1. Learning through Personal Experiences
The most fundamental way of learning is through personal experiences, where we gain knowledge by directly undergoing experiences. This method is extremely impactful but also the most demanding in terms of time, emotional energy, and mind space. This is the form of learning we all go through, some more intentionally than the others.
2. Learning from People
Learning from others happens naturally throughout life, from parents, peers in the classroom, professors in college, colleagues at office. However, this is mostly a factor of our surrounding and very few approach this proactively. The ones who are able to make effort in seeking people and learning from them, learn from the experiences of others - which is incredibly valuable. While it does not eliminate the need to experience these learnings ourselves, it shortens the learning curve and definitely provides an edge.
3. Learning through Resources
Resources like books, podcasts, and videos offer flexible, self-directed learning. This is the most structured form of learning. Most of us go through it during pre-school, school and then UG/PG but often let go of such learning when we enter the workforce. However, the most successful people are always learning from these resources (reading is the #1 common denominator amidst successful folks). This form of learning is in our control (not dependent on situations or people) and can provide a distinct advantage for those who master it.
Combining personal experiences, learning from others, and utilising resources is key to lifelong growth. By understanding and actively engaging with all three methods, we can become intentional learners and continually improve ourselves.
I got really lucky to figure out a mechanism to bake all three in my life. My podcast allows me the opportunity to learn from my own experiences (of running the show), leaning from the people I host (many of them engage in stimulating conversations that help me grow) and I have to research immensely for each conversation (thus, learning from resources). Very fundamental learning ideology that we must all grasp.