One thing that most successful people have in common is the commitment to learn. Learning is a lifetime activity in their life. They just never stop learning. They are master learners.
Bud Bilanich, in his article Successful people never stop learning mentions that successful people who are committed to lifelong learning have several traits in common. Here is a partial extract of the article, the complete article to be found here:
“They all…
Are humble. They admit what they don’t know. This is the first step in learning what they need to know.
Question the status quo. They realise that because something is right today, it may not be right tomorrow. They know that doing things “the way we’ve always done them” is not good reasoning.
Are intellectually curious. They truly want to learn and find learning fun, interesting and stimulating. They see life as a journey in which they are constantly learning.
Are willing to try new stuff. They experiment and see what works. When things work, they use them.
Are not afraid to fail. They see failure as an opportunity to learn. Just as they incorporate what works into their repertoire, they use failures as steppingstones to other experiments.
Are tolerant of ambiguity. Learning creates ambiguity. These people are willing to let go of past ways of doing things to come up with new ways of doing things in the future. The gap between the past and future can make for an uncomfortable present.”
Luke 2:46 (NLT) Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. Staying ahead of the pack. They are early adopters – of new technology and new ways of thinking. They realize that knowledge has a short half-life today. They keep learning to stay ahead.
The common-sense point here is simple – successful people are outstanding performers. Outstanding performers remain outstanding performers by becoming lifelong learners.
The fundamental meaning of the Greek word for disciple used in the Bible is “a learner.” Discipleship means a lifelong learning process.
Jesus himself invites us to join Him in learning. Matthew 11:29 (NLT) Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Learning is a lifelong task and Jesus himself set the example for it. At the age of 12 Jesus was in the temple, busy learning as quoted above from Luke 2:46 (NLT).
Matthew 24:32 (NLT) “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near.
Hebrews 5:8 (NLT) Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.
Philippians 4:11-12 (NLT) Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.
Decide today, I am going to keep on learning.