The Importance of Continuous Learning

SPeter Senge, author of The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization states, "Learning is not a competitive advantage, it is the only sustainable competitive advantage." (1) Organizations that prioritize continuous learning foster innovation and individual growth. While individual learning isn't a guaranteed predictor of success, it's a fundamental requirement.

I discovered Dr. Senge's writing on Learning Organizations years ago, and what stood out is that not only did the idea of a Learning Organization offer wisdom for the corporate world, but also for individual learning and growth.

Beyond organizational benefits, lifelong personal learning offers profound life advantages – fulfillment, longevity, and personal mastery. As Ruth Flexman notes in the Delaware Journal of Public Health, "Lifelong learning opportunities help to fight cognitive decline through increasing mental stimulation and social interaction." (2)

What is Personal Mastery?

Senge defines personal mastery as possessing an unwavering sense of purpose, the ability to leverage challenges for growth, and a commitment to ongoing learning. It echoes the philosophy of Miyamoto Musashi, the legendary swordsman, who wrote in The Book of Five Rings:

"Once you have sharpened your intellect to the point where you can see whatever in the world is true or not, where you can tell whatever is good or bad, and when you are experienced in various fields and are incapable of being fooled at all by people of the world, then your mind will become imbued with the knowledge and wisdom of the art of war.” (3)

Miyamoto Musashi was a samurai warrior who never lost a duel and in his writings, he highlighted the importance of the continued pursuit of mastery as a key ingredient to his prowess. Mastery transcends mere expertise; it's a continuous process of challenging oneself and striving for improvement. As a passionate learner of languages, combat arts and other hobbies (i.e., chess), the principle of "sharpening your intellect", as Musashi calls it, is a continual goal.

The S-Curve of Learning

The journey to mastery isn't linear. Research highlights the S-curve as a model for growth across various phases. I discovered the S-curve during a recent coaching conference and the principles around how individuals learn through the curve resonated with me. Whitney Johnson, an expert on disruptive innovation, explains:

“The S-curve decodes these systems by providing signposts along a path that, while frequently trod, is not always evident. We hypothesize that those who can successfully navigate, even harness, the successive cycles of learning and maxing out that resemble the S-curve will thrive in this era of personal disruption.”(4)

The Phases of the S-Curve

The S-curve can be broken down into three distinct phases:

1. Launch Point: The initial stage, is characterized by slow progress, a steep learning curve, and potential frustration.
2. Sweet Spot/Takeover: A period of rapid growth, breakthroughs, and increased momentum.
3. Mastery/Plateau: Progress slows down, and the focus shifts to refinement, deepening understanding, and pushing boundaries.

S-Curve: Illustrative Model

Achieving Mastery: The Practicing Mind

To navigate the S-curve effectively, we can leverage the principles of The Practicing Mind by Thomas Sterner. In his book, Sterner describes how he build the framework behind the book through his pursuit of improving his golf game. This framework emphasizes present-moment focus, mindful observation, and continuous improvement.

Integrating the Practicing Mind with the Learning S-Curve (5)

By integrating Sterner's principles with each phase of the S-curve, we can optimize our learning journey:

Phase 1: Launch Point

• Sterner's Principles Applied: Break down tasks, focus on the process, cultivate present-moment awareness, and establish a structured practice routine with short, frequent sessions.
• Key Integration Points: Embrace slowness, celebrate “small wins”, and use the doing, observing and course-correcting to refine your skills.

Phase 2: Sweet Spot

• Sterner's Principles Applied: Maintain detachment, prioritize quality over quantity, engage in mindful observation, and adjust the practice structure to include slightly longer sessions and varied skill components.
• Key Integration Points: Sustain steady progress, refine techniques, and focus on precision.

Phase 3: Mastery/Plateau

• Sterner's Principles Applied: Seek depth and subtlety, cultivate a beginner's mind, integrate different skill components seamlessly, and refine the practice structure to emphasize nuanced improvements.
• Key Integration Points: Embrace challenges, deepen understanding, and appreciate the “small wins”

Implementation Framework

• Daily Practice Structure: Tailor your practice sessions to each phase of the S-curve, focusing on foundational skills during the Launch Point, complex combinations in the Sweet Spot, and subtle refinements at the Mastery stage.
• Mindset Adjustments: Adapt your mindset to each phase, embracing slowness at the Launch Point, maintaining steadiness in the Sweet Spot, and seeking new challenges at the Mastery level.
• Measuring Progress: Focus on qualitative metrics like present-moment engagement, process focus, and learning integration.

My Personal Journey with Language Learning

In 2018, I embarked on a language-learning journey. Motivated by a desire to acquire a valuable life skill, explore new cultures, and enhance my cognitive abilities, I experienced each phase of the S-curve:

• Launch Point: Initially, I felt intimidated and overwhelmed. Applying Sterner's principles, I broke down the learning process into manageable daily tasks (for example, taking 2-3 Duolingo lessons each morning), focused on the process, and established a consistent practice structure.
• Sweet Spot: I experienced rapid progress and incorporated diverse learning methods (using different apps, watching TV shows/movies in my target language, listening to music, chatting with my friends who were native speakers). Mindful observation and subtle refinement helped me refine my techniques; but, most important was the act of just “doing it”.
• Mastery/Plateau: As my progress slowed, I focused on identifying areas of stagnation, approaching learning with a renewed beginner's mind such as adding new languages and even introducing music learning as part of my curriculum.

Conclusion

Combining the wisdom of mindful practice with the natural progression of the learning S-curve creates a powerful pathway to mastery. By understanding the different phases of learning, embracing the principles of the practicing mind, and cultivating a growth mindset, we can unlock our full potential and achieve lasting success in any area of life. I have been fortunate enough to apply these principles and practices to my own lifelong journey and these can be powerful tools for anyone seeking to advance their own knowledge and passions.

Sources:

1. The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization., Senge, Peter. 1990
2. Lifelong Learning: A Key Weapon in Delaware’s Fight Against Cognitive Decline”, Flexman, Ruth.? Delaware Journal Of Public Health.? Sep 27th, 2021
3. ?The Book Of Five Rings. Mushashi, Miyamoto.? Circa 1645.
4. “Throw Your Life A Curve”, Johnson, Whitney.? Harvard Business Review, Sep 3th, 2012
5. The Practicing Mind. Sterner, Thomas. 2006.

Photo Credit:

Books stacked on library shelves by Scopio from Noun Project (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0). https://thenounproject.com/photo/books-stacked-on-library-shelves-bek3l5/