I went through a phase in my early 20’s where I thought I knew it all. Looking back I can say that while I had some fun and ended up making it through those years just fine, those were probably the least rewarding, least fun and hardest of my life. I think it was mostly due to the fact that I didn’t really want to learn, or at least I didn’t think I needed to take an active participation in what life was teaching me.
I’m a big believer that in order to succeed in life, and to make the most out of your time, you’ve got to keep seeking out learning as long as you are able. What you learn and how you learn are less important, the idea is that you need to be open to new things and constantly questioning and pushing yourself. I define this attitude as “Lifelong Learning.”
As an entrepreneur, and someone who works with other entrepreneurs, I’ve come to see that not only can Lifelong Learning help you in life, it’s a basic necessity when it comes to business.
Tips for Lifelong Learning
I figured I take a minute and talk about some ways I practice Lifelong Learning and share some insight into how these things have helped me in life and when it comes to business.
Make the decision to keep learning
I think the first step it to simply decide to commit yourself to learning new things. Actively seek out new experiences and put yourself in situations where you’ll have to learn something new. My mom always said, “can’t never did anything.” Adopt a willingness to take risks and go out of your way to get out of your comfort zone and you’ll learn. The Wikipedia defines Lifelong Learning as an attitude:
Lifelong learning is attitudinal; that one can and should be open to new ideas, decisions, skills or behaviors.
It is that, but it’s also a choice.
Get face to face
I’ve found that the simple act of face to face communication with people, especially new people, is a great (and fun) way to learn. We all communicate differently, and we’ve all got something worth teaching. Get out there and meet new people, every one is just waiting to teach you something.
Become a teacher
I’m constantly surprised how much I learn from teaching. If every person has something to teach and teaching will put you in contact with more people, I say teaching is probably the best way to learn.
Of course there are other benefits. For example, I see a big part of what I do as a consultant and designer is client education. Not only am I adding value to my services by providing education, I’m also:
- Marketing and selling my business
- Eliminating communication issues
- Building a solid relationship
- Setting myself, my teams and my clients up for success
Play
Playing games is a great way to learn. By games, I mean just about anything you can think of; video games, card games, little mental distraction games or whatever floats your boat. Games are a great way to exercise those mental muscles. Heck, I’ve even got a game on my Nintendo DS (Brain Age) that’s all about learning and working out your mind. Then there is Sudoku…
Use technology to connect
Something that’s worked great for me over the years, but especially recently, is the ability to connect with people via the web. I’ve connected with so many people that I’d never have had the chance to meet before. I’ve made friends all over the world, and have luckily had the opportunity to work with and/or speak face-to-face with quite a few of them. Each one has something I can learn. It’s simply amazing and one of the reasons why I’m so passionate about what I do.
The technology is there with the web, IM, etc. Make use of it.
Mix it up
Try different ways to learn. I learn best by doing, but I’ve always found there is good value in a well written book. Take a class, then maybe try learning from a book. Different activities can help as well. Try drawing one day, reading the next and maybe writing the day after that.
Mixing up the ways you learn will not only teach you new things, it’ll help keep you engaged and interested in the act of learning.
You don’t need to master everything
I think the act of learning is usually what’s important. Sure there are things you may need to learn for your job, or whatever, but don’t feel like you need to become an expert at everything you pick up. For example, I’m reading a book (see, mixing it up) on Ruby On Rails. I’m learning a lot but I’ve got no intentions of becoming a Ruby programmer or RoR developer. My goal is to learn enough to be able to converse intelligently about it, but that’s about it.
As well, if you take risks (a great way to learn) you’ll likely make mistakes. There is nothing wrong with that, you’ll learn much more from a mistake made than you will from never even trying.
Teach me something!
So, I’ve given you a few of my tips for Lifelong Learning. What’re a few of yours? How do you learn? What does learning mean to you?
I think that lifelong learning is all about being curious. How does something work? why does it work that way? I think that never being content with “That’s just the way it is.” is a good start. I really have to question people who are content with that.
I really like what you said about not having to be a master of everything. I think that too many people get caught up in becoming an expert, they limit their exposure to new and different things.
I would add to the list “Give back”… you already say this indirectly..
It is not only about become better by learning, but also, about giving back, teaching others - that is the legacy you’ll leave behind. You already are doing so with this blog.
ceo
As “Become a teacher”, writing or speaking before an audience about something is a great way to assess knowledge. It’s work great for me. Giving speeches before people on a subject on wich you are supposed to be an expert allows you realize that you’re not such an expert as you think, and to push a little bit more. It’s all about beeing ready to make mistakes and not be ashamed of it.
Like most things, participating in lifelong learning can sometimes take a kick in the pants to initiate. One of the things I’ve tried to do is never say no to an opportunity that is outside of my normal routine, even if I am dubious of the invitation or task that is being asked of me.
So if I get a call from a friend to check out a museum opening, run in a relay, or volunteer some time that conflicts with a standing appointment to watch Lost, I’m going to get off my ass and go learn something.
Break the routine.
Oh, sudoku. This has been the cause of many late night for me. It’s fun to force my brain to think in a logical manner.
One thing for me is to take something I do normally and take it up a notch. I’ve been an avid cyclist for years but never serious until last year. It’s been fun learning about the different aspects of cycling and how to be smarter about the way I ride. My whole perspective has changed and continues to grow.
