Like riding a bike: reclaiming the joy of learning

I've recently (since New Year's Day) being reacquainting myself with the art of cycling. I sold my car, in fact, and living remotely, there has been little option but to learn by doing. Gears, bike maintenance, ice, potholes, traffic lanes, the unpredictability of drivers: all have required a great deal of effort. It's been thrilling. As I whizz along country lanes, my clothes billowing in the breeze, the sun setting over the Welsh mountains, I feel more energetic, more carefree, more empowered.

Learning something new is about more than acquiring competency. It’s about stepping into a mindset that values exploration, creativity and the thrill of the unknown. We often approach learning with an instrumental view: it exists to bolster our resumes, increase earning potential or prove our competence to others. We have forgotten what every kitten, cub and child knows: that learning is a source of joy which makes our ability to move through the world more skilfull.

In the last year I've learned to make cocktails, wait tables, pitch awnings, work silver. I've learned Jamaican dancing, how to care for dogs, darts scoring and the basics of leather working. The world is a less terrifying, and much more interesting place, when we are able to interact with it in multiple ways. I am collecting my rollerskates from my friend's garage at the weekend: time to give that hobby one last push!

Learners' mindset focuses on curiosity, experimentation and the process of growth rather than outcomes. I will never earn any money from rollerskating or dancing. But learning is not a means to an end, but an end in itself, brimming with possibilities for personal transformation.

This is exactly the mindset you will need as an entrepreneur.