--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Personal growth is not a matter of…" description: "\"Personal growth is not a matter of learning new information but of unlearning old limits.\" — Alan Cohen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0c/alan-cohen-1112_growth_personal-growth-is-not-a-matter-of-learn_744888.png" --- # Personal growth is not a matter of learning new… ![“Personal growth is not a matter of learning new information but of unlearning old limits.” quote by Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0c/alan-cohen-1112_growth_personal-growth-is-not-a-matter-of-learn_744888.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0c/alan-cohen-1112_growth_personal-growth-is-not-a-matter-of-learn_744888.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0c/alan-cohen-1112_growth_personal-growth-is-not-a-matter-of-learn_744888.png) > “Personal growth is not a matter of learning new information but of unlearning old limits.” [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True development comes from shedding outdated beliefs and self‑imposed limits, not just acquiring new facts. **In simple terms:** Unlearn old limits to grow. Key Takeaway Let go of limiting beliefs. Themes personal growth mindset learning Mood reflective motivational Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - career change - relationships - health habits - creative projects Key Concepts psychology neuroplasticity Questions to Reflect On - What limiting belief are you holding onto? - How can you identify and release outdated assumptions? A Different Perspective New information can reinforce old limits if not critically examined. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) [Information](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/information/) [Information Unlearning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/information-unlearning-5807460/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Learning new](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning-new/) [Limits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limits/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [New information](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-information/) [Personal growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personal-growth/) [Unlearning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unlearning/) [Unlearning Old](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unlearning-old-5807459/) ## Related quotes > [“Knowledge grows, and simultaneously it becomes obsolete as reality changes. Understanding involves both learning new knowledge and discarding obsolete and misleading knowledge. The discarding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bo-hedberg/knowledge-grows-and-simultaneously-it-becomes-obsolete-as-reality/) [Bo Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bo-hedberg/) > [Enlightenment is not the process of learning 'new' information. It is the process of 'reminding' ourselves that the answers are already 'within our consciousness'.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-allen/enlightenment-is-not-the-process-of-learning-new-information-it-is/) [Eric Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-allen/) > [ \[Repentance\] means unlearning all the self-conceit and self -will that we have been training ourselves into... It means killing part of yourself, under-going a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/repentance-means-unlearning-all-the-self-conceit-and-self-will-that-2/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [“The spiritual path is more of an unlearning than a learning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-goddard/the-spiritual-path-is-more-of-an-unlearning-than-a-learning/) [Donna Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-goddard/) > [“The deeper education consists in unlearning one's first education.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-valery/the-deeper-education-consists-in-unlearning-one-s-first-education/) [Paul Valéry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-valery/) > [Half of spiritual growth is learning what we don't know. The other half is unlearning what we do know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-batterson/half-of-spiritual-growth-is-learning-what-we-don-t-know-the-other/) [Mark Batterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-batterson/) > [There was a lot of unlearning to be done when I moved from TV to films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohit-raina/there-was-a-lot-of-unlearning-to-be-done-when-i-moved-from-tv-to-films/) [Mohit Raina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohit-raina/) > [The process of unlearning in order to relearn demands a new concept of knowledge not as thing but as a process, not as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-davidson/the-process-of-unlearning-in-order-to-relearn-demands-a-new-concept/) [Cathy Davidson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-davidson/) > [ “Learning, and especially unlearning, can take place only in the absence of defensiveness… \[W\]e can drop our defenses only when we love and are… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-sloane-coffin/learning-and-especially-unlearning-can-take-place-only-in-the-absence/) [William Sloane Coffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sloane-coffin/) > [Success for most people requires unlearning as much as learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orrin-woodward/success-for-most-people-requires-unlearning-as-much-as-learning/) [Orrin Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orrin-woodward/) > [“There is an age at which we teach what we know. Then comes another age at which we teach what we do not know;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-barthes/there-is-an-age-at-which-we-teach-what-we-know-then-comes-another-age/) [Roland Barthes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-barthes/) > [“In this process of unlearning, in the process of feeling and hearing the plants again, one comes to realize many things. And of these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-harrod-buhner/in-this-process-of-unlearning-in-the-process-of-feeling-and-hearing/) [Stephen Harrod Buhner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-harrod-buhner/) > [Unlearning is gaining importance as workplaces are moving towards agile, collaborative working models. While conventional education adds to our knowledge, unlearning will become the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-screwvala/unlearning-is-gaining-importance-as-workplaces-are-moving-towards/) [Ronnie Screwvala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-screwvala/) > [“I don't categorize things merely to simplify my understanding. I'd rather delve into the process of unlearning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-sharda/i-don-t-categorize-things-merely-to-simplify-my-understanding-i-d/) [Nikhil Sharda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-sharda/) > [I have spent most of my life unlearning things that were proved not to be true](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/i-have-spent-most-of-my-life-unlearning-things-that-were-proved-not/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) ## More by Alan Cohen > [When you protect yourself from pain, be sure you do not protect yourself from love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/when-you-protect-yourself-from-pain-be-sure-you-do-not-protect/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) > [Anyone in a state of seeking can never be happy. Only those who are constantly finding are fulfilled. And finding is not something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/anyone-in-a-state-of-seeking-can-never-be-happy-only-those-who-are/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) > [“You cannot be other than you are. Thank God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/you-cannot-be-other-than-you-are-thank-god/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) > [Evaluate every act by whether it brings you greater life, or deadens you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/evaluate-every-act-by-whether-it-brings-you-greater-life-or-deadens/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) > [Put aside ambition for public recognition, and simply do what you do because it feels good inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/put-aside-ambition-for-public-recognition-and-simply-do-what-you-do/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) > [“When you finally give up striving, you will be left with what you have been striving for.