7 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners

Having been a perpetual student since preschool, it seems like the world would stop spinning if I wasn't formally learning something. 7 1/2 Habits has shown me, however, that learning is not just about what you are taught in school but also what kinds of things you learn in your day to day life. I think one of hardest habits I will have to cultivate is to "view problems as challenges." I tend to look at things that I don't plan or ask for as problems and do my best just to struggle through them. My dad, however, is a sterling example of viewing each "challenge" as something exciting, fun, and educational, even if he was stranded at the side of the road for hours, or he made a mistake fixing the sprinklers and the yard was flooded with a foot of muddy water. With work, perhaps even I can learn to view the fact that my pants are soaked to the back of my knees on a snowy, wet Logan day as an educational experience teaching me that I should always check the forecast and plan accordingly with boots and umbrella!

One of the habits that I feel was once a weakness and that has become a strength in my later years is that of making goals, and keeping the end in mind. I believe that I have developed this ability with my volunteer work for Canine Companions for Independence. Raising a puppy for people with disabilities requires a TON of work, time, emotion, and adherence to rules. If I didn't keep the end result in mind, that of being able to dramatically help somebody who is disabled, I would be tempted to slack off on the training or to foil the whole plan in order to keep the puppy. By volunteering for CCI, I have learned of the strength that can come from keeping the prize always in sight.