A Steep Learning Curve

There are various definition to "steep learning curve".  I define it as learning (on the y-axis) versus time (on the x-axis).  The steeper the curve, the more learning in a certain amount of time.

Learning doesn't necessarily lead to improvement.  One needs to apply the learning positively and effectively so that he can be better.  

I categorise human being loosely into 4 groups according to their propensity to change:

Group A: Those who don't see that they need to improve, and are not likely to find ways to improve, no matter how much others advise them.

Group B: Those who know they have weaknesses, but are lazy/slow to change.

Group C: Those who know they have weaknesses, and are trying very hard to be better, because they need to change due to circumstances around them.

Group D: Those who learn very fast and improve very fast, without anyone needing to tell them what to do. 

Having self-awareness is a good start.  Knowing where we are and what we need to do is critical to improvement.  Dr Wayne Dyer once said, "My goal is not to be better than anyone else, but to be better than I used to be.".  Interesting perspective, and meaningful.

How then, can we learn and improve fast?  There are two things we can do, in my opinion:

• There are many people who dwell in the same mistakes over and over again, and they can't seem to move ahead fast. 

Whenever we have made a mistake or been advised to change, we make a note in our mind, and change straight away.  People with steep learning curves do make mistakes.  But they make each mistake only once; they remember, improve and move on. 

It may not always have to be mistakes.  It can be an advice.  For example, when my dentist encouraged me, more than 20 years ago, to floss every evening before brushing my teeth, I have been doing that all these while. And my teeth have been in very good condition ever since. 

• We can also learn from other people's mistakes.  Observe the mistakes made by others / advice given to others.  For example, when my boss "advised" a colleague not to check his emails during meetings, I made sure I won't do that too (I hardly bring my laptop to meetings anyway), because I understand the need to be focused and participate actively during meetings.  But some of my colleagues continue to reply emails and messages on their laptops during meetings.  I always advised my students: don't assume the boss is blind.

Another example:  I take note of the common illnesses and problems faced by the elderly, and I do things now, to reduce the risk of myself getting into those situations.  Like, having a balanced diet, reduced consumption of sugar and red meat, having a proper sleep habit, ensuring sufficient calcium intake, etc. We can improve faster when we are aware of things that have happened. and collate a list of dos and don'ts for our life.  The biggest hurdle for many, in my opinion, is the "it won't happen to me" attitude.

Many dangers and competitions lurk in this world/society.  It is imperative that we learn fast and improve fast, so that we are ahead of others.  The purpose should not be about power and money, but about happiness and meaningful living.