How to combine work and self-study

We all want to successfully learn something new. The more we know, the deeper we can penetrate into the essence of things and see new opportunities for ourselves and the company. The more opportunities we have to learn, the better we end up performing. However, employing companies often prevent us from doing this.

How we used to learn

As a rule, during school years, we acquire the skill of intensive study, which allows us to master the curriculum of the school, and then the university or other educational institution.

Then we start working. Since we get further professional skills mainly in the process of work, and not from books, we have to learn along the way. However, this method does not give the desired results. This is partly because we begin to prioritize social values, relegate our own learning to the background, and end up at a dead end.

Of course, we understand that self-study is essential for success and personal growth. But we cannot afford to spend more time learning.

We are pressured by what we "should" do: make money, spend time with our family, relax, after all.

The day of a modern person is divided into mutually exclusive segments: work, free time and sleep. The first one we do in the workplace, the other two - outside it. We cannot arbitrarily change their places during the day.

We are trained to equate work with doing business. Therefore, deeds acquire the main value for us. We get paid for them. And, it seems, only for them.

Study is not only work on material, but also rest

If we learn something that is necessary for work, then our brain equates such study and work. This means that you need to do this during the day at the workplace. And if we do not sit in our place and do not study, then we, it turns out, are resting.

For example, we believe that a walk has nothing to do with learning, it is relaxation. We instinctively feel that reading is related to learning. However, discussing what you read is often perceived not as work, but as recreation. But at work it is supposed to work, not rest.

When we try to master something new, the brain processes information in two modes: focused and dispersed.

For successful learning, both modes are equally important and necessary.

We usually associate only focused mode with learning. Still, in this mode we, without being distracted by anything, read, delve into, memorize. But, in addition to the phase of concentration, we need time to process the information received and integrate it into the existing system of knowledge. To do this, the brain goes into a dispersed mode.

Relying solely on focus mode for learning and not allowing yourself to switch will quickly lead to burnout.

Diffusion makes us feel guilty

To put the brain in dispersal mode, they usually suggest doing sports, walking, painting, taking a bath, listening to music, meditating, or sleeping. But all these activities do not fit into the work schedule: it is assumed that you are walking, playing sports and lying in the bath after work, and sleeping at night. That is, you do all these things outside of working hours, because you are not paid for them.

We adopt this mindset and begin to associate the value of pay with the value of completing tasks from a to-do list.

If something comes up that is not on the list and for which we are not paid, we believe it is not valuable. And since it is not valuable, it should be done outside of working hours or not at all.

We feel guilty when we do relaxing activities at work that do not seem to be useful for learning. It seems to us that at such moments we are not doing what we are paid for.

Get rid of this feeling

Be kind to yourself. To cope with the guilt that interferes with learning and reaching new heights, you need to treat yourself as the dearest person in the world.

The next time you take a second to look away from suggestions for improving the company's infrastructure and notice that the sun is peeking out, go outside. Look around, walk a little. Let your brain go into a dispersed mode and process whatever you just focused on. Then praise yourself for that.