warikoo Wanderings

Welcome to another edition of the Wanderings. Things are really tough for India right now, and I hope that this newsletter gives you momentary solace in some meaningful way. We shall overcome this. This too, shall pass. You hang in there, ok? Hugs :))

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WHAT IS YOUR LEARNING STYLE

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The other day, I was engaging with a follower over email. He was struggling in his current job, which incidentally is also his first job.

In the first quarter itself, he had made several mistakes, made his manager angry, and also shaken the client’s confidence.

He wrote in asking a tough question: “What do you think I am doing wrong?”

I don’t know! How do I know what you are doing wrong? ​
No, this was not what I replied. This was what I told myself :)

“What do YOU think you are doing wrong?” I asked.

He replied, “I still do not fully know how the company works. The mistakes that I made were because I did not have a full understanding of everything. And I was hesitant to ask.”

“Now, that is a good start. WHY do you think you do not fully know how the company works?”

“Because they have these manuals to read. And that is so boring. I have tried to read them so many times, but I always miss out on the details.”

“Let me ask you a different question. Did you enjoy reading the school textbooks, when you had to study or learn something new?”

“Oh, I always hated it!”

“So, how did you learn something new?”

“I always asked my best friend to explain it for me."

“Awesome! That is useful information. Also, did you excel in your practical classes more than you theory classes or vice versa?”

“I ALWAYS loved my practical classes. And did surprisingly better in them than the theory.”

“Well, here is my conclusion then. Your dominant style of learning is listening and doing. Not reading or writing. The reason you are struggling to grasp the way the company works is because you haven’t consumed that information in a manner that matches your learning style.”

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It is baffling how many of us, even people deep in their careers, have never stopped to ask themselves, “How do I learn the best?”

Because in the answer lies the key to becoming a student, at will.

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It is clear that the ONLY way to win in life is if you have the ability to become a student, at will. You can learn ANYTHING you want, WHENEVER you want! That is a super power.
But an important criteria to get to this, is to know how is the best way you learn.

Do you learn by writing, by reading, by watching, by listening or by doing?

Even if you try and learn something exciting but adopt a form of learning that is not your natural style, you will struggle. It’s just the law of nature.

I think you can guess what the question of the week is :)

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HOPE IS A GOOD THING

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In today’s tough times, Hope is scarce and its need is immense.

I wrote about this last week - “10 times I almost gave up hope”

You can read it on Twitter, LinkedIn, or hear it as a podcast on Spotify, Apple or JioSaavn.

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BOOK THAT I AM READING RIGHT NOW

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I started reading this absolutely unreal book by David Goggins “Can’t Hurt Me”
I LOVE David Goggins - and if you get to know more about him you will love him too. This is one guy who was possibly dealt the worst cards ever - and yet emerged from virtually nothing to become who he is today.

Check him out in this video. It is breathtaking and awe inspiring (and full of profanity - please be cautious).

So I am a little embarrassed to be getting to his book so late in life. But better late than never.

The book is his life story. And it is intense. And really hard hitting. The first chapter itself, when he describes his violent father in such gory details, is a lot to take in. But you have to consume it to fully appreciate the transformation he went through.

PLEASE pick up this book - if you think you are not capable and can’t do anything in life.

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QUOTES TO SHARE

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We always feel we don’t know enough.
And hence delay the start. 
When the truth is we will only know once we start.
​(Share on Twitter)​

Curiosity has created more opportunities than hard work ever will.
​(Share on Twitter)​

I know as long as I have hope, I have a reason.
​(Share on Twitter)​

We become the stories we read, the thoughts we attend to and the reactions we choose.
​(Share on Twitter)​

Don’t ask questions if you aren’t prepared to hear the answer.
​(Share on Twitter)​

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RESPONSES FROM LAST WEEK

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Last week I asked all of you:

If you are sad or angry or hurt, which of these do you prefer? And why?

1. Being consoled or entertained by someone else
2. Being alone and not doing anything
3. Being alone with your phone or laptop or TV

Here are the results
45% of you chose option 2 - being alone and not doing anything.
34% chose option 3 - being alone with your phone/laptop/TV
And only 20% said they would like to be consoled or entertained by someone else

While I am not surprised with Option 2 as the dominant one - option 1/3 tells a story! This is such a stark difference from a generation ago, when option 1 would have been the dominant option from 1 and 3. It is crazy to think how the world has placed us around things, that can replace people!
PS: My response is also option 2 :)

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QUESTION FOR THIS WEEK

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What is your dominant form of learning?

1. Reading
2. Writing
3. Listening
4. Watching
5. Doing

​To participate, click here.

Ofcourse, you can always send me an email. I love reading them, even if I cannot answer all of them.
I read all my emails. ALL my emails.
​(“Main jitna jaldi chahta hoon ki 2021 khattam ho jaye” ki kasam)

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Please stay safe everyone. Stay indoors. And stay strong.

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