Learning often happens in moments of discomfort. It occurs in moments when we try to recall a faraway thought from memory to make a new connection. It’s also when we look inside at a part of ourselves, which we may have denied for too long.  Or it can also be when we take action in ways that stretch us beyond what we think possible, like sharing a piece of our writing publicly, doing a podcast, or public speaking.

In the context of a recently launched workshop where I work, a great conversation highlighted how we see ourselves is often quite different from how others see us.

When we see people as remarkable, does that guarantee that they see themselves the same?

Our outside-in perspective and experience of others are likely to be different from their inside-out perspective and experiences of themselves.

One participant pointed out that it might be one of the main reasons feedback is so powerful.

Social learning is so powerful and one of the most effective ways of learning. Being in a community that helps us feel safe to experience discomfort while also offering feedback to help us discover part of ourselves we cannot see is one of the best ways to challenge ourselves, learn and grow.

It’s likely why so much learning happens in online cohorts these days. With the Internet’s far reach, we can participate in communities across the globe, share different experiences, backgrounds, and cultures, and challenge each other to become better.

What key insights have you had while stretching yourself inside a supportive community?

Leave a comment

While we’re not all social to the same degree and our social needs vary, being social is key to our learning, growth and survival.

When we’re learning, we’re growing. And when we’re not feeling challenged doing so, we might not be doing it right.

Miguel,
Sparknotion – Think Differently.

Further reading

Sunday Spark

Discomfort leads to strength

I recently read a post from Seth Godin and appreciated the paragraph he wrote below. It speaks to the nature of how things are a by-product of the culture and environment that surrounds us and can change with time. I'm not sure there's an intrinsic reason that watching a particular movie is more satisfying than solving an endemic problem. We've simply ev…

Read more

2 years ago · 4 likes · Miguel Lavigne

Sunday Spark

Don't shoot the messenger

Feedback is uncomfortable; it aims to highlight parts of ourselves that we may fail to recognize. When we let our emotions dictate how we react to feedback, we close off any opportunities to learn, reflect, process and change our understanding of ourselves and how we show up…

Read more

a year ago · 3 likes · Miguel Lavigne

Sunday Spark

We are more powerful together

In every relationship, there are three parties. There is me, there is you, and there is also us. There’s a time and a place to focus on each. When it comes to health, the me has to come first; it has to be a priority. Without taking care of ourselves first, we won’t have what’s necessary to help the…

Read more

a year ago · 4 likes · 2 comments · Miguel Lavigne