Constraints of Self-Directed Learning

Wherever there is light, there are also shadows, as Mashashi Kishimoto quotes.

In this promising path of self-study, the same dichotomy also exists, the array of challenges that present before us in our undertaking towards this path of self-education comes in diverse ways, some even are perceived as harmless practices yet when they are left unaddressed they can disrupt our progress towards self-study.

So what are these constraints towards actualizing ourselves in this endeavor?

Beginning with, let us take into account someone else's perspective regarding what impedes us from pledging ourselves in committing to this path.

Taking into consideration Natassha Selvaraj's insightful article from The Medium, entitled "Why is Self-Learning So Difficult", she states that the problem with self-learning is the lack of external stimuli that reinforces you to accomplish your task at hand, such as deadlines, learning structure or curriculum, and accountability.

Self-directed learning is a personally paced learning rhythm, there are no external stimuli in which you can derive your sense of drive. With this, we have identified that our tendency to be complacent, a seemingly harmless practice can impact our pursuit of self-study.

But there's more to it than that, we are just scratching the surface. So, what are these varied forms of constraints we can encounter as we embark on the journey of self-education? Well, let us unravel what lurks in the path of self-education.

1. Lack of Vision

The lack of vision is undoubtedly the cornerstone of impeding an individual from actualizing themselves into committing to the path of self-education. To be devoid of vision is to be without direction. In this solitary path of self-directed education, not having a vision is akin to being blind, which further complicates your journey in this path riddled with uncertainty.

Since the path of self-directed learning is absent of any external stimuli, it is then imperative to conjure up a vision of what you aim to become. It is that projection of your ideal self that will usher you in this path of uncertainty.

By projecting an idealization of yourself, you are setting an expectation and from that you can draw enthusiasm, and inspiration, fueling you on your pursuits in self-directed learning. Also, you are having this clear definition of what you want to become which guides your actions into the actualization of your ideal self.

2. Rushing Things Out

At this point, now that we've conjured up a vision, and projected an idealization of what we want to become, always remember that this path of self-directed learning is a path filled with mists of uncertainty. Having a vision doesn't mean that we should rush things in actualizing our goals, to do would be to run straight into a direction that leads to pitfalls.

Caution and Patience are of utmost importance in navigating this less-trodden path.

When we rush things, it is akin to an object subjected to friction, it undergoes wear and tear. The same thing also happens with us, when we choose to be directed by our impatient tendencies, we will be worn out of ardor, and zeal, and with that won't be able to endure.

To counter our rash tendencies, we must set realistic expectations in our endeavor toward self-directed learning. When conjuring up our vision we must be true to ourselves, meaning that in our current state of being, the values, and practices we are exhibiting must resonate with our idealized version of self. Our values must be aligned with what we are aiming to become.

In my case, I am aiming to become a full-stack web developer and writer. By building this blog, I can hone both my programming and writing prowess. Also, in the process of me trying to bring this vision to fruition, I evaluated myself, and my abilities.

From that evaluation, I already possess the knowledge in programming which I got from my autodidactic pursuits during the pandemic, plus I cultivated this habit of journaling when I was 14 years old which imbues me with an introspective awareness of myself, which also affords me clarity of thought.

The challenge I encountered when I was learning programming was the overwhelming amount of information available on the web. I almost fell into the trap of watching from tutorial to tutorial. Then, I decided to take one step at a time. I tempered my eagerness with patience, and from that I was able to see things from a clear point of view. When you don't rush things, you are much keener to pick up on insights that come along your journey, and these insights give much more definition to your vision, which makes it more tangible and draws your reach closer to your goals by setting up realistic expectations.

3. Unappreciative of Your Achievements

At this point, we are setting realistic expectations, and are now making progress. But, in all that we've done so far, there's this looming feeling of inadequacy and dissatisfaction. These factors if left unaddressed can rob you of your passion, and zeal.

Being unappreciative of your progress can leave you feeling unfulfilled in your pursuits and thus dishearten you in pursuing this path of self-education.

In this path, we must come to terms with the fact that there's no one we can lean on but ourselves, we are our certainty.

Appreciating your progress no matter how insignificant it may appear, you are building self-assurance and by doing this we are mustering our confidence and by doing so grant us the courage to take on strides of challenges that we will encounter in this path.

Also, in appreciating what you've learned you're creating this impression, you're establishing this link between your emotion and the information you've unearthed which further solidifies your understanding of the knowledge you've attained.

