I’ve always been a curious person growing up.
When I was little, I would stare up at the stars and wonder what those things were.
“How do I get there? Can I touch it? How far away are those stars?”
My mind was filled with imagination.
I wanted to learn how this life worked.
Going through high school and college
In my high school days, I was learning but honestly, it was mostly memorization.
I was struggling with home life, so I barely had time to think about school.
I did enough to study, get decent grades, and apply to college.
However, the real learning began in college.
In fact, I had no choice.
It was do or die for me at that period in time.
I had just lost my father, and I had no other family.
In my mind, I HAD to get a job. I HAD to make money.
I HAD to survive at all costs.
And the only way I could achieve that was by studying.
More importantly, learning everything.
So for the next 4 years, I studied feverishly. All day, every day, while at work, eating dinner, hanging with friends.
In my mind, I had ZERO doubt that was what I NEEDED to do.
I worked multiple jobs, studied all day, dreamed about how I would be successful.
I thought about how things would get easier.
I visualized it every day.
How I developed a passion for learning
Learning is a process.
Learning is a habit.
Learning is dedication.
Learning is a way of thinking.
I understood immediately that the only way I was going to survive was to level up.
I NEEDED to be smarter. I NEEDED more knowledge. I NEEDED to understand what was happening.
This, in turn, changed everything.
I started loving studying because I was learning how things worked.
From science to finance to greek mythology, I enjoyed it. Some classes less so of course 😅
But overall, I learned to enjoy the process.
I was able to make SENSE of what I was learning.
I also found that I LOVED helping and teaching others, which I still do to this day.
When you find a way to be curious and wonder how things became the way they are, that’s where true learning emerges.
You begin to enjoy the fine details.
Steve Jobs was like this.
Questions to think about to build your learning passion
The truth is we all live busy lives, so taking the time to learn can be challenging. However, it can achieved.
Start with one fundamental question, “Do I want to learn?”
We can’t begin to learn anything if we don’t have the desire to.
So ask these questions and see how you feel:
- Do I want to learn that new skill?
- Do I want to learn about that new job?
- Do I want to try out that new sport?
- Do I want to be better?
Having a desire is the first step towards the path of learning.
Enjoy the journey and process
Like everything in life, learning is a process. It’s a journey.
Learn to love it.
Learn to love every minute of it.
Things take time.
But when you do achieve something new as a result of spending time to learn, you feel amazing.
To this day, I learn everything.
I keep an open-mind to all perspectives.
I love hearing what people have to say, whether I agree or not.
So there you have it.
Keep learning, keep growing, and most importantly, have fun.
Life’s short, kick ass, and spend it with people you love.
Enjoy!
