living richly recommendation no. 3: never stop learning {sponsored}

One day last spring I wrote a Facebook post something to the effect of: “There’s this mom in the parent waiting area at the Tae Kwon Do studio sharing information with other parents about everything from family friendly neighborhoods to kid-friendly hair salons to what blogs to read for information on easy dinner ideas. She’s so annoying.”  Of course, I was talking about me.

I’m THAT chick.

The definition of a sponge. Constantly reading things, talking to an assortment of people, watching random documentaries and trying out different experiences – all with the subconscious goal of learning more.  I like to think that the diversity of knowledge makes me a more interesting, successful person (or at least damn near impossible to beat at Jeopardy!).  We’ve all heard the saying: “Knowledge Is Power” and I couldn’t agree more. Here’s a look at some of the ways that that concept plays out in my life:

Knowledge Is Power…In Your Work

This one’s a no-brainer. We study while in school; some of us do continuing education if we’re in a profession that requires it – I took several CLE courses while I was still practicing law; professionals attend conferences and workshops to stay up on the developments in their industries (hello Blogalicious!); we all read certain books and articles that we hope will help us gain an edge in our careers – all aimed at gathering that knowledge to make us better at what we do.  Just this afternoon, I sent out an email to the Blogalicious community entitled: Work Smarter, Not Harder.  The idea behind it was to encourage those interested to register for a webinar we are hosting on how to pitch and secure sponsorships successfully. I’m a true believer that re-inventing the wheel is a waste of time and valuable energy! Why not cozy up to someone who has the knowledge you need and soak it up for your advantage.  Whenever I have the opportunity to learn from someone who knows what I need to know or who is where I want to be, I don’t hesitate to jump on it. On a daily basis, I get my fill from Fast Company and smart blogs like Marie Forleo‘s.  The professional knowledge you need is at your fingertips.

Knowledge Is Power…In Your Relationships

Three kids later, I’ve read all kinds of parenting books. I’ll admit that my stack of books about early childhood is collecting a bit of dust as I start to subscribe more and more to the: “eh, what doesn’t kill ’em will make ’em stronger philosophy’ as many parents of multiple kids often do – but I definitely read my fair share of expert advice when I was a new mom looking for answers.  Now that I officially have a tween (Lord help me), there’s a whole new set of knowledge that I’m seeking. Last week, I gifted my girls with The Care And Keeping of You, because, well, it’s TIME, and it came highly recommended from mom friends who know the deal.  We’ve been reading it together and not only is that helpful for my young ladies, it’s helping me to remember what it was like to be 10 and for every.single.thing. to be worthy of major dramatics. (re)Learning that together, is strengthening our Mother-Daughter relationship. I also have The Drama Years on my nightstand, taunting me and both giving me comfort at the same time.  And since Valentine’s Day is around the corner, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention romantic relationships! Knowing your partner’s Love Language, is so powerful for your intimate relationship because it can mean the difference between struggling with communication and feelings of value and being totally in sync.

Knowledge Is Power…In Your Personal Development

Just ask Oprah.  I wrote a blog post last year about the 3 questions Oprah asks herself everyday: Am I On Track? Am I In Balance? Am I In Flow? Checking in with herself like this lets Mama O gain knowledge about her current state and allows her to adjust accordingly.  Apparently she’s mastered this because = ROCKSTAR.  Similarly, I’m learning that I need to create space in my life in order to decrease my stress levels (which is wreaking all kinds of havoc in my life). Recognizing signs based on what I learn, hearing others tell their stories, and getting familiar with different tools and resources all contribute to my goal of bettering myself.  Because I love connecting with people in fun settings, I naturally enjoy hosting events.  In 2012, I hosted a retreat for busy mothers to give them the knowledge and resources to streamline their lives. I brought together a lineup of expert speakers, each sharing best practices, tips and tricks for the modern woman.  I’m still so proud of that event because I like to think that the knowledge the women gained from attending helped them to develop personally, with far-reaching effects.

It’s no mistake that I landed in this crazy thing called The Blogosphere. Thousands, no millions, of subject matter experts, storytellers and entertainers all sharing knowledge in interesting and engaging ways.  There’s no shortage of mediums to learn about WHATEVER topic your heart desires. It’s a beautiful thing.  Soak it up as often as you can – just try to refrain from being that annoying chick at Tae Kwon Do.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by author T. A. Barron and was inspired by his upcoming gift book “The Wisdom of Merlin: 7 Magical Words for a Meaningful Life.” This book is the wizard Merlin’s answer to the question “What is the meaning of life?” Surprisingly, the answer has only seven words — including, knowledge. But they are the most powerful words of all. The Wisdom of Merlin is available for preorder now, and will be available wherever books are sold on March 23, 2015.