Whether you are self-employed, whether you are an employee, whether you are parent, whether you are a student we all need to be learning. To stand still, to learn no more, or worse than that to think we know all there is to know, is a major mistake.
Standing still, learning no more can result in relationships ruined, marriages destroyed, loss of income.
Many times age is used as an excuse. I am to old to learn it is to late for me. Or on the opposite side, I have lots of time to learn.
For the self-employed person, if you are not aware of your customer's needs, of the latest developments in your field, you can be sure your competition is. You may find your competition will use their knowledge and find methods and levers that will attract your customer.
For the employee, if your rely on only your past experience and do not keep abreast of changing concepts you may find change may be needed and the change may be you. Many companies are competing in environments that previously were stable, however, today our global world is changing the playing field and companies are finding that they are competing on a world wide basis and they need their employees to keep pace and continue to develop and learn.
For a parent, if you feel there is no need to learn and develop yourself, if you rely on the knowledge of your own up bringing, you may find you will have problems in relating to your children and you will not have an understanding of their world. The world we were brought up in is very different than the world of today. A very simple example is the knowledge and information that is available through the internet. You may say well we don't have a computer, however, the majority of schools have access to computers and the internet is rapidly becoming a tool used in schools.
For the student, if you would prefer to party or watch TV rather than learn you will find you will be missing opportunities that would have been available to you in future years.
For those who think they are to old to learn, then the truth is you are old. As when you stop learning, you truly do start to age. Learning is an opportunity to apply your skill to an area perhaps you only dreamed of previously. It is never to late to learn.
Relationships, marriages are ruined where one person continues to learn, develop and grow and the other person stands still. What happens is the once wonderful relationship is now miles apart.
There are so many ways we can obtain knowledge today, there is no reason for people not to continue to learn and grow. With access to libraries, internet, community courses to colleges, universities there truly is no excuse. Where you live is no longer an excuse, communication tools (such as the phone, internet, fax) allow us to learn no matter where our location is.
By developing a continuous learning lifestyle, you will find opportunities, new ideas, the value you bring will make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you.
Growing and developing yourself, does not mean you need to be enrolled in a 5 year university course, it could be as simple as learning one new thing a day. One step at a time. Small learning develops into massive learning over time. If you consciously learned one new thing a day, over time if would become a way of life for you.
Don't ever stop learning.
Let learning be a never ending journey!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Catherine Pulsifer is one of the editors of Words of Wisdom 4 U, http://www.wow4u.com. You will find a collection of motivational thoughts, stories, quotes, poems, smiles, proverbs, and more at Words of Wisdom 4 U!