Five Success Rules Reinvented - 3. Remain a student

REMAIN A STUDENT: I know for sure that I am a little too literate at this point in my life, but I am still to educate myself completely. Learning is an invaluable and priceless part of our lives. It was only after I completed my formal education - which made me literate - that I really began to learn, so that I could also be educated. Having a degree and being educated are two different things, one of my surprising discoveries. 

Something I want to share with you - These days, I increasingly find myself gravitating towards those who know a lot, and still remain a student of life, of learning, of all that is important in our world. They stay curious, absorbent, alert, and humble. All excellent traits of being a great student.They are more interested in knowing about me than telling me about themselves. I am aspiring to be that kind of person myself!

Think about this - How many of us gave up active learning after our degree? You might agree that all of us have come out of tough life situations and faced the fact that we don't really know as much as we thought? Not the kind that text books teach about anyway, but the kind that we learn from our own initiative. Unfortunately, our education system doesn't always prepare us to pass important life examinations. Which is why it is critical that we pick the right books to read, seek the best people to talk to, and delve into the unknown parts of ourselves that promise a treasure trove of new lessons and new answers.

Here are five tips that I hope will help you remain a student: 

1. Find motivation to learn. Remember, those who learn - earn. Not just more money, but more happiness, greater peace of mind, better health, and even a long life.

2. Learn what you like. If photography is one of your great passions in life, then begin actively learning about that craft. It might have nothing to do with your job, but it will juice up your brain cells. 

3. Read autobiographies and biographies of great men and women. Those who have walked the earth much longer than us, and whose lives are great lessons in leading our own. 

4. Ask v/s tell. Choose asking over telling as often as you can. I find myself capable of telling 10% only after I have asked and read 50% more than that. Be curious.

5. Ask meaningful questions of yourself in solitude. In your quiet hours, while going to sleep, or early morning - ask yourself at least one meaningful question. For eg., What is the one thing that will help me deal with my children better?

My recent student stint: In the third week of October, I attended a training certification course, that helped me find my weaknesses and strengthen my strengths. I allowed my master trainer to give me candid feedback that was tough to hear, but invaluable in making myself better at what I love to do. I really felt like a student, with 10 hour study days, and late night preparations. Revealing and rejuvenating time.