What is a great learner?

In Tuesday’s post I shared the experience of watching an accomplished scientist – Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson – who demonstrates unusual enthusiasm for learning and discovery. He is somebody we might call a great learner.

So, what is a great learner? Here’s a suggestion:

A great learner is one who excels in their chosen field through commitment to excellence in learning and performance. Such a learner seeks to improve performance or gain realizations consistently through deliberate practice.

Great learners come in all shapes, sizes and sexes. They come from all parts of the world. Some are religious. Others are non-religious. Some are 8 years old, some are 80.

When we investigate the lives of such learners we discover that they share a few common qualities: tremendous motivation, a focus on preparation, a commitment to deliberate practice, deep curiosity about the subject matter, a willingness to take risks, the ability to transform adversity, and seeking help from guides, mentors coaches or other supporters.

Furthermore they show consistent, joyful effort in persevering in the achievement of their goals.

To reassure readers who may already be thinking “that’s not me, I can’t possibly attain those standards”, exceptional learning does not require an exceptional mind – or for that matter exceptional anything.

With the right conditions and strong motivation, everybody can make progress and eventually become a great learner, achieving great performance or attaining high realizations.

Assuming those conditions – that you are fed, housed, living in a usually peaceful household in a usually peaceful community, and free from most mental or physical disabilities – I am confident you can make great progress in your chosen field.

Note as well that as long as you have some mental capacity and capability, age is no barrier to learning. Recent research in the field of neuroscience has shown that people of all ages can learn, i.e. that ‘old dogs’ can learn new tricks.

Next: Why become a great learner?

-David Luke, Senior Consultant at FocusFit (2007) Inc.

© 2011 D. G. Luke and FocusFit (2007) Inc.