Learn something like you will be required to teach it someday.
That advice was given to me when I was in college and selling knives to pay my way through it. We had sales conferences and some speaker, I cannot remember their name, gave this principle to me and I try to use it every day. This blog is a reflection of this mindset.
When you read a book/article, hear a speaker, or get mentored, try to learn with the intensity that you might be called on to help someone else learn the same thing. You take on an additional responsibility if you know you are not learning just for your own sake. Not everything taught to you will be perfect or relevant but you will begin to look for the gold nuggets to pass on to others.
My 2009 Hansei: Scarcity inspires creativity and innovation. How can I help harness that inspiration?
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Improve With Me 
When I need to learn something, I have realized that I can do a better job if I am able to discuss what I have learnt with someone else. Many a time I have adapted the learning with my perspective only and getting a different perspective brings greater clarity. This process fills in the gap between learning alone and being able to teach later on.