Connecting what you already knew to what’s new

Learning is a cascade.

Picture a waterfall where each level builds upon the previous, creating a continuous flow. It’s an interconnected progression.

But with learning, instead of water, what’s flowing in is knowledge and expertise. A process or set of events unfolds sequentially, and each skill acquired becomes the foundation for acquiring the next one.

What if you connected what you already knew to what’s new? That would contribute to a sense of familiarity in the learning process. What if you viewed your learning journey as yet another natural extension of your existing capabilities? That would give you more courage than you’d otherwise have.

I have done this many times in my career as a marketer. I’ve landed jobs in unexpected industries like public health, air passenger rights, direct to consumer ecommerce, franchise development, compensation technology and manufacturing training.

I knew nothing about any of those verticals. But the story that I told myself, the framing that kept doubt from kicking down my door, was that it was yet another cascade. I would use my prior experiences to create a seamless progression in my growth.

Remember, you’re never starting from scratch. It’s only an uphill battle if you frame it that way.

It’s no accident that the words knew, and new, are so intimately intertwined.

What if you viewed your learning journey as yet another natural extension of your existing capabilities?