6 - Learn Continuously to exercise your brain . . . but what should I learn?

Reason for learning and what should I learn?:   Learning for the mind is equivalent to exercise for the body.  New information acquired through reading books and talking to people will change your life.  Make it your mission to learn as much as you can about as much as you can.  Ask questions without the fear of appearing stupid.  This is one of the sad realities; some of us fear asking questions, fearing how we will be perceived. 

What should I learn about?

There are hundreds of learning topics that will inspire your quest for knowledge.  Set learning goals and continuously ask yourself what should I learn about. Below are some topics to get you thinking:

  • Agriculture
  • Architecture
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Automobile technology (our vehicle’s computer system)
  • Autobiographies
  • Chemistry
  • Computers and the internet
  • Cooking, food and wine
  • Engineering
  • Environmental change
  • Entrepreneurship 
  • Families and relationships
  • Finance
  • Health and wellness
  • History of the world
  • Home and garden
  • Human psychology
  • Literature
  • Money
  • Music, film and entertainment
  • Outdoor and nature
  • Philosophy
  • Photography and design
  • Physics
  • Politics
  • Programming
  • Religion and spirituality
  • Robotic products (coming soon)
  • Scientific facts
  • Science and technology
  • Self-help
  • Solar power
  • Sports and games
  • The internet of things
  • Travel
  • Urbanization
  • Web design and development
  • Writing
  • And so much more . . . 

Some of the most successful people are the ones that read the most books. Bill Gates, Elon Musk and Warren Buffet all are avid readers.  They are also billionaires!  I just watched a documentary on Bill Gates and he goes on private retreats with an entire carry bay full of books where his entire focus is on reading!

A great website is www.Waitbuywhy.com.   The founder of this site does a deep dive into a wide variety of topics that most people only have a basic concept of, in an easy to understand format, complete with simple illustrations.  

What should I learnWhat should I learn? Choose from hundreds of general knowledge topics and start learning!

TED Talks

Watching TED talks is a great way to learn about a variety of topics.  Some of the world's most influential people have recorded TED talks on everything you can imagine ranging from personal motivation to deep science. 

TED = Technology, Entertainment and Design

The following is the start of a list of great TED talks which I've watched which I highly recommend:

Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator (Tim Urban) - This TED talk is inspirational and deeply connected with goals which you consider that most people procrastinate when there is no specific date for getting something done.  Think of school where even procrastinators will complete an important task at the last minute because of a due date.  The "T" in SMART goals stands for time bound which is the key for putting a deadline and sense of urgency for the "PANIC MONSTER" to kick-in.  A must watch!

10 Ways to have a Better Conversation (Celeste Headlee) - A great look at the ways most fail to communicate because we are too interested what we are going to say next rather than really listening to a person for the purpose of understanding.  

What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness (Robert Waldinger) - 

More than 80 years ago, scientists began tracking the health and happiness of 268 Harvard sophomores in 1938.  After researching hundreds of men and women from all walks of life throughout the course of their lives, it has been discovered that the QUALITY OF YOUR RELATIONSHIPS with the important people in your life are far more important than your career and your financial position in life, even though most people think that money and fame are most important. 


Suggested Target Goal:   List and learn about the key technologies that are part of my life. 

Outrageous Goal:  Learn about one new topic each day.

This approach to learning, and making learning a focus through the establishment of monthly learning goals, is an important and exciting goal area.    The best way to learn is by talking to people and reading books.  

Just recently, I was speaking to a wise, 85-year-old man, named Peter, in a local grocery store. During our 15-minute conversation, he recommended I read the book, A Short History of Nearly Everything, written by Bill Bryson, and have my children read this also, as a life changing book.  I can’t wait!

Return to personal development goals. 

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Last updated: April 23, 2020