Nerds!???

Yesterday, I had a strange experience at the gym. I usually work out at a Curefit - house of cult , where you have designated time slots for workouts. If you arrive more than 5 minutes late, you're not allowed to attend. I arrived early as usual and was reading on my iPad. While chatting with a regular gym buddy, I mentioned that I was studying. Another regular member overheard and made a disapproving face, saying, "Studying?"

The reaction honestly took me aback. 

The reason - I love learning something new every day. Studying on an everyday basis is a part of my profession; however, that is what makes it exciting. 

I live by two beliefs:

1.        Learning never stops.

2.        Change is the only constant.

And I don't mind admitting that I'm a NERD and a GEEK. I can devour any material I come across. 

I'm beginning to think that "nerds" are often portrayed inaccurately.

When I mention "NERD," the first image that comes to mind (I even tried this experiment with a friend) is of someone:

• Wearing glasses.
• A know-it-all.
• Possibly unattractive, with lots of acne or buck teeth.
• An introvert, practically friendless.
• Having no life outside of studying.
• And last but not least, having no sense of style in dressing.

Don't worry; due to societal conditioning, the same image crops up in my head, too 😊

However, is it true? Probably not.

I am a nerd for sure, and I know my friend, Kappu Anand , is one too. And both of us are simply beautiful.

Kappu Anand is very precise and methodical, with a high level of IQ and intelligence. A very grounded and beautiful person that I have always met and connected with virtually, and I hope to meet in person someday.

I, on the other hand, am one of the few female technology trainers out there. Students have often told me that they didn't expect a female trainer. Most of the time, when I meet guys, I am frequently misjudged for being low on intelligence just because I look pretty.

 To add to that, I even party and have friends, and I watch animated movies and work out like crazy. and I love travelling.

We broke some misconceptions about being nerds, didn't I?

More often than not, it is the image of a "nerd" that causes people not to continue improving themselves. People are often afraid to try something new or learn something new due to the fear of the unknown. To add to that discomfort is the worry about what people will think and the fear of being seen as a nerd and being laughed at.

Why should you learn?

"Worried about Alzheimer's hitting you in the old age? Start learning"

1. Learning is the primary way to keep your brain active. Every time you learn something new, your brain must build new neural pathways. 
2. The world is changing too fast due to technology. It would help if you kept yourself abreast.
3. You might come up with a new idea or new perspective. 
4. You might discover something you love.

How can you start learning? It's straightforward. 

Did you ever want to learn something in your childhood and couldn't? Something that you were passionate about and couldn't. Please do it now.

Other tips –

• Listen to podcasts 
• Read books 
• Try doing something new. 

• A new place 

• Or something as simple as a new route home. 

 I always say this during my training sessions:

"Learning never stops. The day you stop learning, you stop growing."