I read an interesting article in Inc. Magazine about the effective practice of deliberative learning. Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and Warren Buffet, are a select few of an elite group of highly successful people who focus on active learning — spending one hour a day (5 hours a week) on reading, reflecting, experimenting. All with an eye towards getting better. The goal is to approach these intellectual activities with the same commitment as exercise. Deliberate. Focused. Healthy. Lifelong.
I earned a failing grade in the reading department. I go through spurts. Sometimes I read voraciously and then fall into a lull. I score well on reflection — note the title of this blog! I rate myself above average on experimentation. Probably an occupational hazard as I constantly experiment on how to get better as a teacher and as a businessman.
The failure areas need to be addressed. I plan to go back to reading 5 hours a week, while not slacking on the other dimensions. I can’t wait for a book to arrive that came highly recommended by my daughter. The goal is to make reading a habit. Who doesn’t want to improve and get better?
How do you stack up on these key dimensions — reading, reflecting, experimenting? Admitting to areas of weakness are the perfect starting point to evolving intellectually.
About Hemant Rustogi