that it's the surest way to make certain that you always earn, and earn well, in your chosen trade or profession. That is why it pays to be a constant learner. A constant learner is a constant earner!
I am Tom Riach. I live and write in the sunny south of Portugal.
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'WHY BE A CONSTANT LEARNER?' is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
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See you there! Regards, Tom.
Comments
Unfortunately, the passing on of advice on the Internet is often for the benefit or financial gain of the teacher rather than the student. I believe that a strong desire to learn is a core ingredient for entrepreneurial success. Thanks, Tom.
Yes George, well stated - it's the 'quick buck' syndrome endemic in much of internet marketing as opposed to the building of real businesses.
I always say "education rules the nation" but to examine this more closely and as you stated it's applied knowledge that can lead to true success forever. I can attribute all my success to the learning and training I got from my mentor. He's a smart man and the knowledge he passes along is free and from his experiences by applying what he learned and sharing. I am happy to say that we think a lot alike Tom Riach
Yes Terri, the thing is that for entrepreneurs - learning is earning! And the more you create earnings-wise adds to your learning, your understanding of what you're doing and how to do it even better!