There are three common ways we learn:
- by observing
- by reading/listening
- by doing/experiencing/experimenting
These might seem the only ways our learning happens.
What about:
- learning by writing (book writing, blog writing, etc.)
- learning by speaking (speeches, public speaking, etc.)
At first, it may seem the two ways are actually ways to make others learn. However, if you ask people how regularly write and give speeches—you’ll be surprised to find out there is so much they learn themselves while making others learn.
Writing helps you de-clutter, clarify thought chains, concretize concepts and unburden your mind. And if you can publish your writings for the world to see (which is quite easy nowadays), you also build human connections that bring even more learning.
Giving speeches or public speaking has even larger benefits, giving you more face to face connections, body language engagements and a larger understanding of human diversity.
Two practices, less commonly used for learning, having the potential to increase our learning tremendously, might not seem easy to start (new things always seem difficult)—but are worth doing. And worth teaching our kids to start practicing from an early age.