They say one of the best ways to stay young is to never stop learning. I’ve always embraced that philosophy with wonder and joy at learning new things. Sometimes the goal is learning as a means to an end, like learning how to program a CNC. Other times it’s learning just for the sake of exploring a new world.

That kind of learning has taken me down all sorts of paths to learn all sorts of skills. I’ve often told people that I have the “making disease” — anything I get involved with I have to learn to make something related to it. Some of that making has just been fun, but a lot of it led to business ventures. I first learned business skills when I started a small bicycle repair service on a college campus. Then I picked up metalworking skills and launched another business that went nationwide building custom bicycle frames. Those two businesses paid for my college education.

I’ve been involved in reporting, writing, and editing since high school. Journalism is all about learning and curiosity. You also have to do a lot of questioning and digging to discover what really matters. After years of covering crime, courts, entertainment, business, and politics, and even helping to put one politician in jail, I learned my true calling was helping people who make things succeed in business.

But when it comes to learning, I just can’t help myself. In woodworking, I started by making toys for myself as a child. I’ve learned to build furniture, musical instruments, cabinets, archery bows, gunstocks, turning work, CNC machining, timber framing, and carpentry. In metalworking, I do blacksmithing, casting, gunsmithing, welding, and precision machining. I’ve even made golf clubs.
Probably, the toughest job interview question I was ever asked was from Paul Roman, the founder of Fine Woodworking magazine. I was applying to be the editor of his magazine. He looked at all the stuff I’d done, and he asked me, “Are you an enthusiast or a dilettante?” I wanted to tell him I was a Renaissance Man, but that seemed pretentious. Instead, I said, “I’m an enthusiast with many enthusiasms.” He hired me, so I guess it was the right answer.

Whether you learn with a specific goal in mind or for the sheer joy and wonder of adding new things to your bank of knowledge and skills, I strongly believe it’s good for you. It keeps your brain functioning, your hands busy, and multiplies your opportunities not only to improve your own lot in life but also to improve the world around you.

Learn to live, live to learn, and make something of yourself by making something tangible with what you learn. Help others find their way to learning. I’ve found the best learners are also teachers, dedicated and excited to share what they have learned. 

Be an enthusiast with many enthusiasms! As Robert A. Heinlein wrote, “Specialization is for insects!”