How Learning Increases Your Contribution

Back in June, I started a meme on my site called the “Learning Edge.”  The challenge was to share what you were learning, and what “edges” you were pushing in your learning. From all the people who participated, I learned something profound: I saw that in life, you can either coast, or grow, and the choice is yours.

If you’re coasting along, not pushing yourself to learn beyond what you already know, then you aren’t stretching yourself. You’re on a plateau, subject to the ravages of the status quo (I say ravages because stagnation and entropy set in when we aren’t taking in anything new... it’s fundamental thermodynamics, really).  I think of that as existing.

The alternative is to actively learn, to seek out learning in an area you see that you could use some growth in. The subject matter isn’t really important; the fact that you’re stretching yourself, to go beyond what (and who) you were before, is. I think of that as living.

And what does learning have to do with making a difference, you ask?

One of the core elements of my business is about exploring the difference that working with a clear sense of purpose makes in your life. And one of the greatest differences that I see in people who embrace their purpose is that it lights a fire inside them; a passion to grow, to learn, to contribute, and to be an active part of the change they want to see in the world (hats off to M. Gandhi).

I believe learning has a strong tie to contribution. We are like hoses — put a little in, get a little out. But crank up the input, and you start blasting out the other end.

When you’re absorbing knowledge, cultivating wisdom, and conscious of the growth in your life, you can’t help but shower the fruits of your learning on the world around you, sharing what's inside you to make a difference in other's lives. And that’s the essence of contribution.

The bigger you become, the more you have to share. And when you’re actively seeking growth, it lights you up. You’ve got more energy, more juice to share with those in your world. And when you’re clear on the difference you want to make in the world, on the quality and character of your contribution, then all of that life force can be directed towards positive change, towards improving your life and the lives of those your heart feels drawn to touch.

So, my questions to you are these: Do you know what your purpose is? Do you see the difference you’re here to make, the contribution that you are a part of? And are you actively moving towards a greater expression of it, or have you been coasting?

There’s a lot of support around you, if you need it.  And a lot of opportunity to grow, expand, share, and give.

What are you waiting for?

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Adam Kayce is the founder of Monk at Work, which provides you with tools to tap into your potential.  He lives in an itty-bitty town a couple hours outside Washington, D.C. with his wife and two girls.

Comments

[tim]

"The bigger you become, the more you have to share."

I love that Adam. It's a paradox. Because if you keep learning and don't share any of it...you become a smaller person.

Learn something to give it away. If your still teaching what you learned 10 years ago...you're stuck...and you're not learning.

[Joanna Young]

Thanks Adam, for stretching us with your contribution here. I love the way you use simple analogies to convey powerful messages and the water hose definitely works for me!

Like Tim the point about the bigger you become the more you have to share really struck a chord...and this piece on the exuberance of learning, the necessity of passing on that which you've learned...

"When you’re absorbing knowledge, cultivating wisdom, and conscious of the growth in your life, you can’t help but shower the fruits of your learning on the world around you, sharing what's inside you to make a difference in other's lives"

Joanna

[dave]

Hi Adam! I too cropped a line that caused sudden impact:

"You’re on a plateau, subject to the ravages of the status quo."

This is one of the reasons that I so appreciate JJLN - One or two simple lines in an essay are like flint striking the rock above a pile of dry and brittle twigs.

I would gather that many of you feel this way too. Those who seek enlightenment possess a slightly higher degree of awareness. Its like our minds are those twigs. Dry, yearning for the spark and not the flame thrower. For once the flame takes hold, our internal flames would overwhelm the flame of the flame thrower.

Sorry Adam. Perhaps I drifted, but maybe I didn't.

[Steve Sherlock]

Thanks for sharing this Adam. "I saw that in life, you can either coast, or grow, and the choice is yours."

The choice is clear. Thanks for the reminder!

[Adam Kayce]

@Tim, I agree completely. I suppose it’s another example of the “nature abhors a vacuum” statement — when you give, you are given to.

@Joanna, you’re welcome — sometimes simple is best!

@Dave, nope, you didn’t drift... I got it completely. The “ravages of the status quo” lines was one of my favs, too (isn’t it great when we surprise ourselves?).

@Steve, you’re welcome for the reminder; it’s a good one for us all, isn’t it? I catch myself in ruts now and again, and I always remember the saying, “The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth of the hole.” That feeling of coasting is my signal now that I’m probably not paying enough attention.

[Rosa Say]

As Dave said, I love that water hose analogy Adam, but also the questions you pose at the end that give us a short example of the kind of work you do with people in making YOUR difference in their lives.

My encouragement is for all our JJL readers to truly answer those questions for themselves – don’t just consider them a writer’s tactic in ending an article. What will your contribution be? How will you make a difference?

When we focus on what will get blasted out of that host, and all the visionary possibility of it, our contribution becomes larger than us, and we take on a demeanor of serving it, becoming servant leaders.

The learning – contribution connection is pure goodness and great incentive Adam; mahalo for sharing this.