Do You Believe That Living is Learning? Do You Really?

Have you ever met a know-it-all?

You know …the guy or lady who has the whole world figured out.

There is no subject that falls outside their vast realm of expertise (right!).

Recently, I kicked off a sales seminar when a know-it-all named Todd (name changed to protect the guilty) informed me:

“Hi Ryan. My name is Todd. I have been selling for over 25 years and I just wanted to let you know that I have no problem selling. So if I seem uninterested, it’s because I know what I am doing.”

Shortly after that seminar, Todd’s sales manager fired him for lack of sales.

Go figure.

I felt bad for Todd because my father taught me that when we stop learning, we start dying.

You see, my father, Jerry Taft, turns 87 this August. That sounds old to me, but my dad doesn’t seem old at all.

When people think of an 87-year-old man, they tend to picture someone waiting for the end of their life while trapped in a recliner at some retirement home watching reruns of The The Price is Right.

But my father (unlike Todd) figured out that the key to living is learning. Let me blow your mind with how my father is working on himself just this week:

  • Piano lesson on Monday
  • One-on-one singing instruction on Tuesday
  • Tap dance lessons on Wednesday
  • Performing with a jazz band as the lead singer on Thursday
  • Working out at his favorite gym three days this week
  • Completing the LA Times crossword puzzle every day

 

My father lives life fully and holds no intention of slowing down. Every time I chat with him he lights up talking about what he is learning.

Because of my father, I know that I must always live in the learning zone to stay sharp, fresh and vibrant.

Here are four of the best ways all of us can start living in the learning zone:

1. Fire Your Ego

Ego is the number one reason people stop learning. They simply believe they already know everything they need to know.

The truth is, no one knows everything. If learning is the key to life, then ego paves the road to death. Fire your ego ASAP.

2. Get Passionate About Something

Do you find learning fun or treacherous? When you are passionate about something, learning often becomes quite enjoyable.

Make a list of skills you always wanted to attain or master, but haven’t as of yet. Perhaps you want to learn how to play piano, study martial arts, become a hockey player or speak another language.

Then pick the one item on the list that excites you the most. That is where you will want to start precisely because it will be fun instead of treacherous.

3. Eliminate Every Possible Excuse

“I’m too busy.” “I am too old.” “I am not smart enough.” “People will laugh at me.”

These are all, if I can say, B.S. And by B.S. I mean Belief Systems.

The reality is that someone else is out there doing what you want to do and they can probably list as many or more possible excuses than you can. The difference is they did it in spite of the excuses.

4. Take the First Action Step

Sign up for the course. Hire the teacher. Enroll in the sport.

Whatever you want to do, take the first step. Once you do, you will find the next step much easier and you will be on your way to living in the learning zone.

There is an old saying that most people die at 25 years of age and don’t get buried until 85.

Oddly enough, when you look at when we tend to stop learning, it is right after college. My guess is you want to live a long life. So why not live that life to the fullest?

The fact that you are reading this blog tells me you are already on the right track.  Keep reading blogs, attending seminars, reading books and never stop!

Remember, the key to living is learning.


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About the Author: Ryan Taft

As the former National Sales Training Manager for a Top 5 homebuilder and a licensed Realtor® in Arizona, Ryan Taft is consumed with a passion for helping others achieve breakthrough results in sales, business and life.