Four Downsides of Being a Lifelong Learner

I’ve always invested heavily—both money and time—in my own personal and professional growth.

But I’ve discovered there are some downsides to this kind of commitment. The four items listed here are related, but each presents its own challenge.

Do you identify with any of them?

#1 – Accumulating a lot of knowledge without applying it in the real world.

I admit that I rarely read novels. I prefer business books on topics like marketing, sales, leadership and personal development. That’s because I absolutely love my business, and I’m always interested in learning how to improve systems, relationships and of course, our bottom line.

But sometimes I start on the next book before I’ve taken time to analyze and use the insights gleaned from the one I just read.

LESSON: Look for the nuggets.

For every book or program you go through, list the ideas that make sense for your situation. Then commit to implementing immediately the ONE strategy that will make the biggest difference in your business or life, and hold yourself accountable for doing it.

#2 – Getting overwhelmed with too much information.

As I read books and newsletters, watch videos, and listen to podcasts, I can get paralyzed. There are so many directions to go.

How can I organize the mass of ideas into a cohesive action plan?

How do I deal with conflicting opinions and determine whose approach will get the best results?

LESSON: It’s about quality, not quantity.

Determine the one subject, program, or book to focus on, and dedicate time to it. Then use your gut as well as your logical mind to evaluate the concepts presented. Which ones sound and feel right for you right now?

Just one book with one idea can transform the way you do things and the outcomes you achieve.

#3 – Spending money on the next hot idea before mastering the ones already purchased.

Falling into this trap contributes to the situation described in #2. Some people call this tendency the “shiny object” syndrome. I’ll hear about a great solution to a business challenge, and I sometimes want to dive into that when I haven’t finished going through the materials I’ve already invested in.

LESSON: Use self-restraint and self-discipline.

Say NO to any attractive offers that come along until you’ve fully digested the one you’re consuming now. Unsubscribe from mailing lists that continually blast you with the next great offer promising to double or triple your results. Find someone (e.g., business partner, colleague, or spouse) who will require you to justify your reason for wanting to make a particular purchase.

#4 – Experiencing the uneasy feeling that you’re still not ready or good enough.

When I’m studying the work of people who’ve specialized in a particular subject for many years, I sometimes feel inadequate. I’ve postponed taking action because of thoughts like, “If I just get a little more information about THIS, then I’ll be able to do THAT.” The truth is, there’s no end to the comparisons that could be made where I would fall short.

LESSON: Give yourself full credit for what you DO know.

No matter what field you’re in, there’s always room to grow and learn. You’ll never reach the end of what you can become, but don’t let that stop you from using the knowledge, skills, and talents you already possess. Recognize that when you try things, they don’t have to be perfect.

"Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection." - Mark Twain

The Bottom Line

Despite the drawbacks I’ve described here, I intend to continue my pursuit of becoming a better version of myself. The process of thinking about and articulating these four downsides has made me more keenly aware of their potential to harm instead of help me in my journey. As a result, I’m keeping my eyes wide open and am more careful to avoid these traps going forward.

“All of the top achievers I know are life-long learners looking for new skills, insights, and ideas. If they're not learning, they're not growing... not moving toward excellence." - Denis Waitley

Learn More

What if you could help leaders strengthen their interest in continuous learning and avoid the downsides I describe here?

Now you can, with GSL SkillBuilder!

This unique, self-paced program strengthens 36 character skills and 10 high-impact communication skills that every leader needs to be effective.

Watch this 2-minute video about Self-development explaining what it is and why it’s important. Contact me to find out how you can use GSL SkillBuilder in your leadership development programs.

About Meredith

Meredith Bell is co-founder and president of Grow Strong Leaders . Her company publishes assessment and development tools that help leaders strengthen their character and communication skills to build strong relationships and inspire others to high performance. Meredith is the author of three books, and the host of the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast .

You can get details about Meredith’s products, books, and podcast at GrowStrongLeaders.com.