As children, learning was an important part of our lives–you probably went to school every day. As young adults we perhaps continue through college and learning on the job. Many of us stop learning on a regular basis by the time we hit our thirties. We may pick up something new here or there, or learn a new piece of software or equipment at work. But for the most part, the feeling is that we’ve acquired all the knowledge we need in life. While that’s technically true, there is a lot to be said about life-long learning.
Does this mean that you should go back to school as an adult? Not necessarily. While that’s certainly an option, formal education in a school or university setting isn’t the only way we learn. There are a lot of advantages to self-learning in a variety of ways. Life-long learning keeps your mind strong, helps you stay up-to-date on technology in a fast paced and ever-changing world, and improves quality of life.
Independent or self-paced learning can take a lot of different forms. You might simply decide to read up on a particular course through a variety of google searches. You can teach yourself a new skill through online articles and YouTube videos. Harvard has free courses on line, as well as MIT and many other universities. Listening to audio books or formal lectures like those available at the “Great Courses” website or through iTunes are other options. And of course there are plenty of online and local courses you can take on all sorts of topics. Take a workshop, learn a new language or find a new hobby that requires new skills. There is an almost unlimited amount of knowledge available to you.
Learning keeps our mind active and curious. Mastering a new skill or figuring out a tough problem creates a lot of pride and confidence, all of which help create purpose and intention in our lives. Think of learning as a way to exercise your mind. Continued learning helps us understand the world around us, and the people in it better. That in turn will help make us more compassionate and well-informed humans. Added bonus! Self-paced learning is a great way to practice self-motivation, a skill that will useful throughout life.
Think about what you’re doing already that is part of life-long learning. What are some things you would like to learn? Start making a short list of knowledge and skill goals and then start tackling them one a time. Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to use Photoshop, knit a sweater, or you’re interested in medieval history. Maybe you want to build your own computer, or learn how to operate a lathe. So what are you waiting for? Make a plan and start making life-long learning a habit.
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