Lifelong Learner

For a long time I was concerned about the fact that I jump around from one passion to the next. I never seem to be able to settle on one thing. Or that once I reach an advanced level or a certain amount of mastery, I get bored. I know I don't have ADD (too many people throw that term around). But here's a quick look at the seemingly random passions and pursuits I've had over the years.

• 2003 Graduated with a degree in aerospace engineering and started working as a mechanical engineer
• 2006-2007 Deep dive into the area of personal finance. I started a blog called the Savvy Steward
• 2008-2010 Quit my engineering job and pursued a Masters in Applied Linguistics
• 2010 Became an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher
• 2011 Deep dive into videography and started doing wedding videography on the side vimeo.com/mtokudome
• 2013 Moved to China and learned Mandarin to an advanced level
• 2017-2018 Became interested in self-publishing and wrote a book about language learning

So at first glance, these all seem to be disparate things.

But while writing my book, I took a self-assessment and found out that my top strength is "learner" (according to CliftonStrengths)

According to the assessment, for a learner, "The process, more than the content or the result, is especially exciting for you. You are energized by the steady and deliberate journey from ignorance to competence. The thrill of the first few facts, the early efforts to recite or practice what you have learned, the growing confidence of a skill mastered -- this is the process that entices you.

Your excitement leads you to engage in adult learning experiences -- yoga or piano lessons or graduate classes. It enables you to thrive in dynamic work environments where you are asked to take on short project assignments and are expected to learn a lot about the new subject matter in a short period of time and then move on to the next one.

This Learner theme does not necessarily mean that you seek to become the subject matter expert, or that you are striving for the respect that accompanies a professional or academic credential. The outcome of the learning is less significant than the 'getting there'."

So the common thread through all the different things I have pursued in the past is simply the fact that I love to learn new things. I love to find something that piques my interest, begin as an amateur, and slowly learn how to master it (or at least reach a proficient level).

I'm not quite sure what I'll dive into next, but I'm slowly getting interested in the intersection of faith and the future...