“For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.” – Aristotle
I have an amazing relationship with learning. Probably because I was taught the importance of it at a very early age. At about age 4 or 5 (I can’t remember exactly), I started reading the papers to my dad as he drove us (my siblings and I) to school. And this was because he started teaching me to read as soon as I could run.
As a child, I read everything; from my children’s books to my mum’s harlequin novels and all the magazines I could get my hands on. As a result, I grew up with some kind of knowledge of almost every discipline. I have opinions on just about every topic and can hold conversations for extended periods with people about everything from pop culture and fashion to politics and finance.
Why do I continuously learn?
I don’t know. I love that feeling of my mind being opened up to new information about the cultures of people in places I may never get to see, and seeing that I have shared opinions with people that I may never get to meet.
I love that learning is something that never stops, even when you think you’ve got it all figured out. There’s always something new to learn, to be amazed at.
Whether it’s through my professional endeavours, personal projects, or everyday life experiences, I’ve come to appreciate that every day offers a new lesson if you’re open to it. Lately, I’ve been more intentional about making learning a daily practice, and it’s been an incredible journey for me. So, here’s how I push myself to learn daily and how it’s shaping my journey of continuous growth.
1. Being Open to Curiosity
The first step to learning every day is staying curious. I’ve realised that curiosity fuels my urge to learn—it’s the “what if” and the “why” that pushes me to dig deeper into new subjects, question assumptions, and explore new ideas. Whether it’s picking up a book on a random topic, asking more questions in conversations, or diving into a rabbit hole of online research, I let my curiosity lead the way.
Sometimes, I get so deep in a rabbit hole (like when I was learning how to code) that I forget the path that led me there. But curiosity is what makes learning feel less like a chore and more like an adventure to me. It was what made it easy for me to overcome my anxiety about exploring new areas of knowledge. It reminds me that there’s always something new to discover, no matter how mundane a situation might seem. Even in my routine tasks or relationships with people, I ask, “How can I do this better?” or “What can I learn from this experience?”
2. Learning from My Mistakes
In the not-so-distant past, I saw my mistakes as setbacks, thanks to perfectionism and the pressure to be a shiny example to my younger siblings. But I now understand that they are some of the best teachers. How did I arrive at this conclusion? Just look around us. Look at the stories of the regrets of old people on their deathbeds. I don’t want to look back with regrets. As a result, I’m throwing myself into experiences; whether they lead to mistakes or successes. Every time I stumble—whether it’s in my writing, work, or personal life—I now ask myself, “What is this mistake trying to teach me?” Instead of being bogged down by failure, I see every mistake as an opportunity to refine my skills, adjust my approach, or rethink a strategy.
It’s not always easy. No one enjoys making mistakes, but I’ve learned to take them in stride. If I’ve learned something new from a misstep, then it’s no longer a failure—it’s a step forward. And that shift in mindset has been incredibly freeing.
3. Consuming New Information Daily
Our world is changing rapidly and it’s easy to get swept up in the noise of social media. But I make a point to consciously consume new information every day. Whether it’s reading a few pages of a book, listening to a podcast, or watching a documentary, I make learning a part of my daily routine. I have grown a strong interest in watching video podcasts on YouTube while I do other things; whether it’s driving my daughter to school or cooking. These don’t have to be long, intense learning sessions—sometimes a 10-minute interview or a 20-minute TED Talk is enough to spark new ideas for me.
What I’ve discovered through doing this for a while is that this daily intake of new information adds up. Over time, the knowledge compounds and connects in unexpected ways. I find myself drawing connections between things I’ve read or heard weeks apart, which deepens my understanding of the topics I care about. This is my easiest way to learn.
4. Learning from People Around Me
You don’t have to look far to find a good teacher—people around us often have valuable lessons to share if we’re willing to listen. I’ve made it a point to engage in more meaningful conversations and really listen to people’s experiences. Whether it’s a casual chat with a friend or a colleague’s insight at work, I’m constantly learning from the perspectives of others. We (my husband and I) recently hired a nanny to assist us with caring for our daughter and I enjoy having conversations with her as she opens my eyes to how the younger generations are seeing the world.
It’s humbling to realise how much you can gain just by listening. Everyone has their own expertise, life experiences, and insights to offer, and tapping into those can be a rich source of daily learning. This approach has not only helped me grow but it’s also strengthened my relationships because people appreciate it when you genuinely listen to them.
5. Experimenting and Trying New Things
There’s no learning without doing. While I love reading and consuming content, I’ve realised that real learning happens when you put things into practice. Whether it’s experimenting with a new writing style, trying out a productivity hack, or taking up a hobby that’s completely outside my comfort zone, I’m always testing new ideas to see what sticks. Like my ongoing Write Pact writing challenge which is the reason why I’m writing this essay.
The key here is to embrace the experimental mindset. Not everything I try works, but that’s okay! The point is to stay in a mode of exploration and not be afraid to fail. I’ve found that stepping into new experiences teaches me more about myself and what I’m capable of than anything else.
6. Reflecting on What I’ve Learned
Learning without reflection is one step away from information overload. That’s why I’ve made it a habit to reflect on what I’m learning, whether through journaling or simply taking a few minutes at the end of the day to think. What did I learn today? How can I apply it? What questions do I still have? How can I improve that thing I learned about?
Reflection helps me consolidate what I’ve learned, making it easier to retain and act on. Plus, it gives me a sense of accomplishment—no matter how small the lesson was, taking time to acknowledge it feels like a win. It’s also a way to track my growth and see how far I’ve come.
7. Applying What I Learn to My Writing
As a writer, everything I learn feeds back into my creative process. Whether it’s a new technique, a storytelling method, or a life lesson, I try to integrate these insights into my writing. Writing itself is one of the best ways to cement what I’m learning because it forces me to articulate and organize my thoughts.
Through my 90-day writing challenge, I’ve made it a goal to explore new ideas every day and write about them. It’s not always easy, and some days the writing feels forced, but I’ve learned that pushing through the discomfort is where growth happens. Each day’s writing session teaches me more about discipline, creativity, and finding my voice. And that’s why I embarked on this journey in the first place.
8. Learning to Be Patient with Myself
Finally, I’ve learned that learning itself is a process that requires patience. It’s tempting to want to master everything immediately, but real growth takes time. There are days when I feel stuck like I’m not making progress fast enough, but I remind myself that learning is cumulative. The small gains add up, and eventually, they lead to big breakthroughs.
I’ve also learned to be kinder to myself in the process. I’m not always going to get it right on the first try, and that’s okay. Learning is about progress, not perfection, and embracing that mindset has allowed me to enjoy the journey more.
The most important thing I’ve realised about learning is that it’s not a destination—it’s a lifelong marathon. Every day brings new opportunities to grow, whether it’s through mistakes, people, books, or just life itself. The key is to stay curious, keep experimenting, and reflect on the lessons along the way.
In a world that’s constantly changing, learning daily has become my way of staying adaptable, evolving, and finding new ways to challenge myself. Whether it’s personal development, career growth, or creative exploration, learning has become the thread that ties everything together—and it’s a journey I’m excited to continue.
What have you learnt about lately?
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