I just finished watching the lifelong learning video and it made me think about my time in graduate school. As an "older" student, I fell into the lifelong learner category at my university. I remember smiling the first time I heard that because I had always considered myself a lifelong learner, even before registering for my first class.
In the past, I have found it difficult to incorporate habit 1 into my plans. I tend to jump headlong into projects without thinking them through and establishing my goal and timeline. In the end, this ends up costing me time and effort that it wouldn't have been necessary to spend if I'd just planned ahead.
I have always been a real "go-getter" when it comes to taking responsibility for my own learning (habit 2). I seem to spend as much time in classes as out of them, whether they be face to face or online. I am an avid reader and try to switch back and forth from fiction to non-fiction, just so I learn something "real" every other time I read a book.
Habits 3 and 4 can be a little challenging for me from time to time. I tend to freak out a little first thing when things go awry, but before long, I jump in, determined to fix the problem. Having confidence in myself as a competent learner is a tough one. I hate it that I compare myself to my fellow students, their projects and knowledge bases, but I do. I will say that sometimes that feeling of inadequacy makes me try harder and end up with better results.
I practice habits 5 and 6 every day in my job, especially now that I'm learning a new job in a new field. I am not sure, but I think I would go into withdrawal without my computer and the internet and all of the tools available there.
I LOVE to teach others. Presenting workshops and speaking to groups is so fun! Habit 7 is probably the easiest of all 7 1/2 for me. Not only is it fun, it's also rewarding to know that you have possibly made someone's job easier because you gave them valuable tools that they can use.
Habit 7 1/2 is a really important one. Sometimes I get lost in the duties, disorder and stress of things and forget that things are better when I lighten up and try to make things fun. This is one that I try to practice, and hopefully it will get easier again, once I'm more comfortable in my new position.
