Summer is for reading, reflecting, relaxing ... and learning
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in the September 2024 Newsletter.
Many of us describe ourselves as "lifelong learners". Do you? And what does it look like in your life?
School's out for summer ... so why is this newsletter about learning? As professionals, many of us have increased flexibility (if not less work) during these summer months, and we could find time to do some professional development. Through conversations with our clients, though, we've learned that many people aren't sure where to start or what "learning" looks like. We offer some reflective questions below, as well as ideas on how to get started.
At the end of the summer comes "Back to School" and whether or not we're in a household with people going to school, those decades of habit kick in. September feels like the other New Year and is particularly well suited to goal-setting around learning pursuits.
This summer, I've already attended a learning-intensive conference, and I'm going on a reflective and growth-oriented retreat in a couple of weeks. I'm also reading, listening to podcasts on long summer drives, and - vital for me - taking quiet time to think on long walks. My husband and I are training for the Camino de Santiago in the autumn. By mile 5 of a training walk, my brain has stopped whirring, and I can relax into thought.
If you're not sure how to get started with activating your "lifelong learner", there are some ideas below.
What does it mean to be a lifelong learner?
Attributes and values associated with lifelong learning include curiosity, self-actualization, ambition, and a growth mindset. Just as learning styles differ, so do learning motivations. For me, curiosity is a core value while ambition is secondary. I have certainly gained career opportunities from professional development - but that was often a bonus, and seldom the reason for learning!
A growth mindset - being open to change, new information, and adaptation - is also important to me, and widely viewed as vital for thriving in both people and organizations. Growth can be quantitative (for example, hiring more staff or raising revenue), qualitative (such as raising the standard of execution or the caliber of projects), or a combination of the two.
If you're hoping to take advantage of summer learning - or planning for a September start - ask yourself:
What do you want to learn? Why? I want to learn about almost everything (see curiosity, above!) so this is tricky for me. It's why I usually have several books on my desk or nightstand and listen to a broad range of podcasts - and relish deep conversations with an eclectic group of friends.
What do you need to learn? Why? This is where I focus in - present topics of need include motivation and accountability, organizational trust, and sustainable scaling. You'll notice Why? shows up in both of these questions - a purposeful connection keeps us connected and motivated when learning becomes challenging.
How are you going to learn? Many of us instinctively think of formal learning: structured, with a set curriculum, and a trainer/teacher/facilitator who "knows" - perhaps even leading to a credential or certification. Non-formal learning does not have a set curriculum but does have an intentional or organizational thread. Informal learning (also known as experiential learning) is incidental - we pick up knowledge and skills in the course of going about our lives and work.
Once you've identified your topic(s) and type(s), consider your learning style. We've broken this down for you below.
What type of learner are you?
There are seven adult learning styles, and each of us has a unique set of preferences. The graphic below (I see you, visual learners!) outlines these styles, and there's a free quiz (hey logical and/or kinesthetic learners) here. If you want to save this tool for reference, you can download the pdf here.
