Back in 12th grade, I discovered something very interesting. Let me tell you about it.
At that time, I'd been teaching English for about a year.
That year, after the university entrance exams, I'd go take tests in the morning, teach English in the afternoon, then the next morning take tests again, evening teach again. It was intense. At one point, I felt extremely tired, drained, I didn't understand why I was so exhausted.
An Interesting Discovery
Then I accidentally learned something new—I don't remember exactly what, I think it was Math. I met a Math teacher who was quite good, studied Math in the morning, taught English in the evening. Suddenly I felt energized again. Not because Math had anything to do with English, but because my brain had something to "feed on."
That's when I realized: learning something—anything—helps me feel alive again.
Applying This to Working Adults
And this holds true for working adults too.
A friend of mine works at a company. Her work mainly involves giving—using experience and knowledge to support others. But if you only give without any input, you'll eventually be depleted.
Many people say: "Knowledge you give away never decreases." True, but if nothing is replenished, you'll still become empty.
A Simple Solution
The solution is: learn something new. It doesn't need to relate to your work, just give your brain something to process.
- You work in banking? Learn guitar.
- You work in accounting? Learn flower arranging.
- You work in IT? Learn cooking.
Not related at all, but it keeps your mind healthy.
My Habit
I apply this method too. Every morning I learn something. Every week I dedicate time to learning—could be Python coding, could be marketing, could be advertising.
Not to make money from it.
Not for it to directly supplement my work.
But to keep myself from becoming rigid.
Unexpected Results
But then there will come a time when it gets used.
Skills I learned just for fun, thinking they were useless, but then one day they come back to help me in unexpected ways.