How to Learn
I want to write a bit about how to learn. The first step is to convince yourself that there is some skill or information worth knowing and worth the effort and other costs of learning it. I want to crochet and dabbled, but don’t choose to pursue it. I want to dance, but have not done that either. I need to know my political candidates and what they advocate. I want to bake really good bread, and don’t do that either.
I haven’t learned these things and many others for several reasons.
First I have not convinced myself that I am capable of learning enough to meet an acceptable standard. My rhythm is not good, so how can I dance and my fear throws the rhythm off. Learning requires a risk of failure and feeling foolish; just keep doing what works. Learning needs a good teacher and a good teacher is one that can give you a belief that you can possibly succeed and that you are safe to try.
Learning requires an open mind. How do you know if your mind is open or not? You are willing to listen to another, before deciding that he/she has nothing of value to say, or that it is not worth your time and effort.You don’t have to have a mind so open that your own brain falls out. An open mind knows that learning must continue at a fast pace to live reasonably. I find great joy in reading the life and experiences of others. In spite of not learning many things, I spent many, many years, of my life in school, and have taken an array of classes in many subjects. yet, I am amazed at how incredibly little I actually know.
Learning requires a need to know, a good teacher, an investment of time and other costs, faith in yourself, and an open mind. What could you learn that would make your life better today, soon, eventually? Maybe, it could be a perfect recipe, plumbing, electrical, politics, how to tell a ripe avocado, or any other fruit or vegetable, the easiest way to clean blinds. 20 yoga poses? The list is endless, What does transcendental mean, and how to pray, or a good stress reliever, and the best fitness and eating plan for you.
What should I learn next is my only question and how can I decide. I do know that I am learning, and will continue as long as I have competence left. I have learned so much here from all of you who read and write here.
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Yes Rose it is the fear of failure that makes us shy away from learning a new skill. However I have now taken the view that failure does not really matter just trying is the real reason for attempting to learn and it’s always a good conversation piece telling people ‘ I tried that it didnt work I am failure’. Keep learning it keeps us young.
You know,patak,I used to be terrified of failure,but over the yrs I have overcome that fear,and will try anything,wether I look stupid or not,lol.and I don’t feel a failure if I don’t succeed.
I agree once again in what you have written here Roseinbloom and with the comment that patak has written above. keep up the good work your blogs are interesting to read.
The one thing I have prayed all my life to do,:is understanding,compassion,tolerance,patience,wisdom,listening,and an open mind,faith,laugh at myself,make a fool of my self,and many more,and of course I have the best teacher……..I went on a computer course,I taught myself to cook,and ended up working as a cook for a number of yrs,in residential care,I’m not academic ,but I’m practical,…I would love to dance,but don’t get the time,…I like to waffle,and can do so on here,because my friends accept me for who I am and not what I am,and since joining S.C.i have found some true friendship.ps I can knit,but hate joining up,my mother taught me to knit.
I have learnt a lot from this site,and the many “different”!,types of people on here,everyone has something to give.
Hi Rose,
as older one gets as more the concentration on things in life which really matter
become more and more important.
Every *** getting to know *** means a new challenge and it is absolutely correct what you say one has to be open minded. Open minded to meet a challenge and have the drive to learn what stands behind ** why ** is that so and not different.
Thank you for your comment. Michael
Being that I am over 60 I can audit classes at our local community tech school. Love it! I am forced to use my mind and feel so alive when I do! lol!!!
There is a lot to be said about learning something new every day…
As a retired teacher & assessor of adults on the theory & practical skills of operating Industrial machinery, for a person to learn anything, they must be relaxed & comfortable with the surroundings and have the confidence that the trainer/teacher is as eager for them to learn, as they are to be taught. The training must be done in a fun and non threatening way where the student does not have the fear of failure or ridicule. If the students have this attitude the learning process is much more likely to succeed and be retained. It is far better for the student to make mistakes during the learning process & then understand what went wrong and why, rather that have it happen as an accident in the workplace.
Most people have paid money to come to a class to learn an activity or process of some kind for a reason, so if so, they should be in the frame of mind to listen & learn the theory, & participate in the practical. Whether it be riding a bike or baking a cake, there is theory & practical in both. Once the teaching is done, it is up to the student to practice and understand what they have been taught, and the fun bit comes in cooking a cake & seeing & tasting the results. If your biscuits would make good brake pads for your car, have a laugh & do not perhaps cook them so long next time. It’s all down to trial & error. Remember when we all learned to drive a motor vehicle, mine was back in the fifties on a motorbike & I ran into the back of a tram because I was not looking where I was going. The tram did not even know that I had hit him, but the motorbike got a buckled front wheel. Taught me to look where I was going next time huh. We all learn by our mistakes. Laugh & enjoy them.