We are big proponents of the concept of continuous learning. Cultivating and feeding an insatiable need to take in new information, knowledge and experiences to expand our perspective, build up our tool-box, grow our networks and of course, make us more capable, well-informed intrapreneurs in the process.
Lately, though, we’ve been realizing that in order to get the most out of any learning, we have had to un-learn some things. For example, when meeting with some younger intrapreneurs, we had to un-learn the paradigm that our years of experience automatically translate into higher quality knowledge on any given topic.
Often, un-learning is really about understanding our own paradigms and experiences. We may believe that:
- Universities only teach theory, so recent grads aren’t going to add as much value until they pick up some real-world experience.
- People won’t support my idea unless there’s some financial benefit for them.
- Big companies aren’t good places to develop entrepreneurial skills.
- To start up a new venture, you need a lot of cash.
Each of the above beliefs are things we’ve had to un-learn recently. Of course, the real trick is to integrate our new learning with our existing knowledge and experience and net some new and different thinking that enables us to stretch and grow.
For us, often the most challenging part is that first step of really taking in new information without the bias of old beliefs. So, we’re borrowing a trait of the goldfish in our approach to learning these days. A goldfish has a very short memory…he tends to forget everything he knows pretty quickly.
When we see an opportunity to learn something new, we try to identify the paradigms that might keep us from really receiving the new learning, forget them (at least for a few hours or days) and take in new knowledge, experience and learning with fresh eyes and open minds. Then, once we’ve taken in the new learning, we can integrate it.
For us, this process is consistently helping us to connect new ideas and insights and translate them into opportunities. We hope it does the same for you.
Photo licensed under Creative Commons 2.0 via Flickr user: RabunWarna
