Written by: Gloria Sloan, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
The ongoing pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons is important throughout life. It is about being open to innovative ideas and new perspectives to achieve personal fulfillment. Lifelong learning can help you to improve and continue growing through your own spiritual seasons in life. You could very well be a lifelong learner and never thought of it as such. Some people are always advancing to new opportunities, involved in practical physical activities, challenging the start of a project, obtaining a certification or higher degree, and let us not forget social media blogging and podcasting among the movers and shakers to initiate and build influence. There are countless ways to characterize the act or experience of a lifelong learner.
Becoming a lifelong learner gives you an additional perspective on humanity with new insights that can lead to a more fulfilling life with aging. Are you in the habit of learning new things? Do you enjoy reading, teaching, or do you have friends who are always learning something new? The practice to keep learning is good for more reasons than you may realize. A lifelong learner is initiative-taking and is constantly finding new undertakings and experiences. They want to be the best, most well-rounded version of themselves, both personally and professionally. The world is constantly changing, and the mastery of life skills and peaked expertise are becoming more important to meet transformed occupations in the workplace and careers. The value of life skills is significant in fostering the sum of life’s experiences and points to highlight why lifelong learning is so important to personal growth. It builds your knowledge and elevates your wisdom.
A 2020 Trend Magazine article on lifelong learning by the Pew Research Center, Source an internationally known public opinion research center, reported as we live longer and workplace requirements expand, continued learning and retraining are becoming essential. “The most valuable workers now and in the future will be those who can combine technical knowledge with human skills and adapt to the changing needs of the workplace.” As the economy moves deeper into a knowledge-focused age, significant changes are reshaping the American workplace. The fastest-growing occupations demand an evolving set of skills, and that new reality is prompting many workers to upgrade their own skills and contemplate learning as a lifelong commitment. A survey conducted found that a majority of workers recognize new demands, and that future job success may rest on learning new skills. “Americans think the responsibility for preparing and succeeding in today’s workforce starts with individuals themselves.” Key Takeaway – A new learning ecosystem is needed to address the evolving demands for new knowledge and training throughout our longer work lives.
Personal development is the process of learning anything that strengthens your mind and builds self-confidence that heightens your ability to grow. Professional development, in contrast is learning transferable skills to market your value in a particular industry. In either case, an innate curiosity serves to inspire your thoughts and motivation to learn. Understanding the benefits of both professional and personal development can be applied by effective methods to become the best type of lifelong learner. To become a lifelong learner, you must be committed and enthusiastic about the pursuit of learning and believe that learning is a journey and not a destination.
On becoming a lifelong learner
Develop a growth mindset to embrace challenges and accept that skill acquisition requires effort, and that improvement is possible. It grows into a practice whereas you take responsibility for your future and ownership in the decisions that you make. The fun is advancing and creating new opportunities that make you an invaluable source that opens the door to teach what you know. A wonderful way of continuous learning is to teach others as it consolidates and reinforces your knowledge. Take hold of being an action learner by facilitating and tackling difficult problems. Reflecting on results is a most important aspect of learning because you can think deeply about what you have learned and build review periods into your learning, so you do not forget.
Broaden powers of concentration and add programs of exercise and nutrition into your lifelong learning habits. The brain and the body need ongoing attention to keep mentally and physically fit. Lifelong learning increases our wisdom and helps us to understand ourselves better. Why does lifelong learning matter? Each day gives us a new opportunity to gain experience and reach our full potential.
Benefits of lifelong learning
There are multiple long-term benefits from incorporating lifelong learning in your life. The truth is that most people will learn something new through communications with others, news media, web searching, and by discovering a personal interest. The process of continuous learning is all about you. The benefits include harnessing leadership potential, increases adaptability for things that may come your way, it improves emotional balance for happiness, serves as inspiration and helps you stay socially connected. It helps your brain stay healthy and your mind sharp, as well as increasing critical thinking skills and competence. Not to mention the wealthy attributes that it can bring.
Imagine a lasting fulfillment when you continue learning and growing. Lifelong learning can recognize a natural drive to encourage self-improvement and satisfaction. We develop a sense of self-worth and inspiration when we: A) Enrich your life with the things that spark your curiosity, simply because you want to know how, what, or why. Fortify and round out the skills you need to help develop your passion; B) Being consistent with the effort to learn by preserving the desire to obtain new knowledge. Develop an attitude where you are constantly learning; C) Sharing your knowledge by helping others deepen and engrains the depth of your experience; D) Cultivate positive growing vibes and emotional strength in your surrounding environment; and E) Appreciate the abundance in your life with gratitude. Show love to what you know by giving.
Our society is driven by a constant and ever-changing environment, so it is important to keep up. We are all learning increasingly regardless of whether we realize it or not. Knowledge is taking place in everything we see, hear, and do – every day, every minute, somewhere. There is always something to be learned. Everything you know will never be enough.
If you would like guidance on your personal development learning journey, please contact me here or visit here for more information.
Gloria Sloan, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Gloria Sloan is an inspiring leader in personal and professional development. Sloan’s life was transformed when she aligned her habits with self-knowledge that optimized her productivity, business, and personal growth. Her insights and strategic management style vividly promotes fulfillment in life. She is CEO of Personal Dynamics, Inc., author, life coach, and speaker. She offers practical successful approaches to elevate and motivate greatness using essential life skills and applied knowledge.
