Take Warrick Dunn for example. Warrick played 13 seasons in the NFL and carried the ball for over 10,000 yards. Now that he is retired from football with lots of cash, do you think he's taking it easy? Hardly. He's working on his master's degree from Emory University and is an intern with Pepsi. He says he is "learning every day."
Shaq is another example of someone who is continuing to learn after success. He recently earned his doctorate in organizational learning and leadership. At his peak, he was earning $31 million per year… and was taking collegiate correspondence courses! “If there’s one thing I hope people take from this personal milestone, it’s that education matters for your entire life,” Shaq wrote. “A degree, whether high school or doctoral, is not a finish line; it’s simply a mile-marker. My learning will continue."
Being an every day learner takes intentionality. Here are 7 ways you can learn something new every day.
Ask God to speak to you when you read your Bible. Before you begin reading, simply pause and say "God teach me something today...speak to me through Your Word." Do that and something will pop while you reading.
Subscribe to blogs. Subscribe to the RSS or email updates of key blogs that you want to learn from. Read the updates every day.
Read at least one chapter in a book. Whether it's a digital or hard copy book, read something every day. Underline and make notes as you read.
Ask questions every day. Daily learners ask more questions than they give answers.
Learn from everyone. Sometimes the best lessons come from someone you didn't think had anything to teach you. Be in the "learning mode" no matter who you are with.
Listen to a podcast or audio lesson every day. Whether it's on the treadmill or in the car, turn off the music and turn on the learning track.
Make a note when you hear something that clicks. There are many opportunities each day to write down something new that you hear or see. It might be during a lesson, in the middle of a conversation, on the phone, on television, on the internet, in a tweet, etc. You think "that was good." Stop and write it down so you won't forget it. Then go back later and think more about it.
What are some other ways you learn something new every day? Share your thoughts and ideas with us in the comment section below.
