Episode 16: Open to Possibility

Being open to the idea of growth can be overwhelming and sometimes even discouraging. But there are practical steps you can take to learning, expanding and growing into your highest and healthiest potential. Join us as we explore the benefits of being open, and learning new things for the duration of your life.

Transcript

Opening to possibility requires learning. And learning requires opening to possibility. The two work hand in hand to help you bloom and evolve. So allow this to be your official notice to NEVER STOP LEARNING. No matter how old you get, there should never come a time when you stop learning and trying and moving toward your personal best. 

Let’s start with the science. 

According to the National Institute on Aging, as a person gets older, certain parts of the brain can shrink… especially in relation to learning and other complex mental activities. But lifelong learning has been found to stimulate greater neuron generation and connection in the brain. Neurons are responsible for sending information throughout the body. When their function is improved, it positively effects memory, attention, thinking and reasoning skills. The more you learn and  practice, the stronger these neuron connections become. This means that learning is literally like ‘exercise for your brain.’ The more you learn, the healthier you are likely to be as you age.

And we know this to be true, because studies show that learning can improve overall mental health. Learners at an average of 80 years old were less likely to develop brain-related illnesses like dementia. 

It’s important to note that as we age, it may be more difficult to learn as quickly or as easily as we might have when we were younger. But despite this difficulty, our brains still have an astonishing ability to learn and even master new skills, regardless of our age. 

There are measurable benefits to lifelong learning. 

One of them is self motivation. If you are a creature of habit or routine, it’s very easy to get stuck in a rut. Learning a new thing can pull you out of the mundane routine of your existence and may even help you view that routine in a fresh and inspiring way. It may encourage you to not only make changes to your day to day life, but also find new ways to enhance your quality of life without spending too much time, energy or money in the process. Finding out what inspires you can help you feel more in control of what you do, how you do it, and most importantly… why you do it. And understanding the ‘why’ of things is one of the first steps to opening up to the possibility of evolving your existence.

Learning something new can also help you re-evaluate what you already know, and even help you recognize your part in the patterns that shape your life. If we simply rely on the knowledge we already have, we will never understand who or what we might become. As you acquire and comprehend new knowledge and skills, you might come to realize that the personal interests and goals you’ve set for yourself could be due for an upgrade.

Learning new things can lead to measureable improvement in both your personal and your professional life. And we’re not talking about learning a new skill simply for the sake of a promotion. What happens when you learn a new skill that helps you not only streamline your professional environment… but perhaps walk away from it altogether with an idea and an actionable plan to call your own shots? 

On the personal side, learning a new way to communicate, or harmonize your existence with friends and family can cost you less energy and help you truly thrive… no matter what your personal circumstances. From dealing with an unreasonable relative to caring for an elderly human, learning how to manage your energy – regardless of what’s happening around you, can go a long way to improving your quality of life.

Learning can improve your self-confidence. In both the personal and the professional arena, learning something can help you move with more certainty toward a particular goal. It can help you establish and enforce your worth in both areas, and make you less tolerant of any form of mistreatment in your relationships. It can give you the fortitude to understand that although everyone may not agree with your boundaries or your reasons, they can at least respect them. 

Learning can teach you to be more flexible. Flexibility is often associated with the notion of having options. And learning can not only educate you about those options, it can inspire you to exercise those options in ways that may not have occurred to you prior. By consistently learning and trying new things, you may find yourself open to change and growth, which can in turn open you to new opportunities in all aspects of your life.

Let’s pause and take a breath, because there’s a chance that you might feel pressured to not only go out and immediately learn a new thing… but to learn something specific to train your brain in the hopes of living a long and healthy life. 

You should know that learning does not always have to involve trying to stretch your brain beyond it’s current capacity in one fell swoop. It also doesn’t have to be tedious or complicated in order for you to get all of the health benefits. Learning something creative, like writing or painting or playing a musical instrument will do the the trick as well. You can even learn a new language if you’re so inclined. For those attracted to the digital space, you can learn to navigate a new tech platform or new AI. Learning does not have to be strenuous or tedious. If it is, you are less likely to stick with it over the long term. It should also be something that is intersting to you, and something that you’re curious enough to explore further. And in that respect, the possiblities of learning are infinite.

Now, what happens if … depsite everything that I just laid out about the benefits of learning… you’re still unmotivated to go out and learn?

Being unmotivated might be a sign that you’re overwhelmed.

Sometimes, the idea of too much possiblity has the opposite effect. Instead of inspiring, it can overwhelm a person and cause them to become paralyzed with indecision. If this is you, please take a deep breath and allow yourself some grace. There is nothing wrong with you. Feeling overwhelmed is a natural human reaction, and in this case… it might mean that you need to narrow your choices. One of the easiest ways to do that, is to start with what you already know… and more importantly, what you already like. 

