How to Be Great at Learning and Living Life to the Fullest

I believe we have two lives. The life we learn with and the life we live with after that.  –from the movie, The Natural

Life is one big (or small) lesson after another– a giant classroom. You’re the student, teacher, and proud (or concerned) parent/caretaker wrapped in one. (Ain’t it grand to be an adult with all these roles/options?)

Any student of life knows we mess up plenty– mistakes in all shapes and sizes of our own making. Sometimes we own up to our part easily, other times it’s harder to face.

Self-awareness is good– but let’s be honest– when the light of self-awareness shines brightly on our weaknesses it can be painful, no matter where it falls on the learning curve. (I’ve found sunglasses provide some needed respite when embracing a brilliantly difficult lesson.)

Feelings of embarrassment, shame, humiliation, incompetence, rejection, anger, sadness, fear aren’t fun– the agony of defeat is real.

But what about the thrill of victory when the lessons (including the mistakes) come together? That’s what makes living to the fullest possible.

In this article:

You will get four shortcuts for being great at learning along the way to living YOUR life to the fullest!

Let’s put your greatness to good use!

#1– Look for ways to improve.

Are you asking for feedback regularly on what’s working and not working?

For example, what’s at least one way this article could be improved?

Approaching both work and personal relationships with a learning mindset (about the other and yourself) will always keep you at the front of the classroom.

#2– Do what’s hard regularly.

Finding others who do what’s hard is inspirational– and with the internet– it’s a YouTube-Ted Talk- blog- away.

We’ve got some good company:

Although we know that criticism makes our work better– it can be hard to take especially when delivered harshly.

Share your story of overcoming what’s hard- (I know there’s at least one). It’s good to remind yourself of how you’ve persevered in the past. We all benefit.

#3– Appreciate the little moments.

The sunrise, the sunset, the blue moon the cat stalking a plastic bottle cap, pouncing on it, tossing it into the air and then ignoring it completely like it’s activity that’s beneath him– a sampling of moments to appreciate.

Here’s a recent “little moment” I enjoyed:

Texts are a wonderfully efficient form of communication and occasionally someone texts me by mistake. 

Last week I got a text which said, “Happy Birthday Mary!! Love you girl!!!!! I let him know he had the wrong Mary.

And another moment (which wasn’t so little) during a group session related to the death of a team’s leader:

Appreciating the little moments provide some colorful sparkles along the path to living life to the fullest, don’t you think?

# 4– Demand more from yourself. Expand and grow beyond your comfort zone.

Living life to the fullest doesn’t mean

• crossing off all the things on your bucket list, although it might include such a list
• traveling to foreign places around the world, although it might include travel
• taking more courses, acquiring more knowledge, although it might include more knowledge gathering

Living life to the fullest is about choosing to take on the learning available as you push yourself into the unfamiliar, overcome the challenges and allow your perception of the world to expand.

It’s all about the beauty which comes from growing spiritually, mentally and intellectually– hopefully adding to the betterment of others too.

Here’s your takeaway:

You’re great!

Be great and adopt a learning mindset so you can live life to the fullest.

What lessons are you signing up for today?

I’m interested– What does living life to the fullest mean to you?

It’s great to improve continuously, do what’s hard, appreciate little moments and demand more from yourself, expanding and growing outside your comfort zone.

Let’s get together and talk about your shortcuts to living YOUR life to the fullest.