Cultivating the Habit of Learning : How to Learn New Things: A Step-by-Step Guide
Life is rarely boring if you remain open to learning new things. With an abundance of books, podcasts, and trending TED Talks, the opportunities for expanding your knowledge and gaining fresh perspectives are endless. However, to truly notice these opportunities, you must cultivate a growth mindset—being open and receptive to new information, skills, or hobbies as they present themselves. This approach prepares you to learn something new every day.
The Importance of Being a Lifelong Learner
Learning new things broadens your perspective and brings several benefits, including:
- Empathy: Understanding a wider range of people can deepen your relationships.
- Open-mindedness: A well-rounded worldview helps you appreciate different cultures and perspectives.
- Self-awareness: Discover your values, motivations, and interests.
- Professional growth: Gain transferable skills like task prioritization and time management.
Lifelong learning also offers immense health benefits, such as easing cognitive decline in older age and boosting happiness levels. Engaging with new information or hobbies stimulates the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental areas of your brain, releasing dopamine, the feel-good hormone.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Something?
You can learn something new in an instant, like remembering a new coworker’s name. Memorizing a word typically takes about a minute, while acquiring more complex knowledge, such as learning a new language, can take about 66 days. The time required depends on the complexity of the subject and your ability to acquire knowledge.
Cultivating the Habit of Learning
No matter what you want to learn, the first step is recognizing and seizing learning opportunities. Here are eight ways to cultivate the habit of learning:
- Practice Speed Reading: Increase your reading speed to consume more information quickly.
- Treat Mistakes as Learning Opportunities: View errors as chances to expand your knowledge.
- Stay Curious: Reconnect with your inner child and ask “why” often.
- Break Out of Your Routine: Experiment with new activities to expose yourself to different ideas.
- Get Physical: Physical activity boosts cognitive abilities and brain plasticity.
- Schedule Learning Time: Dedicate specific times for learning to make it a priority.
- Value Small Learning Opportunities: No piece of knowledge is inconsequential.
- Surround Yourself with Fellow Learners: Engage with others who are equally committed to learning.
How to Learn New Things: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to enhance your learning process:
- Identify Your Learning Goals: Define what you want to learn, whether it’s a hobby, subject knowledge, or professional skill.
- Set SMART Goals: Create Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely goals.
- Use Multiple Learning Mediums: Combine different modes of learning to keep engaged.
- Leverage Online Learning Platforms: Use resources like Coursera, Skillshare, and Duolingo for structured learning.
- Collaborate with Others: Find a study buddy or a mentor to enhance your learning experience.
- Reflect on Your Progress: Regularly self-reflect to acknowledge achievements and identify areas for improvement.
The Bottom Line
Working towards the habit of learning something new every day leads to personal and professional growth. Each new skill or piece of information adds to your overall development and keeps your inquisitive nature alive. Your friends, family, and coworkers will appreciate your curiosity, and your eagerness to learn will help you grow within your professional sphere. Remember, learning is a lifelong journey, and every day offers a new opportunity to expand your horizons.
