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June 10, 2008 - by Jake Alexander
Why choose Learning as a Hobby?
What does learning have to offer over and above other more
traditional hobbies?
A hobby is a pastime or diversion, something that amuses and
serves to make time pass agreeably. Like any other hobby,
learning gives you a chance to spend time doing something that
you enjoy and find rewarding. You'll find few hobbies more
rewarding than learning. In fact, learning is a big part of
nearly any other hobby except maybe watching television. When
you choose learning as your hobby, you take yourself to another
level entirely. Once learning is your goal, you'll find
yourself with more hobbies, and more opportunities for
enjoyment and reward than you've ever had before.
With learning as your hobby, you can have fun and invest in
yourself at the same time. It's not saying that other hobbies
aren't enjoyable and valuable and worthwhile. It's just that
learning is a part of all hobbies and another step up the
ladder to where you can have as many hobbies or activities as
you like. Once you master learning as your hobby, you can take
up any other hobby and master it much faster because you've
already learned all the right skills. The knowledge and skills
you develop while learning can be re-applied in everything you
do.
Learning gives you knowledge. Having knowledge means
understanding and knowing how to get around obstacles, how to
find what you want, how to apply your skills in ways that are
profoundly satisfying and deeply rewarding. Having knowledge
means having the advantage. Having knowledge means having the
ability to recognize and take advantage of opportunities when
they are presented to you. Best of all, knowledge is forever --
and with it you gain the ability to teach
yourself more.
We often hear the phrase, "A sound mind, in a sound body."
Exercise is the way to a sound body and learning is the way to
a sound mind. But most of us have given up on both. The best
way to start is with learning. Learning will eventually lead
you to exercise, but exercise will not necessarily lead you to
learning.
If you adopt learning as a hobby, you'll find that it
strengthens the mind. With the additional practice, you'll find
that learning works like any other skill -- you'll be able to
do it better; you'll be able to do it faster; and you'll be
ableto do it longer. When there is no pressure to learn,
learning becomes fun. When you teach yourself a new
subject or skill, you'll feel a sense of pride and
accomplishment that rivals reaching the summit of a mountain or
winning a chess tournament or a golf scramble.
The skills of learning have a very practical use. When you can
teach yourself it will have a positive effect on your work
and career. You'll acquire new work-related knowledge and new
skills. You'll find that you understand things better and you
make better decisions. You'll have more rewarding
relationships. You'll be able to go where you want to go and do
what you want to do.
Why stop with one hobby? Why stop after you teach
yourself how to do one thing well? Why not teach
yourself how to do many things well? Why not spend the
rest of your time gaining new knowledge and learning new
skills? Why not adopt learning as your next
hobby?
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