How do you keep learning? When the world keeps changing, standing still can feel like falling behind. Small daily efforts can help you keep growing.
The ability to learn is one of the most useful skills I know. It makes new challenges feel more approachable. The work is to keep learning.
Instead of spending every spare moment watching TV, Netflix or scrolling Instagram, I try to reserve some time for learning.
Here's what I do to keep learning, understand ideas, find new ones, and grow:
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Sleep well
Sleep is the basis of all other things in life. When I do not sleep well, I struggle to focus. I aim for seven to nine hours each night.
Learning depends on focus and memory. Both can suffer after too little sleep.
Sleep also helps the brain process information from the day. That can make it easier to remember what you learned.
I now tend to go to bed at 23:00 every day, including weekends. It takes me about 30 minutes to fall asleep. My alarm is set for 08:00 but I normally wake up a few minutes earlier. So I end up sleeping 8-9 hours per day and that’s great.
For me, the difference is noticeable. I’m experiencing more energy, more creativity and less anxiety. Overall I feel better, happier and I’m getting more things done. All of this affects my business positively, too.
Read books
I learn a lot from nonfiction books, especially when I put their ideas into practice. They introduce me to ideas and perspectives I might not find on my own. Most books leave me with at least one useful insight. The best ones stay with me much longer.
Reading one book takes about 10 to 20 hours. If you read two hours a day, that's about one to two weeks per book. That's 26 to 52 books a year.
My goal for this year is to read 50 books, one per week on average. Cutting back on TV and Netflix frees up time for it.
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Listen to podcasts
AirPods have changed the way I consume audio. It's like an extra pair of ears.
They also got me listening to podcasts. While cooking, eating, or cleaning, I can now learn things by listening to podcasts on interesting topics. Most are free.
Podcasts I like are Joe Rogan Experience, Naval, The Art of Manliness, FoundMyFitness and some Dutch ones.
When I walk, though, I often leave my AirPods and phone at home. This is a good way to meditate.
Hire specialists
Hiring a specialist has often helped me learn faster. If you don't want to spend money on knowledge, consider the cost of staying where you are for another year.
I tend to always hire one coach at a time. Previously, I hired a Spanish teacher to help me speak Spanish more fluently. I took about 300 hours of classes and never missed one.
Later, I hired a speech therapist to speak more neutral Dutch. I wanted to get rid of my accent because it bothered me during business meetings.
Right now I'm spending money on an online personal trainer because, after wasting three years in the gym without a good plan, I wanted to take it more seriously.
If hiring someone is out of reach, you can also follow specialists online. The right people can teach you a lot for free. But beware of social media addiction.
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Discuss ideas
Your friends can be an important part of your learning process. You will often meet people who share your interests.
Sports fans can meet in a bar; people who love cooking can meet in a class; and if you are interested in fitness, you may find friends at the gym.
I value having friends with whom I can discuss each of my main interests.
Write blogs
Writing is a superpower. I mean the ability to turn thoughts, ideas, and emotions into words, not just knowing how to put words on a page.
Writing an article is one way to test how well you understand a topic. It forces you to research, think, and explain the result in your own words.
That was my main reason for starting this blog.