Having Trouble Learning New Lessons

You're forgetting a key step

It doesn’t matter how good the seed you plant is if the soil is bad. You’ll get nothing.

“Words need to be sown like seed. No matter how tiny a seed may be, when it lands in the right sort of ground it unfolds its strength and from being minute expands and grows to a massive size.” (Seneca, Letter XXXVIII)

Words are like seeds. I find myself constantly reading books, watching videos and listening to podcasts searching for the secrets. Searching for words that make me say “Oh SH**! I never looked at it that way.” But reading this line by Seneca was a wake up call. 

To learn a lesson, there are two steps, and I only focus on one. I focus on improving the quality and quantity of my seeds. I never focus on the quality of my soil. How many beautiful seeds have passed me by because I was too arrogant, distrusting or unfocused to learn? Even the greatest lessons the world has to teach would mean nothing if I’m not prepared to learn.

To become great soil, assume everybody has something to teach you. Assume that everybody is better than you in some way, even if you can’t see it right away. Assume you can always become better and chase that improvement without arrogance.

Humility is not increasing your regard for yourself, it’s increasing your regard for others. Humility is the key ingredient to good soil. 

So this message is to everybody trying to learn, which if you’re a Big Nerd is probably you. Take some of the time you spend looking for seeds and use it to make better soil. 

Question of The Day 

Have you ever looked back and realized you missed a big lesson? Why did you miss it?

Your Biggest Fan,

Noah “BigNerd” Sochaczevski