Never Stop Learning - Non-Traditional Techniques

By James Yoakum 

Learning: def. - To gain knowledge or a skill; to come to know; to be informed. (Webster's New World Dictionary, Third College Edition)

"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts." In other words, learning should be something we do throughout our lives.   
-- John Wooden, UCLA legendary coach

Continual, constant, regular learning is the key to success, good health, happiness, satisfaction.  

"Learning makes a man fit company for himself."
-- Edward Young, 16th century English poet

Learning results in growth. It keeps us fresh, current and motivated.   It is the impetus that drives development, youth, joy. . .

"The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as long as we live."
-- Mortimer Alder, 20th century American author

"I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma."
-- Eartha Kitt, 20th century American actress and singer

Borrow an old phrase "The Joy of" and add "Learning."  You now have the "The Joy Learning." You should strive to be a sponge always absorbing as much knowledge and information as life permits. Strive to be soaked and saturated at all times. Never stop in with your quest for learning. To stop learning would be akin to stop living.

"Who o neglects learning, loses the past and is dead for the future."
-- Euripides, Ancient Greek poet and playwright

So never, never stop learning! There are limitless sources of knowledge and avenues for learning

"It is wise to get knowledge and learning from every source - from a sot, a pot, a fool, a winter-mitten or an old slipper".
-- Francois Rabelais, 14th century French humorist and satirist

So seek avenues for learning, always with vigor. Never miss an opportunity to learn.

"Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ado and attended to with diligence. "
-Abigail Adams, former First Lady and wife of President John Adams

Here are a few sources or avenues for learning you may have not thought of in the traditional sense of learning.

"Learning how to learn is life's most important skill." - Unknown source

Internet. The internet and the millions of sources in it (websites, blogs, forums, etc.,) are learning avenues unavailable a few short years ago. There are the traditional learning sources like encyclopedias, newspapers, magazines, etc. The volume and easy assemblage abounds. And you have unlimited, 24/7 access. 

Then there are newer avenues to learning such as blogs. You can learn what is on other's minds, their life experiences and adversities, etc. Millions open themselves and thoughts to others. This is knowledge and information that was unobtainable before the internet. Granted it is not always accurate and not always truthful, but it gives you insights into others and their thoughts and views, etc.

"Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can - there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did. "
-- Sarah Caldwell, 20th century American opera conductor

On-line Universities, Training Tools, Webinars.  New learning avenues are now available for educating oneself. Many educational institutions, organizations offer traditional education on-line. Some offer webinars (short on-line seminars and courses, often offered at no-charge.)  They are also available the topic you would desire.   

"I never teach my pupils, I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn."
-- Albert Einstein, Noble Prize winning physicist 

Cable TV. Cable and the related technology have opened a plurality of doors for learning. The day of 3 or 4 channels has longed passed. Cable today offers hundreds of stations. These stations are the avenues to knowledge to learning. With traditional broadcasting, 24 hour news stations and educational stations,  learning opportunities abound.

"You learn something everyday if you pay attention."
-- Ray LeBlond, noted 20th century spiritualist

DVD's etc. The learning available from DVD's and on-line video sources reaches into the millions.  Just a few short years ago, this avenue did not exist. We may not think of this as learning, but it is!

"This is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you've understood all your life, but in a new way."
-- Doris Lessing, Noble Prize winning author

Networks, Groups. One of the greatest sources of learning is other people. Relish the opportunity to learn from others. Network to meet people. Network at work. Join groups of all kinds. Be proactive. Seek people and learn from them. Young, old and in between, it doesn't matter. Most want to share their knowledge and experiences. Work your networks. 

Further, don't forget to utilize internet social networking. It is for everybody.

"If you have the knowledge, let others light their candles at it." - Thomas Fuller, 16th century English clergyman

Mentoring. Be a mentor. Be a mentee. Be both. The benefits from both are endless. Mentoring is a relationship which gives people the opportunity to share their professional and personal skills and life experiences. Both the mentor and the mentee will grow and develop in the process. There are no basic skills required to mentor. The mentor merely uses his knowledge gained through experiences to teach, coach, advise, guide, encourage, promote, etc., another.   It can be done face-to face or it can be done remotely e.g., via the internet or by telephone. 

We all act as mentors and are mentees. Every time we offer advice we are mentoring; each time we receive advice we are the mentee. This process occurs throughout our life; it is part of the learning, part of self-development.  

The benefits of a mentoring relationship are innumerable. For the mentee, priceless advice, direction, problem solving, coaching, etc., is received. Mentees can gain perspective from the mentor's experiences that otherwise may have taken years for the mentee to gain through their own experiences.

 On the other hand, the mentor not only receives the satisfaction of helping others, but has the opportunity to learn from others too. Mentors and mentee should both be a sponge soaking up knowledge, perspective, and experiences from each other.

"Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen and a push in the right direction."
-- John Crosby, 20th century American musician
 
Volunteer. Volunteering opens many avenues for learning. You can meet new people. Learn new skills. The possibilities for learning are endless.

"Only a life lived for others is worth living."
-- Albert Einstein, Noble Prize winning physicist 

Learning is critical. Never, never stop.   Make your life. It brings out the best.

"Live as if your were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."
- Mahatma Gandhi, pre-eminent 20th century political and spiritual leader                                                

Look for learning opportunities. Incorporate learning into your life. Seek avenues to try new things. Utilize the internet. Prevail yourself of the educational opportunities available on cable and video. Join groups. Network within your business and within your community in both social and professional groups. Enter into mentoring relationships. Volunteer. These are just some the avenues available to learn, learn, learn.

"The wisest mind has something to learn."

George Santayana, 20th century philosopher

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow."

-- Albert Einstein, Noble Prize winning physicist  

Jim Yoakum is an accomplished executive leader with over 25 years of diversified (financial services, insurance, manufacturing, non-profit/tax exempt organizations, consulting and governmental) experience in risk management, internal control, regulatory affairs, operations and systems, law, compliance and taxation/accounting. He has many successes achieved in managing the creation of new or changing/evolving functions and managing projects/programs in resolution of significant issues. Jim has strong project/program management skills, using an inherent logical thought process honed by many years of technical training, were germane to these successes. He possesses the ability to manage human resources in a changing environment with passion, creativity, results-orientation and self-motivation. Jim is resilience, acts with decisiveness and to foster/adapt to change and new environments. Most importantly, Jim never wants to stop learning; never to stop helping others. As an accomplished author, poet and mentor, he continues to develop and educate by sharing his business and life experiences through writing, mentoring, speaking and networking.

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