Stop learning and start creating
I introduced the Compliance Queen, Nicole Rose on my blog last week. Thanks to Nicole for thinking of me this week when she came across a TED talk she thought I might be interested in. And interested I was!
The video showcases child prodigy Jacob Barnett taking to the TEDxTEEN stage.
Diagnosed with autism from birth and on the precipice of teenage-hood, Jacob delivers his talk with such knowledge and eloquence.
Although he’s talking quantum mechanics and physics, his message is applicable to all areas of learning. Jacob totally believes in the power of learning, but thinks that it is even more powerful to stop learning every so often so you can transition from learning, to thinking, to creating. Jacob argues that only by immersing yourself in thinking about what you’ve learnt and applying what you’ve learnt can you create. Music to my ears of course! My mind immediately leapt to interpret ‘thinking’ as reflection – which regular readers will know I believe to be absolutely crucial to any transfer of learning process.
As an intrinsic learner by nature it is confronting to hear him say “stop learning”. But listen on, and I’m encouraged by his argument to “stop being a student of that field. BE the field. Then maybe you can create something.”
And maybe he’s right. After a workplace learning initiative, stop learning! Stop learning, and think about what you’ve learnt. By thinking and reflecting on what you’ve learnt, and applying what you’ve learnt, you can start to create real individual change. Check out Jacob’s TED talk below: