“In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future.”
-Eric Hoffer, Philosopher and Author
Do you ever get caught up in learning for learning’s sake? Perhaps you’ve gone down a few rabbit holes while reading about an obscure topic. Maybe you’ve had fourteen tabs open about the history behind a certain holiday meal. While curiosity is the strength that motivates people to seek new information, love of learning refers to a person’s desire to deepen that information. This strength represents the contemplative person who loves expanding their knowledge for the fun of it. People with this strength are motivated to persist in gaining new information and skills despite setbacks or negative feedback.
In a 2012 study, love of learning was one of five strengths found to be highly correlated to performance on creative tasks and inversely correlated to stress. The desire to learn is often half the battle in tackling a new project or skill set. In Michelle McQuaid’s book, Can You Put Your Strengths To Work, love of learning is described as your willingness to acquire knowledge or skills, the joy you experience while doing it, and the confidence you feel in your ability to reach particular learning outcomes.
STRENGTH INSPIRATION
Need some inspiration? Check out these stories of love of learning!
- Dhana Lal and Jhumi Bai, an indigenous Indian couple, overcame adversity to finish their schooling and started a primary school for Grades 1-5 together amidst tragedy.
- Share Ami is an initiative that connects university students who need to practice their language skills with elderly seniors in France who need companionship.
DID YOU KNOW…
“Love of Learning, or the passion to learn and hold on to information, has been associated with healthy, productive aging?”-VIA Institute on Character
PUT IT IN PRACTICE
- Research an Interesting Subject. Do a deep-dive into a skill you have and want to know more about to improve. Anything from negotiation to social media to financial management are skills you can strengthen. When you learn an interesting fact or read an engaging article, share it with us on our social media channels.
- Take The Science of Wellbeing Course. Yale is offering its most popular course online for free. Engage in a series of challenges and learn how to build more productive habits.