Any event that is associated with our emotions leaves a lasting impression on us, and by appreciating our progress, we are associating our journey with the pleasure and delight of learning.

When I was learning programming, I am well aware that my accomplishments pale in comparison to its real applications. Nonetheless, I condensed my attention into myself, and focus on what I can accomplish in my attempts of learning this discipline. By appreciating the small things I've accomplished, I was building my confidence, and as I feel confident in solving the small problems, I set myself out to try something more daring than the previous one. Don't hesitate to take smaller steps. And, temper your eagerness with patience.

4. Feeling of Adequacy. Plateauing.

Now that we've learned to appreciate our progress, and develop this sense of confidence in ourselves, by this point, we've accomplished some daring tasks and can't help but feel this sense of pride. Now, this phase is quite tricky, if we allow our feeling of adequacy to permeate our entirety, then we are in for some serious trouble.

It's important to establish a boundary between a healthy awareness of one's self where you acknowledge your limitations, and this delusional sense of self where you impair yourself of the ability to recognize what you lack and focused only on what you can do, and not on what you can't do.

To stride further on this path of self-education, it is imperative to acknowledge both the things you can do, and things you can't do.

Having this awareness of what you can do allows you to accomplish things that are within your reach, and also by taking into account the things you cannot do, it provides you with an avenue where you can employ the knowledge, and skills you've accumulated throughout your autodidactic journey and utilize those learnings to expand your areas of interest, and competence.

It is the awareness of your inadequacy that grants you the possibility of growth and development. To deny your limitations is to sever the chances of improvement, and thus results in stagnation and worse, regression.

By this, embarking on new challenges, such as applying what you've learned, and building projects, you immerse yourself in the field in which you are endeavoring, and thus by this, reap valuable knowledge, and insights that will grant more definition to your goals, spurs for further growth and development to your being.

In my journey as I was learning guitar and programming, I would project this idealized version of myself, and compare myself to that ideal concerning the progress I've made and the things I lack in becoming so. Also, I would reinforce myself with a thought that in this certain duration of time, urging myself in making progress to draw myself closer to my ideal self.

With this practice, I compensated for the absence of external stimuli, and rather utilized internal stimuli to derive a sense of motivation in bringing my vision into reality. From what was mentioned earlier, we must project an idealization of ourselves for it will usher us in our strides in this path of self-illumination.

5. The Lack of Structured Learning Path

By now, we have maintained a delicate balance between acknowledging our limitations and our capabilities. We now have configured our internal drive to take on strides of challenges. What remains now is to head to our destination, and find fulfillment in our autodidactic journey. But where to go? The path ahead is darkened by obscurity and shrouded with uncertainty.

The vast realm of self-directed learning is uncharted, devoid of any signpost, and even footprints left by those who went before us are obscured which complicates the prospect to channel our energy and focus.

In the absence of a structured framework, no clearly defined path leads to self-actualization. It then falls to us to forge our path in navigating this labyrinth of uncertainty.

But in all these disheartening implications towards the path of self-directed learning, it is this very notion in which we can channel our creativity and intellectual disposition. In this path of self-directed learning, you are not bound by the limits of a structured learning path, you have the right to indulge in creative exploration and innovative thoughts in this path of autonomy. And it is on this path that you can cultivate your uniqueness and be whatever you desire to be. This is the path of self-directed learning that is ripe with potential for ours to take.

My experience in compensating for the absence of a structured learning path is that I initially identified those four prior constraints. By dealing inwardly, I strengthened my resolve and conditioned my mind frame to overcome arduous endeavors. As Zeno of Citium the founder of Stoicism quotes, "Man conquers the world by conquering himself". Also, Aristotle said something similar about the significance of dealing with one's inward self, "I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self". By mastering ourselves we allow thoughts, and our willpower to flow without resistance, and thus grant us the ability to influence the world around us to an extent.

Also, after I conditioned myself, I developed a routine. According to Jordan Peterson, routine is not a prison, it's a means to achieve the day you want. So, by setting out a routine, you are seizing the day, also as you align yourself and your actions on that routine you are rendering the day according to your desired outcome. Also by setting out a routine you are maximizing your productivity, and thus by staying consistent you increase your likelihood of finding success in this self-directed path.

The key to being free from the constraints of self-education is to remain consistent, and unwavering in your commitment to the pursuit of knowledge on this less-trodden path.