On Learning

Intellectual knowledge, while vastly important, is not enough. This is the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Having information, but no clue of how to apply it–what’s the point? It is essential to have experiential learning with any knowledge that you want to deeply embody. You know this, even if you don’t know this. Wisdom is earned through experience. 

It is one thing to have an intellectual understanding and another to have an emotionally connected intuitive understanding. The depth that you’ve been after is not to be found out there with more knowledge, it’s something that’s already a part of you–something that is hidden from access. You may find within yourself the question of, “how then do I access it?” 

One of my favorite quotes by a famous therapist, Milton H. Erickson– “You can’t learn to swim on a piano bench”. This beautifully illustrates learning. You must get up, go to the pool or lake, and actually get in the water–there’s no other way. The same is true for all of life. 

You will not learn how to improve your relationships by rigorous study alone, sooner or later you must go talk with someone. You will not learn how to throw a ball by watching instructional videos alone, at some point you must go outside and pick one up. You will not be a great public speaker just by reading books on communication, you must go struggle in front of a crowd. 

However, there is a crux to this issue…

Oftentimes it is easy to be trapped by thinking and feeling we don’t yet have enough knowledge or information to confidently stride forward. It’s not about knowing enough. It’s about safety. It’s more comfortable to stay on the piano bench and daydream, that’s easy, we’ve done it thousands of times. 

To take decisive action into the realm of the unknown, untested, and untried is positively terrifying. It could result in embarrassment, failure, or mortal peril–and yet, it could also result in achievement beyond our wildest imaginations. To step into the unknown and discover that we were capable all along…to act and unveil hidden truths and abilities…to finally realize the only thing holding us back was ourselves. 

The last point is of primary importance. We limit ourselves far more than reality ever can. 

“I’m not ready”, “I don’t have enough experience”, “There’s already so many people doing it better than me”, “Who am I to think…”, “I haven’t earned it”, “Maybe later”, “Well let me study a little more”, “I’m not quite prepared”, “I don’t belong”. There is an endless list of beliefs that hold us back from true potential. Isn’t it time to consider the fact that maybe the limiting beliefs you learned earlier in life are holding you back?

But hold on. What does all of this have to do with learning? Why does it matter if all I ever do is gather knowledge and just sit on it? Great question. Who do you want to be? Someone who’s read about life–or someone who’s lived it?