7½ habits...but I'm only gonna talk about 2½ of them

In Week One of the 23 Things program, there's an introductory presentation that discusses lifelong learning. (Although it should be noted that even though the program's broken down into weeks, since I'm here years after the formal program ended, I'm taking these things at my own pace...as in days, not weeks.) Part of that discussion involves "7½ lifelong learning habits." They include:

Habit 1: Begin with the end in mind
Habit 2: Accept responsibility for your own learning
Habit 3: View problems as challenges
Habit 4: Have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner
Habit 5: Create your own learning toolbox
Habit 6: Use technology to your advantage
Habit 7: Teach/mentor others
Habit 7½: Play

One of the first assignments of the program is setting up a blog and publishing a couple of entries, one of which explains which of the habits I find easiest and which I find hardest. To me, the easiest habit would have to be Habit 7½, "Play." I mean, seriously...who doesn't say that the easiest thing to do is have fun? But I figured that was the pretty obvious answer, so I picked a backup answer. Next easiest would be Habit 6, "Using technology to your advantage." I'd consider myself a fairly tech-savvy guy. Even if I don't immediately embrace all the up-to-the-minute technologies, I at least know about them. When I do take the plunge on something, you can be that I'll be well-informed. When it comes to learning new programs, I'll take the time to teach myself how to use them, if need be. And if there's some sort of gadget or program that will make my life easier, I'm all for it. I'm sort of like electricity in that regard - I take the path of least resistance.

Which brings me to which habit I find the hardest. That would be Habit 3, "View problems as challenges." When I'm working on something and a problem comes up, I tend to think, "Great, what now?" Very glass half-empty. Guess it's like that "path of least resistance" thing. When I'm working on something, I'd like for it to go smoothly and as planned. Of course, life isn't like that. Don't misunderstand - it's not that I can't deal with problems as they come. I've learned a lot of things by being forced to handle things I wasn't expecting or using new tools or techniques to get something done. I just do tend to view problems as, well, problems. Obstacles to be overcome.

Come to think of it, that's what challenges are...obstacles to be overcome. So maybe my view's not too far off, after all. But I'm guessing the "lifelong learner" shouldn't be quite so pessimistic about it. See, I'm learning already.