Why I Always Learn New Things

Summary

The author describes a lifelong passion for continuous learning, which serves as a source of personal growth, healing, and professional development.

Abstract

The author recounts a childhood characterized by an insatiable curiosity and a drive to delve deeply into subjects, from historical events to crime literature. This passion for learning has evolved into a therapeutic tool, akin to "Chicken Soup for the Soul," fostering a healthy mindset and resilience. The pursuit of knowledge is not only about satisfying curiosity but also about personal development. The author turns to biographies for motivation, takes online courses to refine existing skills, such as creative writing and translation, and acquires new skills like time management and resume writing to enhance efficiency and professional impact. The author emphasizes that there is always room for improvement and encourages embracing learning as a joyful, lifelong process.

Opinions

Learning is not just a way to satisfy curiosity but also a means of personal healing and maintaining a healthy mindset.
Biographies are seen as a source of inspiration and motivation during challenging times.
The author values continuous skill development, even in areas where they already hold degrees, to stay current and improve professionally.
Acquiring new skills, such as time management and effective resume writing, is important for personal and career growth.
There is an emphasis on the joy of learning and the importance of embracing new knowledge as a way to evolve from "good to exceptionally good."

…and why I will never stop

Ever since I was a kid, I had an uncontrollable urge to learn everything.

We would learn about a war or a dramatic event in history class, and I would go straight to the library to look for more information. If I was not satisfied, I would ask every teacher I knew for detailed info.

I would learn about an unresolved murder, and I would read every crime book I could find to understand how murderers think. This is how my love for Agatha Christie began; by age 19 I had read almost all of her books!

Growing up, my thirst for knowledge not only didn’t stop, but on the contrary, it intensified.

And it was then that I realized that my thirst for knowledge didn’t simply satisfy my curiosity, but it actually healed me. It was like Chicken Soup for the Soul !

Because by constantly learning new things, I taught myself to maintain a healthy mindset.

Biographies

Whenever I feel down, I read a biography. Reading about how another person struggled through life and managed to overcome obstacles, makes me feel I am not alone and motivates me to keep trying. I may not do exactly what he did, but I get inspiration from it.

Hone My Skills

Whenever I feel I lose my confidence in what I can do, I look for online courses to hone my skills. I have a bachelor's degree in creative writing, but there are always new things to learn and delve even deeper. There are online courses that focus on specific things such as designing character flaws and strengths that I have signed up to perfect my craft.

I also have a bachelor’s degree in translation, but I signed up for a literary translation course to learn as much as I could about the particular field.

Learn New Skills

Learning new skills helps me work faster and more efficiently. I signed up for a time management course to learn how to get more organized and save time. I also signed up for a resume writing course to learn how to emphasize on my strengths and make my resume stand out!

No matter what you think you know, there’s always something new to learn. There’s always room for improvement. You can always go from good to exceptionally good. Have fun with the process, think of it as a new toy you can play with-keep your inner child happy!