What you already know does not have to be a purely academic thing. Maybe you already know how to troubleshoot a problematic applicance or piece of tech. It’s possible that you aquired those skills out of necessity, to keep something in your life running smoothly. Maybe now you take that information and upgrade your existing appliance or tech. That simple act of upgrading what is right in front of you, is you learning. 

But maybe simply fixing a broken blender or taking apart an ancient laptop is too basic. Let’s get loftier. Maybe, through no measurable academic acquisition, you found out that you really have a way with words. You can inspire and uplift others simply by telling a story… because it’s your gift. It’s not something that’s hard for you to do and you might actually enjoy it. And so one day, instead of just communicating in your immediate circle, you start a blog. Maybe the blog starts out basic, but begins to evolve as you do. Maybe you monetize that blog. Maybe you start writing stories and charging for access to them. Maybe you expand your reach and agree to pen stories for someone else… for a price. Because the fundamental act of writing and storytelling is something that actually interests you, it might be easy to continue upgrading that skill until it actually ended up working for you over the long term. And whether you felt it or not, you are learning each step of the way during that upgrade and expansion. So the evolution is not only good for your wallet, it’s great for your brain and your overall quality of life.

Now, you can tell that I’m a writer because I picked writing as the loftier practice. But you know that it doesn’t have to stop there. With tech platforms focused more on visuals, you can apply the same skills. That little computer in your pocket, your phone, can take incredible photos and videos. And you already know where this line of thinking is going… because the internet is FILLED with imagery, both mundane and utterly spectactular. And it’s all possible because someone decided to take what they already know, and use it to expand and grow.

So don’t get too caught up in what you think you should learn. Start with what you know, become curious about what you’d like to know, and go from there. Your choices don’t have to be spectacular in the grand scheme of anyone elses opinions or experience. They simply have to appeal to you, and motivate you to take the next steps to open to your personal possibility.

You may also get stuck in figuring out HOW to learn. The good news is, the digital space is full of free ways to aquire new knowledge and skill. So there’s no need to immediately go out and purchase a lesson or a course or your own personal teacher to learn something new. You can start with the free stuff, and then work your way into investing in whatever it is you want to learn as you grow. The best part about doing it this way is, it gives you the chance to change your mind, just in case you decide that you don’t care to learn that particular thing anymore.

If you evolve into the investment phase of learning, then it’s possible that you’re really committed to your chosen subject. Great! As you progress, continue to stay open to the possibility of learning your chosen thing – or things – in new and exciting ways. It’s equally important to stay curious and excited during the learning process, so that you can stay open to possibility.

It’s also important to learn in a way that speaks to you. We’ve come to understand that everyone learns differently, and there’s no such thing as one size fits all instruction. Some of us are able to learn by reading and comprehending and doing… while others do better by doing first and then comprehending along the way. Honor your personal style of learning. If you recognize that a certain process isn’t compatible with your learning style, have a the courage to step away… re-evaluate… and try another way. Use multiple sources to reach your goal, instead of clinging to one way in the hopes of simply surviving the entire experience. Trying to power through an incompatible learning process may lead to doubt and discouragement, and could cause you to abandon the whole effort. 

There may also come a time during the learning process – regardless of compatibility - when things get overwheming. You may want to quit. Don’t. Instead, take a break. It’s important to rest our mind between lessons, just as we rest our bodies between workouts. Don’t rush, and avoid putting yourself on a deadline. Learning takes as long as it takes. You’re not in competition with anyone but yourself. So if you need a break, take one. And if you need another break after that, take that one too. 

If you’re a fan of this podcast, then you’ve heard me emphasize the power of Community. The same applies during the learning process. Join a community of people who share your interests and maybe even your goals. And if no such community exists in your current sphere,build one. Learning with the support of a community not only enhances your mental and emotional experience, it may even help you progress toward your goals faster and more efficiently.

Beyond your community, it may also help to get a mentor or a coach. Someone who as already been through whatever you’re experiencing during the learning process, can be an immense help. A mentor can help you recognize and navigate obstacles, and even streamline your efforts to make your experience less stressful. 

And as you learn… as you grow… you may also find yourself in the mentoring or teaching space. You should know that this is also another form of education. It takes patience, grace and skill to occupy the teaching space. Learning to do that can help you gain a deeper understanding of the skill you’re teaching, and how you personally relate to that skill and commuicate it to others. Teaching is a way of paying it forward, and learning to do that has rewards that can be measured in both the practical and the cosmic sense. 

So go ahead… learn and grow and open to possiblity. Stay curious as you try new ways to navigate this existence and perhaps even improve upon it. When we open to the idea that we can grow in new and exciting ways, we begin to understand just how endless the possiblities truly are. It can be scary and even overwhelming at times…but the rules remain the same: take it one breath, one choice, one step at a time. 

You got this.