It should amaze you that no matter how old you are, how smart you are, how much you have seen, or how long you have been doing something, that there is always more to learn. On one hand, it can be overwhelming or frustrating, but on the other hand, it can be so exciting to know that we can continue to learn and grow every day of our lives.
I’ve studied many, many successful people in just as many different fields, businesses, and areas of life. There are a handful of traits that are consistent and stand out among successful people, one of which is a strong desire to continue learning.
You would think that someone at the top of their field, sport, or career would sit back, coast along, and just enjoy the ride. They often do the opposite. They stay hungry, seek ways to improve, and continue searching for more and better answers. The same drive that got them where they are is the drive that keeps them there. They may be happy with where they are and proud of all they have accomplished, but never quit striving to learn more, get better, and continue growing.
If you ever hear someone say that they know everything there is to know about something, whatever it is, walk away. That is not a person you want to be around, let alone hire to do some work for you. Someone may know enough to get a job done, but they would be foolish to think that there is no more to learn.
I committed long ago to a life of continued learning. And I’ve committed to not just learning as much as I can, but working to master those things. I find myself in awe of almost anyone doing anything at a level of mastery. And I have committed to doing whatever it is I’m doing at the highest level possible. I am not sure who said it, but I have heard it said that anything worth doing is worth doing well. I fully agree.
I want to encourage you to have a renewed sense of awe and appreciation for the incredibleness around you every day. Take whatever it is you do, whether it’s a job, a sport, a hobby, or a passion, and commit to doing it better. Recognize how much more there is to learn, how much room there is for improvement, and how exciting it would be to be better. Most people get complacent with everything in their lives. They cruise along, going through the motions day in and day out. Things are not bad enough to require change or improvement, so they accept those things as they are.
Think about a small child’s mind and how inquisitive it is. They ask a constant barrage of questions. They want to know everything. They want more details. They see the world as an endless sea of wonder and opportunity. Somehow, we lose that as we age. We know enough to get by, or what we think is more than most others, and that leaves us stagnant and flat. Life becomes routine and boring. And this way of thinking leads to the typical decline in enthusiasm as we age.
But does it have to be like that? I can tell you from really watching and learning from those who appear to be the most fulfilled, happy, and energetic people that it definitely does not have to be like that. But I can also tell you that you must seriously commit to preventing your life from become routine, boring, and devoid of enthusiasm.
Imagine waking up each day genuinely excited to go to work. Think about reigniting the passion in your marriage and looking forward to seeing and being with your spouse. See yourself waking up on Sunday morning enthusiastic about going to church. Imagine picking up a new hobby or one that you had in the past and diving in with childlike excitement.
It all begins with knowing that you do not know it all, that there is another level of improvement, and that it all begins by committing to being a lifelong learner. Your work, marriage, spiritual growth, and other interests have gone flat because you’ve accepted them the way they are. Commit to being a lifelong learner, look for newness in everything, realize the greatness that surrounds you, and when you do anything, do it with more passion. You will see a renewed energy in your life that you have been longing for.
