Learning Is Never Finished

As you move forward on the path of continuous growth, equally important to opening your world at work is opening your world in your personal life. A balance between interesting professional experiences and exciting personal life experiences is essential to keep growing.

Travel. Where you go is not important. Just go.

Do regular volunteer work. Again, the type of work you do is far less important than the act of serving others.

Start a new hobby. Choose something intriguing that you will need to study and learn about, which will compel growth.

Learn a foreign language. You never know when knowing a second language might come in handy. While you’re at it, learn as much as you can about the history and culture of the people who speak that language.

Spend time with interesting people. Listen to their stories about their own diverse experiences. Find out their opinions on current events — even if you disagree, there is a lot of growth in listening to another person’s perspective.

Read widely. Read a biography of someone whose life you know very little about. Sit down, finally, with that classic novel you have always wanted to finish. If you are already a voracious reader, choose a genre outside of your usual taste.

Create your own adventure. Try skydiving or white-water rafting. Take scuba diving lessons so you have an excuse to go to Belize. Expand your hiking skills and equipment, and try low-elevation mountain climbing.

Think of these new experiences as if they were different colors on a painter’s palette. The more experiences you have, whether at work or in your personal life, the more colors you have at your disposal and the more likely you are to create a masterpiece.

Ken Blanchard is a best-selling author, speaker and chief spiritual officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies. He can be reached at editor@CLOmedia.com.