Any type of growth is a risk. It comes with change—of habits, relationships, perception, experience, etc. Because learning is always a form of growth, it’s risky. Most people don’t have an aversion to learning, but we do have a reticence to the inevitable changes that come as a consequence of learning.
So, learning needs two things to be healthy. First, a sense of safety. To learn is to feel safe enough to expand, grow, become different, and change. In an environment that’s threatening, learning is severely restricted. Second, stable relationships. Real learning is always applied, which assumes a connectedness of support that makes room for diverse ways of taking new information or knowledge and “trying it out”.
Growth and learning are risky. Without a sense of safety and a support network, they are inhibited.
Find your people.
Insist on a culture of support and safety.
The learning and growth and expansion will come naturally.
That reminds me: I’ve taken some growth risks lately, and I’ve received so much support. Check out my new website: ryanfasani.com. Also, if you’re not signed up to get advance notice of my larger writing risks (i.e. books) you can sign up for my newsletter there. I shared a "sneak peak” of my next book cover a couple weeks ago. Let me know if you’d like to see it.
