Learn, Unlearn, Relearn: The Essential Skill of the 21st Century

 Learn, Unlearn, Relearn: The Essential Skill of the 21st Century

Alvin Toffler once said:

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”

These words have only grown more powerful with time. As evolving beings, we change and adapt to the world around us—and at the heart of that evolution lies learning.

Learning: The Daily Fuel for the Mind

Learning is rarely easy. Whether in childhood or adulthood, it demands effort, time, and discipline. In the past, those who had access to information were considered knowledgeable and valuable. But today, information is everywhere—and much of it is free. The only price we pay is our attention.

If food fuels the body, learning fuels the mind. And just as we eat every day, we should learn every day. Ask yourself: What did I learn yesterday? If the answer leaves you feeling empty, pull out your phone and learn one small thing that adds value to your life.

Unlearning: The Hardest Step

As difficult as learning can be, unlearning is even harder. Learning requires attention—but unlearning demands that we step out of our comfort zones.

Think of someone who mastered a technology now long buried. They may still look back fondly at its “glorious days” and resist what’s new. But clinging to the past only holds us back. Unlearning isn’t about forgetting—it’s about making space for growth. It gives us a necessary push into unfamiliar territory. So, ask yourself: What belief or habit do I need to unlearn today?

Relearning: Returning to Our Roots

Relearning is neither as hard as learning nor as uncomfortable as unlearning—but it is just as essential. It strengthens our foundation and reconnects us with our roots.

We saw this clearly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when traditional medicines and cultural practices found renewed relevance. We began relearning what we had once set aside. Ask yourself: What should I relearn today so that I can stand stronger tomorrow?

Surviving the Shock of Change

Toffler’s quote comes from his book Future Shock, and how right he was. We have absorbed shock after shock: the fall of Lehman Brothers, wars, a global pandemic, and now conflicts in the Middle East. Through every upheaval, one truth remains: to stay relevant—and to be better human beings—we must become lifelong learners, courageous unlearners, and willing relearners.

M.L.Narendra Kumar