The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn. - Gloria Steinem
Hope those of you who are reading this know where I am going with this.
While i was young, i was taught that there were 9 planets in the Solar System, it wasn't a big deal, it was just another useless fact thrown at us in school. We thought I knew the names of the 9 planets, but what didn't know was how something that didn't mean much to me would trigger so much emotion a whole decade later.
Yup, okay, a handful of scholars in the astronomy field voted for the change to being only 8 Planets in the Solar System, not 9 anymore, leaving poor Pluto out of the "loop". It didn't change the way I was living my life, but this whole idea unexpectedly triggered a sense of rebellion. Even though it is official that there's only 8 now, in my mind, there were still 9 Planets.
This was still yet another useless fact thrown at us, but what was different was that it was a change of what was deeply entrenched in my beliefs long long ago. After 20 years if studying, I thought learning new things was hard, but what was harder is actually unlearning. To be all of a sudden told that what I have believed in for so many years was actually wrong, it was hard to accept. Old habits die hard, but old beliefs die even harder. Come on, it's just a frigid planet, big deal, not like your car is on fire, but ya it still hurts.
To become successful in what you are doing, no matter in school, at work, or social life, the most successful people are the ones who are the most flexible, because this is what makes them resilient. They are not only the survivors, but they are also the game changers. If you can't keep up with the game, you are left behind, left to rot and die.
It is not about how much you can learn, it's how much you are able to unlearn.
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