Did you know? Lifelong learning affords a score of benefits, career growth not the least of them. Find out how to unleash your curiosity and learn.
Are you a lifelong learner? The odds are good that you already are to some degree. After all, it’s been said that “the only individuals who stop learning are those who stop living.”
Learning is not confined to the classroom. Lifelong learners are self-motivated and voluntarily seek out new experiences and information. And the results are staggering – you can gain new skills, improve your job satisfaction, take care of your brain’s health, or satiate your curiosity at any age.
The best part is, it’s easy to cultivate a lifelong learning habit. From simple observation to free certifications that look good on a resume, you can lay the groundwork for lifelong learning today. We’ll look at seven ways you can expand your learning horizons.
Benefits of Lifelong Learning
Some career paths are intrinsically tied to lifelong learning. For example, physicians need to keep pace with the latest medical breakthroughs. Lawyers must understand new cases that set precedents. Not to mention computer programmers, IT specialists, and software designers who must keep up to date with, and understand cutting-edge advances in technology.
In nearly every field of work, though, you can target skills that will make you more efficient and invaluable as an employee. What’s more is that it’s great for job security. But lifelong learning has lots of after-hours benefits as well.
● You can learn practical skills that help in all areas of life. Learning also fosters greater self-confidence and increases your ability to pick new things up more easily. Yes, knowing how to learn is a skill in itself!
● Expanding your knowledge can also help you become more empathetic to others and may stave off the mental decline of old age.
● Learning also contributes to happiness, improves life satisfaction, and combats boredom.
Start Your Lifelong Learning Habit
Learning is not hard. You can begin by making learning a habit today – right now, even. In fact, reading this article can be your first step. You can also embark on one or more of the following easy (and often free-of-charge) avenues for lifelong learning.
Observe
As infants, we take in massive amounts of information through observation. We can do the same as adults if we just take the time to do so.
In our fast-paced world, many people don’t take the time to observe the people and things around them. But we can learn much from cause-and-effect observations, such as the results of one person’s reaction to another.
Observation can also spark curiosity, which may lead us to one of the following modes of learning. For example, if you observe birds, animals, flowers, or something else in nature, you may become curious enough to look them up in a book or online. If you watch and listen to people, you may be made aware of a new tool, song, or concept.
Read
Reading is one of the best ways to continue educating ourselves. Libraries—both physical and digital—contain nonfiction books on basically every subject available. You can delve into topics that interest you by subscribing to journals or reading blogs on that topic.
Watch
If you find sustained reading difficult or if you are studying a subject that requires visual aids, consider watching a documentary or even a YouTube video on the topic. From crafts and construction to theoretical physics, people have shared their knowledge and practical skills in video format.
Listen
Podcasts and audio books are great learning resources, especially if you feel you are too busy to sit down for a documentary or a book. You can listen to the material while driving, exercising, or doing chores.
Ask Questions
One of the best ways to learn about a subject is to ask questions of someone who already knows. Reach out on social networks, search out experts in forums, or look out for local events which are focused on the subject you want to learn more about. You may even find a mentor who is willing to teach you more.
Take a Class
The structure of lectures, assignments, and due dates helps keep some lifelong learners motivated. You could return to a formal classroom setting, or you could use an online, self-paced service like Universal Class.
Taking classes is a great way to obtain the continuing education credits needed to maintain certification or licensure in some fields. You can also get certified in new skills – which will look great on your resume. Furthermore, you might be able to request additional formal training at your workplace.
Explore
Travel is a great way to facilitate learning – whether you’re going around the block or around the world. Consider creating a bucket list of places you’d like to visit. Close to home, explore places you might not otherwise – go to an art museum, a botanical garden, a zoo, an antique store, or a restaurant featuring exotic cuisine.
When you travel farther from home, talk to people. Get to know them. Identify any preconceived notions you might have had about the place, and “ground-truth” them – dismiss prejudices and learn hands-on facts. Learning in this way can foster empathy, cultural sensitivity, and understanding.
Key Takeaways
As an adult, you can adopt learning as a lifelong habit. Make observations, read, take a class, and explore new places. Doing so will help you learn new skills, identify new interests, cultivate empathy, and have greater satisfaction in life.
Get going on one or more of these ideas and take care of your brain, starting from today!
