The fulfillment of any dreams is preceded by great learning.
In fact the great achievers of all times were also great learners, they carried a burning desire to know everything they needed to know about the paths they wanted to take.
They fulfilled their dreams by first becoming great learners.
In order to become great in the journey of your dreams I believe you too must become great at learning.
Here are the essential habits I believe great lifelong learners must develop.
1.They must be great observers.
“Everyone and everything around you is your teacher.” Ken Keyes
As lifelong learner you must develop the capacity to observe. Opportunities of learning will present themselves many times, your job is to open your eyes so you notice them.
When around masters, look at them with eyes of curiosity.
Observe people who are in the same paths as you are or as you wish to take, those people can demonstrate the habits needed to reach where you want to reach.
Observe what they are doing right and what they are doing wrong.? Pay attention to details of their lives.
Ask yourself these questions;
- How did they do?
- How can I do it?
- Why cant I do it?
- What can they teach me?
Not only should you observe people but also be great at observing what nature can teach you.
In your surroundings ask yourself what things speak to your heart?
What things appeal to your provocations?
The Wright brothers were great observers, it is said that they rode their bicycles often to a picnic area called the Pinnacles. Whilst there, the Wright brothers would observe the birds as they soared into the wind.
That is where the quest for flying begun, they asked purposeful questions that led to development of flying machines.
Today we fly in aeroplanes because the Wrights curiosity sparked an idea to fly.
Observing can ignite the fire in your soul, the fire to start something.
2.They must become great listener
“Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d have preferred to talk.” –Doug Larson
There is so much you can learn by listening to what others are saying.
Many great ideas begun with great conversations.
Are you paying attention to conversations of those who have become great at what you want to?
Numerous podcasts are available online that you can download and listen to during your commute.
Show up for seminars and workshops in areas of your interest, invest in yourself.
Be great at listening.
As you listen and learn what others have done, you begin to develop faith that you can do it too.
By listening to others you begin to gain a revelation of your capabilities, discover your true self and gain clarity about your dreams.
My favorite online resource is the TED; where you get to listen to talks by great innovators and world changers.
Every time I come across a great Ted talk I find myself being inspired by people who are 100% humans just like me but are achieving excellence in their provocations and that says to me that I too should play my part in this world.
3. They must be great readers
“To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life.” W. Somerset Maugham
I live on this one and to me there are a few things as joyful as reading.
I had a teacher at secondary school, Mr Maphalala, and he used to say, “5 minutes of reading can change the rest of your life. ”
Mr Maphalala appreciated reading as a way of fueling our young minds.
As a dreamer you must be open to reading. There are numerous books available online, free books on kindle.
Books have a way of shaping us significantly.
By reading you increase opportunity to advance your life and your chances of fulfilling your dreams.
4. They must be great doers
“Don’t let your learning lead to knowledge. Let your learning lead to action.” Jim Rohn
What is the point of learning if you are not going to be acting on what you are learning?
The lessons that resonate with you must be acted upon.
If you want to be a writer you cannot keep learning everything under the face of the sun and not act upon it.
Same goes for anything you wish to do.
If you want to be a great speaker and dream of giving ted talk you must start speaking.
Becoming exceptional is not something that you stumble upon, it starts with an individual deciding to move into a space beyond knowledge and taking action.
May your life change through learning.