To keep on earning, keep on learning

To Keep on Earning, Keep on Learning
By Michelle L. Casto, M.Ed.

Success in the modern world takes more than just information and knowledge. You must apply what you know to real life situations and you must be open to learning, un-learning, and re-learning. With the rapid advancement of technology, fluctuating economy and societal and corporate changes, you must adopt a learning mindset in order to succeed. Indeed, the key to lifelong earning is lifelong learning.

As you embark on this lifelong learning path, strive to always be a student. Open yourself to new ideas, information, concepts and be adaptable---there are essential for the new world of work. Some benefits of becoming a lifelong learner are:
increased self confidence when approaching new tasks or ideas
persistence in pursuing goals
better decision-making and problem solving skills
the ability to be a career strategist
improved time management and organizational skills
the ability to change with the times
greater personal satisfaction
higher pay and employment opportunities.

To become a student of life, start by finding out how you learn best. There are three ways people learn: auditory (hearing), visual (seeing), and kinesthetic (doing). If you are not sure which type you are, ask yourself, “How do I like to be given directions?” If you are an auditory learner, you prefer to be told how to get there. If you are a visual learner, you prefer to be shown how to get there. If you are a kinesthetic learner, you prefer to actually drive there yourself.

Another important aspect to learning is whether you are left or right-brained dominant. Left-brain dominant people are good with logic, analysis, math, language, and writing.
Right-brain dominant people are good with imagination, colors, graphics, music and rhythm.
Of course we have the capacity for both; and when we are able to tap into both sides of the brain, we are using our brain’s full potential.

Many famous people used their whole brain. For example, Leonardo Da Vinci was an artist and innovator. He sketched helicopters hundreds of years ago because he was fascinated by mechanics. He also used his knowledge of how the human body stands and moves to create extraordinary, lifelike paintings.

Strive to use your whole brain when studying, working and interacting with others. Also, be selective with what you feed your brain. As the computer saying goes, “garbage in, garbage out.” The same holds true for what programs your brain is using. Therefore, only input positive, healthy and educational programs. Keep in mind that your thoughts, along with your ability to add, change, and discard them, is what essentially makes up your mind.

An ancient Chinese proverb says it best, “To gain knowledge, add things every day. To gain wisdom, remove things every day.” Just like a computer needs to delete files and information that are no longer useful, you have to discard information that no longer serves you. Knowing what is important to know, as well as what needs to go, will ensure that you have plenty of space left for learning the next new thing.