We are all raised with a false belief about how learning truly works. From school to university, we’re taught that learning happens by studying books, understandingmaterials, and discussing ideas. While this approach can expand our intellect, it often overlooks the essence of real learning.
Real learning requires action, and that’s true for both mind-based skills and physical abilities. A certain magic unfolds when you actually go out and do something. You get feedback from the real world, you iterate, and with enough practice, it becomes inevitable that you’ll learn. Our brains are wired for this.
Consider learning to ride a bike. You can’t master it by reading a book alone; you have to hop on the bike and attempt to ride. The same applies to starting a business: talking or reading about it isn’t enough. Real learning only starts when you take action. There’s no substitute for action.
A powerful virtue to cultivate, then, is the habit of leading with action—real action. Preparing to act is not acting. Through creation, execution, and even failure, you gather the evidence your mind needs to learn, often unconsciously, and you improve along the way. Ultimately, it all starts with taking real action.