Never Stop Learning

(Published in Banking Services Chronicle December 2004)

When it comes to learning, one won’t hesitate in learning from the best. And there is little doubt that Bill Gates suits that category admirably. So if he says something, it must be worth taking note of. Says he: “Your most unhappy customers are the best source of learning.”

Which brings us to the conclusion that we should learn even from the ordinary. This seems a bit difficult to digest. The problem is we are increasingly becoming a nation of shoppers. If you need something, just visit the neighbouring mall—that’s what we have in mind. That may be true to a large extent for products. But when it comes to ideas, we must bear in mind what Gates says.

The “unhappy customers” of Gates may be generally taken as critics. Most of us are averse to listening to criticism and try to shun our critics’ society. But we must not forget that Kabir is relevant in all ages. One of his couplets goes like this:
“Keep your critic close in your courtyard’s shelter;
Without soap or water he cleanses your character.”
In other words, pay heed to what the critics say. That is the best way of improving yourself.

If you listen to criticism, you will find there are certain shortcomings that affect most of us invariably. In fact, even an unbiased introspection may lead us to identify the factors that we require in order to achieve success.

Most important among these is discipline. It is etymologically evident that discipline is essential for a disciple. This is what made the Greek civilisation so hugely successful. Moderation, which was their ideal, is nothing but discipline. It is discipline which keeps us from straying towards the extremes and helps us achieve the “golden mean”.

But many a disciplined person has not been successful. Having discipline is like being equipped with a good vehicle. But no matter how good your vehicle is and how good a driver you are, you will reach nowhere unless you know your destination. Similarly, you must know what to exercise your discipline for.

In other words, you need to set your goal. Once you have set your goal, you must be determined to achieve it with a bulldog tenacity. You should move aggressively towards your goal. And it is here that the role of practice becomes important. Mere theory won’t do. You have to apply yourself to whatever you decide to do.

It is practice that made Thomas Alva Edison one of the greatest inventors. And it is practice that made Pablo Picasso one of the greatest painters. Whether in a laboratory or in a studio, the number of hours that you put in does matter. Often you may have heard: “This child is brilliant but he does not study.” Well that is a big BUT—the BUT that makes all the difference.

The mot important element of this practice is regularity. This is what is also termed as commitment. If you are committed to a cause, you accord it top priority. All your energy is focussed on this cause; all your efforts converge here. And this happens because you believe in what you do. This happens when you are doing something not because others think it right for you, but because you think it right for yourself.

Another element that distinguishes the great from the ordinary is the ability to learn from failures. There is nothing disgraceful in making mistakes. But if you don’t learn from them, it is sheer shame. It betrays a negative, regressive attitude.
Losing a game is not losing the series. There is always hope in the next game. So have sportsman spirit, take the loss in your stride and come to the next game with renewed vigour.

The march to greatness ends the day we stop learning.