‘Those Who Keep Learning Keep Rising’

Need a Culture Boost?: Building Extraordinary and Adaptive Cultures Course Available Now!

Are you a leader, consultant, coach or trainer? Join Belongify and get certified!

The title above is paraphrased from the great Charlie Munger, lifelong wingman of renowned investor Warren Buffett, who claims Charlie is the smartest man he knows. His statement got me thinking about how much I believe in this mantra of relentless, lifelong learning.

I’m writing this while on a plane flying to Atlanta from Calgary, and during my trip to the bathroom from row 14 to 40, I was curious how many folks were watching something, versus listening or reading. It’s not even close. The vast majority were viewing something on their devices. So what?

Apparently the average American reads one book per year. I wonder how much learning is missing when we read so little? I understand that we consume information from ALL media, but reading rich content seems to leave more room to pause, reflect, THINK and truly absorb.

Munger, who is still going at 98 years old, believes that knowledge is an asset that compounds over time. The more we know, the better choices we make. This includes making the space to think, to ponder, to study, to create well-informed hypotheses and principles for living. This helps us better understand WHY we behave the way we do, and to ideally take more informed action accordingly.

Munger and Buffett, in support of this commitment to learning, set aside time daily just to THINK. Do you and I set enough time daily to just think? Or are we exhausted from reacting to the daily grind, and mostly succumb to the numbness of algorithm driven content on our screens? (And yes, I do like to occasionally binge watch streaming content).

I believe the best way to live our overall purpose in life is to be in service to other people. Being abundant includes generously sharing what we know in ways that might help others. The more we know, the better questions we can ask ourselves and others. Listening to the answers with compassion is an act of care. It creates room for better decisions and more constructive outcomes.

Compound growth on our money and knowledge is a pretty darn good combination for a gratifying life. I know I can get better at both. The ultimate mantra: Learn more to give more.

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now,

- Lorne

One Millennial View: Interestingly enough, on the radio recently, the DJ was commenting about how he never observes his teenage son physically write anything. All his school work is completed via a screen (and he didn’t even mention a computer keyboard, rather a tablet or phone). Even my handwriting skills have plummeted since regular note taking throughout formal education. Does that mean I’m not writing or note taking as much? Not necessarily.

When it comes to levels of consuming physical literature, a one book per year average is alarmingly low. However, when it comes to our modern eyes comprehending information via words from texts, emails, articles, social media posts, subtitles, and more, heck - we could be “reading” the equivalent word count of multiple books per year. That being said, the typo-riddled pontifications from uncredentialed amateurs that flood our eyes might meet the “reading” quota, yet fall short, and perhaps hinder that whole “learning” thing we’re trying to do. Published books offer a little more factual security and thoughtful references.

Then there’s thought - A big round of applause to the elderly billionaires for “taking time out of the day to just think.” Yeah, well, when we normal people are driving, walking, showering, on the treadmill, etc., our minds aren’t just empty hamster wheels. Don’t worry, we all do enough thinking, even if we don’t have a wing in our homes dedicated to it. The world is going to figure out more modern variety to advance learning, different generations will utilize their own options, however if you’re taking time out of your day to consume stuff like this, then you’re certainly participating in the desire to continue learning.

P.S. I have nothing against billionaires, and appreciate what they provide for thousands of employees and their industries. If they have earned a “thinking wing” in their homes, all the power to them.

- Garrett

Edited and published by Garrett Rubis.

‘Those Who Keep Learning Keep Rising’

Search Blog Posts:

Follow Us: