Learning
Learning is a cognitive paradox.
You are motivated to learn; the notion of growth and development is directly correlated to flourishing.
You seek out books, courses, and podcasts.
At the same time you are wired to find ways to confirm your existing understanding of the world.
The process of change, shifting a perspective, or discovering blind spots is highly uncomfortable.
You seek out assurance and reinforcement that your existing patterns of thought are adequate.
It gets more complex.
The situations in which you learn and grow the most are rarely the sterile, self-selected undertakings such as simply reading a book.
Situations where you are challenged and face adversity offer the most direct access to learning, yet your attention will be pulled towards focusing on your distaste for the conditions rather than the gift of growth.
You think of learning as selecting the perfect thing from the compatible teacher to teach you in your desired area.
Sometimes your teacher exists, unselected by you, to teach you through something that is disagreeable or undesirable for you.
Your mentor might be your teacher but your challenging business partner is equally likely to be your teacher.
As a leader, shifting out of the perspective that learning is a Choose Your Own Adventure pathway is critical.
Your choice is rarely what or how you learn something.
Your choice is in allowing yourself to find learning in the places you least expect.
Febrewary blend,
- Morning Cup