Learning and Unlearning

Lifelong learning is about challenge and reward. No standing still!

It is a commonplace thought that as you further your personal development in any given field – whether academically, professionally, or otherwise – you hone your skills and ultimately have less to learn. I would argue otherwise. This way of thinking is a little too old-school for my liking. It can stagnate our personal growth and even our collective progress. 

Lifelong learning is seen as a pillar of well-being. And so, why not keep the mind open to new ways of thinking?! As an editor with years of experience, every day is still a learning day. Having reached the age where I could sit down on my sofa, put my feet up and watch the world drift by; I decided instead to upgrade my skills and delve into new learning motivated by the desire to be the best at what I do.  

I have not set off in a new direction exactly. Rather, I have become a member of the CIEP and completed a course on copy editing. This is something I am familiar with and have had lots of practice already. I guess you could so that the journey I embarked on is one of unlearning and learning.  

Having dipped my toe in the water, I now know there is so much I already knew. The bits I have found challenging are the style guides and the perspective that the author’s voice is as important as having grammar corrected. The latter is more difficult to unlearn than you might think. I have always edited to the ‘nth’ degree – dotting the “I”s and crossing the “T”s.  

The exercises I have done so far on the course have been fun to do. I now read everything hawk-like, with a renewed pair of eyes. The book I am currently reading is getting the same treatment as the practice exercises on the course. Why did the writer say that in that way? I ask myself. 

The other question is - is it better to learn something afresh or to relearn a skill? I am not sure I have the answer. What I do know is that any learning keeps your mind attentive and must in the long run make you a better person. The feeling of vulnerability and challenge is refreshing. In what I do, I can only become a better proofreader and editor.