Being a lifelong apprentice
As human beings we have a natural drive to strive for mastery. This desire for excellence and superiority – becoming your best - can be incredibly self-motivating. There is a positivity about looking forward and focusing on progress, however there is also a downside. We are our own worst critics and combined with external pressures, we often feel bad about our perceived inability to “master” something – whatever that concept really means.
“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.”
- Ernest Hemingway
The 20th century novelist was referring to writing but Hemingway’s words highlight the futility of striving for an unattainable goal and why we should instead adopt a mindset of lifelong learning.
The apprenticeship relationship involves a person (the apprentice) giving their time and labour to learn under the instruction of a skilled craftsperson. In her book, The Apprentice Mindset, author Katarvia Taylor reflects on the idea that since the beginning of time “apprenticeships have been the key to unlocking potential and helping humanity find purpose and success”.
Could this way of thinking help us break through our perceived limitations and live life to its fullest potential?
Having a lifelong apprentice mindset is more than a commitment to continuous learning, it is a way of thinking and maintaining intellectual humility – accepting that you may be wrong, imperfect or imprecise and are therefore always open to acquiring new knowledge, experiences and skills.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the value to be gained.
Stay ahead of disruption
Change is constant. Focusing too narrowly on one area of “mastery” or expertise in a rapidly changing world means you are opening yourself up to being left behind. Either that skill becomes obsolete, or you simply miss the benefits that innovation and trends can create. Whether it is related to your career or personal development, learning to do many things well opens opportunities.
Lean in to being uncomfortable
Being open to learning also means knowing and accepting where your knowledge gaps or cognitive blind spots are. Once you are comfortable with an area of expertise, it's time to start looking elsewhere. It is too easy to keep focusing on your strengths, what is really empowering is when you embrace and seek new learning experiences.
Learning is good for your health
The research tells us that being a lifelong learner is beneficial socially (when you engage in an activity you will meet people with similar interests), economically (knowledge and skills increase employability) and importantly, learning impacts positively on wellbeing. When we learn new things we create new neural pathways in our brain, increasing or preserving our cognitive function among other things. We know that as we age, learning can provide benefits and health improvements.
There are many reasons to embrace lifelong learning, in fact growth and development is an intrinsically human characteristic. Here are some ways to help you find and cultivate a passion for being a lifelong apprentice.
1-Learning needs to become a ritual
A traditional approach to acquiring new knowledge is through formal education and training but learning does not always have to come out of a classroom. Personal and professional development – interpersonal, leadership, reflection, adaptability – can be self-driven and achieved through books, micro-learning, audiobooks, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), or listening to podcasts. In the modern day, there are countless ways where knowledge is shared, making it easier than ever to create a habit of lifelong learning.
2-Work towards aligning your ideal self and real self
The apprenticeship relationship is grounded on the idea of learning from the experience of others. Seek out others and learn from their experiences or look for guidance to navigate your personal and professional goals through coaching. One-on-one coaching can help you realise who you want to be by exploring your gaps and helping to construct a roadmap for change.
3-Find you own apprentice
Taking the role of mentor can help strengthen your own knowledge. As well as providing an opportunity to develop your interpersonal skills, working with a mentee requires you to share relevant knowledge which helps reinforce it within yourself. There is a lot you can learn from your mentee; they may just teach you about things that add to your wheelhouse.
4-Set out to make mistakes
We will all make mistakes in life, what is important is that we take ownership and accept criticism because it will open new perspectives and help you improve. What you learn from these often-uncomfortable experiences will be some of the most important life lessons. Remember, if you are not making mistakes, you are not growing.
The Takeaway
Becoming a lifelong apprentice requires an openness and curiosity to grow and learn. It is accepting that learning is a continuous journey and that every day is a school day. Once you learn how to learn, you'll discover endless opportunities for growth.
One-on-One Coaching
Best of Today provides personally tailored one-on-one coaching to help you on your journey of exploring your very best professional and personal self, with a particular focus on life-enhancing change. Your Best of Today coach will help you uncover your potential, spotlighting what is positive and possible and supporting you to discover the next steps for yourself.