Learning... ACCIDENTAL OR INTENTIONAl? by hannah williams

We learn every day, most of the time without even knowing it. We learn new traffic patterns, new phrases, new song lyrics, new recipes, and new things about ourselves! These are examples of "accidental learning" - we don't typically jot down all of the left and right turns of a new route, or study every single phrase we hear each day, or stare at all the words of a song, or try to memorize a new recipe we enjoy or ask ourselves prying questions to see what we can reveal. Instead, we stumble upon these pieces of knowledge! If you drive to that new coffee shop enough, you'll know the route there by heart. If you hear a phrase that someone repeatedly uses, you'll unknowingly integrate it into your own speech. If you listen to a song you like over and over again, you will sing along to all the words without ever even reading the lyrics. And if you cook your mom's famous potato soup enough every winter, you will eventually be dancing around the kitchen throwing ingredients into a pot without a second glance at a recipe card. Like I said, we learn every single day!

But how many things do we learn intentionally? Think of the last thing that you sat down and truly focused on - whether you read articles, watched YouTube videos, attended formal lectures or courses, bought books, asked someone to teach you, or played around by trial and error... How long ago was that? What was it? Do you remember? 
For your own edification, I challenge you to try to learn something new before the end of the year! You can start small...or you can think big! 
Here is a list of ideas to get those learning wheels a'turnin':

• How to change a tire
  
• How to play an instrument
  
• How to sew/knit/crochet
  
• How to snowboard/ski/skateboard/rollerblade/etc.
  
• How to build your savings account
  
• How to speak a different language
  
• How the human brain works – learning science
  
• How different organs function
  
• How to grill/cook/bake
  
• How to make mixed drinks
  
• How to play a new sport (or understand it when a game is on TV)
  
• How to do yoga
  
• How to make Starbucks-quality coffee drinks
  
• How to do a new hairstyle
  
• How to draw/paint/sculpt
  
• How to take gallery-worthy photos
  
• How to woodwork 
  
• How to write poems/songs/stories/skits
  
• How to self-defend for safety
  
• How to dance 
  
• How to tell great jokes
  
• How to do CPR
  
• How to create a budget
  
• How to do your own taxes 
  

There are so many things to learn!
Learning is easier when we develop the right habits to facilitate lifelong learning, such as:

1. Reading daily (books, articles, blogs, devotionals, etc.)
   
2. Attending courses, seminars, and/or lectures (you would be surprised how much you can absorb from YouTube!)
   
3. Seeking opportunities to grow (be curious, get involved, ask questions!)
   
4. Taking care of your body (exercising, drinking water, and eating healthy help our brains take in and store new knowledge!)
   
5. Having diverse passions (Remember: if you love it, it is not weird, and you should chase it ruthlessly)
   
6. Loving to make progress (tracking goals, checking boxes, celebrating successes)
   
7. Challenging yourself with specific goals 
   
8. Embracing change 
   
9. Believing it's never too late - Learning Mindset
   
10. Having a positive attitude 
    
11. Venturing out of your comfort zone 
    
12. Never settling down (It is better to wear out rather that rust out!)​
    

And always remember we are all always learning - so be patient, try to understand, and give people grace as they find their way!

What kind of learner are you? Go forth and learn something new!