On Learning Like a Hermit Crab

Summary

Learning is a lot like being hermit crab. Each shell that you move into comes with certain limitations. And as you learn and grow, you will eventually need to move out of your small, stifling shell.

Good learning discipline is an essential part of growth. This comes from two habits done in tandem: doing and learning. As you do and learn, be prepared for an upwards growth spiral as you migrate from old shells to new.

Here's what we cover

Introduction

I recently caught the writing bug (long story) and had a simple goal: writing content that helps me crystallise my growth marketing thoughts.

I had "written" before, primarily for work. But I didn't write often. So I needed to learn. I needed to learn how to write better, quickly.

Enter The Hermit Crab

The hermit crab is a great metaphor for learning that I came across in Josh Waitzkin's The Art of Learning (Amazon Link). I've taken his concept and gone a bit nuts with it 😂

See, if you're not aware, hermit crabs use abandoned sea-shells as their homes. When a crab outgrows its shell it's forced to find a new one that fits it better.

Similarly, as you grow in your learning journey you will need to find bigger shells to fit into. And, no, don't jump into a shell 3 sizes larger; it's better to work your way up a size at a time.

Finally, the dreaded part–you'll have to expose your soft, vulnerable insides to the world when you jump from your old shell to a bigger one! Who said learning was easy?

Developing Good Learning Discipline

I break down learning into two habits: doing and learning. They work best together, and otherwise fall apart.

• Doing without putting time aside to learn leads to stagnation.
• Learning without doing leaves you short on any practical skills.

Good learning discipline also involves knowing the following:

• When is it time to start learning? (vs. continuing doing)
• What learning subjects to prioritise? (because you can't learn everything)
• When to stop learning? (and go back to doing)

The Upwards Spiral of Learning

When you're learning something new you start with a small shell. Your frameworks will be rudimentary, not unlike your shell.

As you do and learn your understanding of the world evolves, and you become aware of the limitations of your "shell".

This is when you should deep-dive into learning. Work on your strengths and take them from 8→10. Or if it's your blindspots that are hindering you, work on them. Soon enough you'll be ready for a new shell.

When you move to the new shell chances are that it might feel like a step back. Things will be unfamiliar and you will take time to get used to your new surroundings. But fetter not, because once you do, you're ready to grow even higher.

This movement resembles an upwards spiral with each spiral section:

1. Starting with doing
2. Transitioning to learning, followed by
3. A period of adjustment
4. And then back to learning

As you look back on your spiral you'll notice how constrained your knowledge was early on, and how far you've come.

How I Wrote In An Upwards Spiral

So, back to my writing.

I found myself in the shell that I'd been carrying for many years. I knew that I had to start doing to move up the upwards spiral–in this case by writing.

Starting by doing was the right choice. It helped me get a better grasp of my writing ability, what I did well, and what I struggled with. Furthermore, it helped me narrow down topics to work on for when I transitioned to learning mode.

I started writing and publishing my work on the most obvious channel at this stage–LinkedIn. Quickly, I discovered areas that needed work:

• Carving up my content niche because when writing, I lacked purpose and identity.
• Nailing content ideation. Getting better at going from content ideas to great content.
• Being a more efficient editor because I found myself spending hours in "edit mode".
• Distributing and recycling content

Once the issues were becoming untenable, I switched on learning mode. I dove into a couple of courses on CXL and the content of writers and brands that I loved.

And, voila! I was in a new shell. I'd used "learning mode" to:

• Carve a content niche
• Build a framework to help me ideate, write, and edit with purpose
• A distribution plan (that also involved creating my website!)

The new shell was uncomfortable at first and it took me time to get my bearings–but that feeling passed fairly quickly.

I'm now back to doing–at least until I need a bigger shell 💪

6 Lessons On Learning From Hermit Crabs

Let's wrap this up with some pointers from the humble hermit crab:

1. Embrace small-shell life. It's what everyone starts with.
2. You're going to suck when you start. Start anyway.
3. Do, learn, grow. Remember the learning dichotomy and that growth comes from doing and learning (together).
4. Move up shells when it makes sense. That's part of the fun of the journey.
5. Be vulnerable. As you move onto the next shell, you're going to be vulnerable for a few precious moments. Embrace the pain that comes with it and the joy of the journey ahead.
6. Starting with a big shell is over-rated. Shortcuts don't work well here. As a small crab, you don't want to lug around a large shell!

Bonus: Look back with a smile. As you move up the shell ladder, don't forget to look back and see

Thanks for reading so far 🦀

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