zenmonkey wrote:alaart wrote:zenmonkey wrote:So how would you fill out the sentence: I'm a language-learner and a ____________?
Better to be a language learner than a sandwich turner.
While identification might drive you to certain activities, it also can limit you to try new things with which you don't identify with. So I like to be flexible and don't want to fill anything in.
I like sandwiches. We are talking about habits here in the last posts and how one activity can negatively impact others. But I know that the title of the topic is
interests. I'm having a hard time seeing how certain identities can influence how you might be open to other new things - unless the identity is exclusionary? "I'm vegan, thanks, I don't want to try your leatherwork class?" Is that what you are talking about?
I like this sentence you quoted:
Your self-identity drives your activity.
But it also gave me a lot to think.
Focus, on anything really, is often seen as a positive thing. But I'm not sure if one thing is negatively impacting the other. In my life I feel it's more and more beneficial to not focus and not over-identify with something. Sure, if you are in a rush and want to do something like getting outstanding results fast - or you have some sort of goal you want to reach fast - ok, stay focused. But if you have the time, what's wrong with not staying focused?
Take your example of identifying as a runner. So that means you will now probably run 3 times a week after you made that choice. But that means you are maybe less likely to go swimming now.
And maybe something you would have learned while swimming (about breathing rhythm, posture or movement fine tuning) would have actually made your running better too.
Habits are great to be productive time wise, but new ideas might come up while one is doing different things - and often when one is having a break and just thinking, which in term can improve your output long term.
I tend to jump around a vast amount of interests, much worse then what's stated in the opening post. In the past I also would feel guilty and disappointed with myself for not staying focused. But actually in retrospect, I think the things I learned while I was "distracted" might have made the language learning (and other things) better. Also if you have some distance, you have a fresh mind, new ideas for old problems etc.
That's what I was thinking.
Another thought that just occurred, this identity as a polyglot we (sometimes) have. It might have been harmful to many of us, in my case it would be even so bad that I would neglect important things in life just to feed this identity. The identity influences us, and this can also delude us and lead us astray.