The Importance of Lifelong Learning
We usually think of our teens and early twenties as our most formative years, the time when we learn how to take care of ourselves and how to survive in the world. But learning doesn’t stop when we leave college or when we land our first real job. We spend our lives learning: gaining new skills to perform our jobs and to take care of our families, adjusting our worldviews as we encounter new situations and new people, and settling into the aging of our bodies and our brains. Every day, we can discover something remarkable and new—the trick is finding and keeping that insatiable curiosity we all had as children.
The philosophy of lifelong learning is simple, but there are many ways you can commit to learning new things throughout your life. How you learn—and why—is up to you. But a few guiding principles can help you apply what you learn to your work, your art, and your everyday life.
Staying sharp
Studies have shown that elderly men and women who play brain-challenging games, like cards and crossword puzzles, might delay the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease symptoms like memory loss. But the benefits of these games aren’t just reaped by the elderly: playing brain-teasing games or more serious pursuits like learning a new language can help keep your mind agile. So don’t be afraid to play board games with friends or spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon with a Sudoku square—you’re doing your mind a world of good.
Following your bliss
Have you always wanted to cook French cuisine or paint a mural? It’s never too late to pursue your dreams—and taking the time to learn new skills can do more than give you a sense of accomplishment. By finding a way to reach your personal goals, you can also improve the quality of your life and the lives of those around you: going to a cooking school or taking art classes can give you a chance to live your dreams and share what you’ve learned with friends and family. Many cities have artists’ groups that allow fellow artists to showcase their work as well as learn from others; joining one can give you the chance to create beautiful art and discover new ways to express yourself through your work.
Improving your career
In addition to keeping your brain healthy and fulfilling some of your personal goals, lifelong learning can also lead to a better career. If you’re interested in moving up in your current job, or you’d like to change careers, enrolling in college classes is a great option. Traditional college classes are becoming a lot less traditional lately: students can enroll in online training programs or take non-credit classes at a local university or community college. Explore programs and classes, and choose what you think would be best both for your career and your overall well-being.
Committing to lifelong learning can be as casual or as disciplined as you like. The goal is to explore the world, from other countries to your back yard, in new ways. By letting yourself ask questions, and being willing to listen to and learn from others, you’ll open your world in more ways than you can imagine.
We usually think of our teens and early twenties as our most formative years, the time when we learn how to take care of ourselves and how to survive in the world. But learning doesn’t stop when we leave college or when we land our first real job. We spend our lives learning: gaining new skills to perform our jobs and to take care of our families, adjusting our worldviews as we encounter new situations and new people, and settling into the aging of our bodies and our brains. Every day, we can discover something remarkable and new—the trick is finding and keeping that insatiable curiosity we all had as children.
The philosophy of lifelong learning is simple, but there are many ways you can commit to learning new things throughout your life. How you learn—and why—is up to you. But a few guiding principles can help you apply what you learn to your work, your art, and your everyday life.
Staying sharp
Studies have shown that elderly men and women who play brain-challenging games, like cards and crossword puzzles, might delay the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease symptoms like memory loss. But the benefits of these games aren’t just reaped by the elderly: playing brain-teasing games or more serious pursuits like learning a new language can help keep your mind agile. So don’t be afraid to play board games with friends or spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon with a Sudoku square—you’re doing your mind a world of good.
Following your bliss
Have you always wanted to cook French cuisine or paint a mural? It’s never too late to pursue your dreams—and taking the time to learn new skills can do more than give you a sense of accomplishment. By finding a way to reach your personal goals, you can also improve the quality of your life and the lives of those around you: going to a cooking school or taking art classes can give you a chance to live your dreams and share what you’ve learned with friends and family. Many cities have artists’ groups that allow fellow artists to showcase their work as well as learn from others; joining one can give you the chance to create beautiful art and discover new ways to express yourself through your work.
Improving your career
In addition to keeping your brain healthy and fulfilling some of your personal goals, lifelong learning can also lead to a better career. If you’re interested in moving up in your current job, or you’d like to change careers, enrolling in college classes is a great option. Traditional college classes are becoming a lot less traditional lately: students can enroll in online training programs or take non-credit classes at a local university or community college. Explore programs and classes, and choose what you think would be best both for your career and your overall well-being.
Committing to lifelong learning can be as casual or as disciplined as you like. The goal is to explore the world, from other countries to your back yard, in new ways. By letting yourself ask questions, and being willing to listen to and learn from others, you’ll open your world in more ways than you can imagine.
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