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/when-you-finally-give-up-striving-you-will-be-left-with-what-you-have/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) > [“newspaper ads for lost pets and earthquakes that soon follow. Other studies indicate a higher rate of last-minute cancellations for airplane flights that crash.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/newspaper-ads-for-lost-pets-and-earthquakes-that-soon-follow-other/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) > [“Quit using your creative power to formulate questions. You can just as easily—more easily— use it to formulate answers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/quit-using-your-creative-power-to-formulate-questions-you-can-just-as/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) > ['How can I be more like you?' she asked the guru. 'The best way to be more like me is to be more like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/how-can-i-be-more-like-you-she-asked-the-guru-the-best-way-to-be-more/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) > [Turmoil is a call for awakening. Every challenge, great or small, is moving you to look deeper and draw forth the highest in you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/turmoil-is-a-call-for-awakening-every-challenge-great-or-small-is/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) > [The difficulties of life do not keep you from greatness. They show you to its door.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/the-difficulties-of-life-do-not-keep-you-from-greatness-they-show-you/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) > [What a doctor or healer tells you is a reflection of the beliefs and expectations you hold. Change your beliefs and you change the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/what-a-doctor-or-healer-tells-you-is-a-reflection-of-the-beliefs-and/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) > [Quit planning your dream and start living it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/quit-planning-your-dream-and-start-living-it/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) > [The more you invest in your happiness, the more happiness will invest in you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/the-more-you-invest-in-your-happiness-the-more-happiness-will-invest/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) > [Joy is the wild card of life; it supersedes every other formula for success. If you can find a way to create joy, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/joy-is-the-wild-card-of-life-it-supersedes-every-other-formula-for/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) [Explore all 290 Alan Cohen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) ## More Growth quotes > [My coach, Robert Allen, helped me a lot. He had more influence on my growth as a player than anyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamarcus-aldridge/my-coach-robert-allen-helped-me-a-lot-he-had-more-influence-on-my/) [LaMarcus Aldridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamarcus-aldridge/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) [Phil Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hogan/) > [Advances in technology will continue to reach far into every sector of our economy. Future job and economic growth in industry, defense, transportation, agriculture,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-bond/advances-in-technology-will-continue-to-reach-far-into-every-sector/) [Christopher Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-bond/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [“I urge you: don't cut short these thought-trains of yours. Follow them through to their end. Your thoughts and your feelings. Follow them through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/i-urge-you-don-t-cut-short-these-thought-trains-of-yours-follow-them/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“Economic growth continued by means of a succession of new products which found growing and ultimately massive demand. Some of the new products were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-a-hudson/economic-growth-continued-by-means-of-a-succession-of-new-products/) [Edward A. Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-a-hudson/) > [“To engage in dialogue is to serve others via whatever is real inside you; to engage in debate is to ultimately serve the illusions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oli-anderson/to-engage-in-dialogue-is-to-serve-others-via-whatever-is-real-inside/) [Oli Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oli-anderson/) > [If you learn something that changes you, you've made progress. If you learn something that changes others, you've helped change the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lanie-lane/if-you-learn-something-that-changes-you-you-ve-made-progress-if-you/) [Lanie Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lanie-lane/) > [“SILENT LIKE SLEEP You appear by my side, silent like sleep. Soft hair, a little wild. No fear, gentle like a calm river. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-goddard/silent-like-sleep-you-appear-by-my-side-silent-like-sleep-soft-hair-a/) [Donna Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-goddard/) > [Friendship, "the wine of life," should, like a well-stocked cellar, be continually renewed; and it is consolatory to think, that although we can seldom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-boswell/friendship-the-wine-of-life-should-like-a-well-stocked-cellar-be/) [James Boswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-boswell/) > [Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/change-is-inevitable-but-personal-growth-is-a-choice/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [He who is content with what has been done is an obstacle in the path of progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/he-who-is-content-with-what-has-been-done-is-an-obstacle-in-the-path/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [“There is no growth without risk. There is always something to be gained from any experience. It is up to us to interpret our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/truth-devour/there-is-no-growth-without-risk-there-is-always-something-to-be/) [Truth Devour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/truth-devour/) > [Create an environment for people to fail, to learn, and to grow. Their creativity and productivity will increase.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/create-an-environment-for-people-to-fail-to-learn-and-to-grow-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You have to improve; that's how you develop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gustafsson/you-have-to-improve-that-s-how-you-develop/) [Alexander Gustafsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gustafsson/) [Browse all 9,113 Growth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Personal growth is not a matter of learning new information but of unlearning old limits.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alan Cohen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/personal-growth-is-not-a-matter-of-learning-new-information-but-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Growth" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/personal-growth-is-not-a-matter-of-learning-new-information-but-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0c/alan-cohen-1112_growth_personal-growth-is-not-a-matter-of-learn_744888.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0c/alan-cohen-1112_growth_personal-growth-is-not-a-matter-of-learn_744888.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c0c/alan-cohen-1112_growth_personal-growth-is-not-a-matter-of-learn_744888.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Personal growth is not a matter of learning new information but of unlearning old limits.” — Alan Cohen", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Alan Cohen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Personal growth is not a matter...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/personal-growth-is-not-a-matter-of-learning-new-information-but-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/personal-growth-is-not-a-matter-of-learning-new-information-but-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```