
What is Non-Linear Learning: The More Natural Way To Learn?
To truly understand non-linear learning we first have to talk a little bit about linear learning.
For the most part we are all familiar with linear learning. It is the kind of learning we have done in school, where you study something, you learn it, and then you apply it. And this is a very effective way to learn a lot of things. For example, medicine. If I was looking for a doctor, or a surgeon, I would definitely want someone who has studied, learned , and then applied their education. I would certainly NOT be looking for a surgeon who was looking to have a breakthrough (at least not during my surgery!)
So, there are many areas of life where linear learning works well and is the preferred method of learning. However, it is not the most effective way to learn everything. For instance, how do I stay in passionate love with my spouse after 20 years; or how come, no matter what company I work for or which manager I work with I still find myself at the same plateau, or the same income level; Or maybe it is about your health — you start out well intended, but something happens and you cannot quite see what it is, you lose weight and then put it back on; Or maybe it about your relationships, you are dating and no matter how many different people you go out with you find yourself in the same basic situation.
If any of that sounds familiar, then you have also probably tried some linear learning to attempt to change it. You have read books, followed all the right rules, or tried to dominate yourself into submission. Yet, you still cannot really get out of the rut you are in.
Areas of Life Where Non-Linear Learning Is More Effective
These are areas of life where non-linear learning would be more effective. These are areas of life where you cannot really see what is shaping the results you are getting. You know there is something there, but you cannot quite see it. It is like trying to see the back of your own eyes, we all have blind spots in some areas of our life.
What Is Non-Linear Learning?
So what is non-linear learning? Non-linear learning is when an all of a sudden phenomenon occurs. Some would call it an aha moment, or a light bulb goes off…a sudden shift in perspective that allows you to take new actions and opens up new points of view for you.
We have all learned this way, learning to walk, learning to talk, learning to play an instrument, or learning to type, learning to swim. These are all learning in a non-linear way. The best example I have found is learning to ride a bike, mostly because for the most part we are all old enough to remember it.
When you learn to ride a bike, you get on the bike and you pedal and then you fall. You do it again, pedal and fall, pedal and fall, pedal and fall. And then at some point, you pedal and pedal and then you pedal and pedal and pedal and you are riding the bike! Right there, there is a moment when you go from trying to ride a bike to being a bike rider! It is just a moment when everything shifts.
There Are a Few Important Things to Note About Non-Linear Learning.
First, it never goes away. Once you learn something in a non linear way it is yours forever… literally. You might not ride a bike for 25 years, but if you got it out of the garage and dusted it off, you would be able to ride it. And you know that! Same with learning to swim. Once you know how to swim, you might not swim for years, but you don’t wonder if you still can… you absolutely know you know how to swim.
#2. No one can explain it to you. You could read books by Lance Armstrong about riding a bike, but it would not get you any closer to being a bike rider. Non- linear learning is something you have to do for yourself.
#3. It is natural. We have all done it and it is not even hard.
However, for the most part we don’t know how to focus that kind of learning on areas of life that are important to us.
Why Masterminds Don’t Work
Masterminds can be great for general support, and can put a structure together that has some accountability. What they don’t tend to provide is anything beyond what you can already see. Having a group of people who recognize when you are bullshitting yourself or doing more of the same, instead of causing a breakthrough you need and want. A mastermind is a tool for rapid growth, but will not necessarily provide that breakthrough from a plateau, or have you become the leader you envision yourself to be — a coach with deep roots in non-linear education is essential to that kind of growth.
For more reading on Causing Breakthroughs read: Dealing With Frustration and Despair
I started my first Creative Business when I was a single mom with four tiny children. That was 25 years ago and I started Business 101 for Creative Entrepreneurs to give back. I am so grateful for all the support did get while I was getting started, but more than anything I wished I had some business support, some mentoring or guidance. I want you to know that I get how hard, confusing, and challenging it can be to be alone and have real questions with no one to ask.
Please accept this FREE 30 Minute Creative Business Consult as my way of saying “You Can Do It!”
What you can use the call for:
- Ask anything you need to know!
- Get important, reliable resources for whatever you need
- You can design a Next Actions plan for building the life of your dreams!
- Create Learning Plan so you can begin powerfully
- Feel supported
I have incessantly thought about this, thanks for posting.
I am glad it was helpful!
I reckon something truly special in this website.
Fantastic blog. Really Cool.
Really enjoyed this blog post, can I set it up so I receive an update sent in an email when you publish a fresh post?
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your sites
really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back
later on.
All the best
This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want?HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
you have a great blog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?
Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this blog. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very hard to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appeal. I must say you have done a fantastic job with this. In addition, the blog loads very quick for me on Safari. Superb Blog!
Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all people you actually know what you’re talking about! Bookmarked. Kindly additionally talk over with my site =). We could have a hyperlink exchange contract among us!
hi!,I love your writing so much! proportion we be in contact extra
about your article on AOL? I need a specialist on this
house to unravel my problem. Maybe that is you!
Taking a look ahead to see you.
Nice read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing some research on that. And he just bought me lunch as I found it for him smile Therefore let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!
I would like to voice my affection for your generosity supporting people that actually need assistance with your field. Your very own dedication to getting the message all over appears to be really informative and has constantly enabled women like me to arrive at their desired goals. Your new warm and helpful help and advice signifies a great deal a person like me and even more to my office colleagues. Regards; from each one of us.
whoah this blog is excellent i like reading your posts. Keep up the good work! You know, many people are looking round for this info, you could aid them greatly.
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the images on this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.
An attention-grabbing discussion is price comment. I believe that you need to write extra on this matter, it may not be a taboo subject but generally individuals are not enough to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers
I get pleasure from, cause I found exactly what I used to be having a look for. You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or advice. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things about it!
You must participate in a contest for probably the greatest blogs on the web. I will recommend this website!
Just wish to say your article is as amazing. The clarity for your submit is just nice and that i could assume you are a professional on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to snatch your RSS feed to keep up to date with drawing close post. Thank you 1,000,000 and please carry on the enjoyable work.
It’s actually a great and helpful piece of info. I’m glad that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
wonderful and also incredible blog. I really intend to thank you, for offering us far
better info.