The next challenge will be to take my old frame and turn it into a single speed commuter.
Great post! We talk about this a lot and refer to it as “staying hungry” - always wanting to know and learn more.
I’ve started to teach people web publishing in New Orleans. It’s put foward as a way to communicate with neighbors and across neighborhoods about the recovery process.
It has been a wonderful way to learn a lot of the City of New Orleans and the recovery and planning process.
Ask questions - if someone uses a word you don’t know, if you’re not sure of etiquette, or if the teacher discusses some technique and you’re not sure what’s going on, don’t hesitate to ask. There are bound to be people who stayed silent but wanted to ask the same question you did.
Open mind - be receptive and open to new things and ideas all the time. If you think learning only goes on inside a classroom you’re mistaken.
Travel/Have a constant stream of new information - Learning is about challenging your worldview and adding new information. Sometimes you need to physically depart from your traditional habits to open your mind. If you can’t travel then keep a list of weblogs/websites that present new, informative information
Great post, Keith! Where are you at with your Brain Age. I hit 25 the other day ;)
When it comes to lifelong learning, I find that taking myself out of my element is the most difficult thing for me. If I get stuck, I like to bring my ideas to people younger or older than me. The difference in knowledge, experience and perspective is much more noticeable in generations other than your own. That difference is usually more than enough to kick my brain’s ass in to gear - and out of my comfort zone.
One thing I try to do - and this is quite similar to what you say about mixing it up - is to expose myself to different activities, those which I normally wouldn’t do. For me, different would mean, for instance, attending an acting class (I’m not an actor and I freeze up in front of an audience) or learning to dance (properly). Sometimes, it’s uncomfortable doing things that are different. But once in a while, you get a gem of an insight that could change your life.
Four years ago, I was invited to a chamber music performance. I wasn’t really into classical music at that point in time, but I went anyway. That performance reminded me of how, as a kid, I had loved music but didn’t have the opportunity to learn it. After that night, I enrolled myself in a music school to learn to play the violin. I’m now 33 and I’m still playing. I sometimes regret not having the chance to pick it up sooner, especially when my violin teacher tells me that I can do what 98% of adult learners can’t do. But I tell myself I’m a long-distance runner (literally and figuratively). It’s not the initial burst that counts, but the stamina and endurance that will bring you to the finish line.
Thanks for the great wake up call.
Mr.20Something
experiences:
i consider that life is full of interesting experiences we get as we live through.some times it gives us pain and the other times it give us joy.we need to equipe ourselves mentally to see life uniquly and try to reduce our receptors to pain and increase receptors to joy.
the whole journey of life is iteself rewarding.
i am 24 and i like to live life like i did at 5.questioning things and unraveling the newest corners of my mind and always ready and wanting to learn new stuff.
i learn mostly from my past experiences trying to rectify myself everytime at least to 1 % from my last attempt.
learning means a lot to me.sometimes i wonder its is the only thing that holds my life forcing my soul to be with my body.
i know there are other basic natural human calls which the mind and body often demands but it is always the search or the quest for learning that keeps me here.
nice thoughts & blog indeed, i also have a similar thinking & i learn basically from a lot of surfing and similar blogs like this one.
Thanks for sharing your ideas here about learning. Ever since I was in Junior High, I set myself with a motto of “learn something new everyday”. I don’t always make such a tight routine, but I do try to learn something new. A new skill, or a tidbit of knowledge. It would almost seem as if just the fact that I made the decision to do it, has brought more knowledge and learning opportunities to me.
It’s important to be curious. Always ask Why? And try to see past just the surface and try to get to the subtext of any situation.
I’d also recommend travel. Plan trips, research the area, learn before you go, find something to learn while you’re there. Open your eyes to different cultures and places.
This is the first time I’ve commented on a blog site, but this very topic compelled me to share my own experiences of “learning”. I am one of those people who for whatever reason was always afraid of what people thought. This caused me to remain almost fearful of trying new things and meeting new people. Now, in my mid 30s, I’m rediscovering the rewards of learning and doing things that I used to avoid for fear of failing or looking stupid.
As of late I’ve been obsessed with starting a business of my own. In the past, fear kept me from pursuing this. I was afraid to put myself out there, but not anymore. I’m not saying it’s easy and it hasn’t been an overnight change but consistently and surely I will continue on my path of learning. Thanks.
If we are humble enough to accept that, life is learning internally for eternity, then we will be happy indeed
I’ve enjoyed reading the various postings about “learning.” In fact, I am asking my graduate students to visit this blog, and read what others have written and post their thoughts on the topic.
As an instructor, I try to focus on learning and the learner. We know what it means to be a student (or we know what it looks like): student sits, teacher delivers. It’s passive; it’s one-way or one-dimensional. That, however, is NOT learning.
Learning is active; it’s at least two-way and multi-dimensional. I try to encourage students to “activate” or “trigger” that desire to learn. Sometimes grades act as a firewall, preventing or discouraging them from taking the risk to discover their interests and pursue their own learning.
I would like to second the claim already made about the importance of reading. When I was in college, I learned at a career workshop that a common interview question is “Tell me about the last book you read.” At that time, I could not answer that question. After having thought about it, it makes so much sense. I was going to be a teacher, but yet did not value personal education for myself.
A major objective of mine, as a high school teacher, to instill the importance of being a lifelong learner. I hope to help my students become better learners, so that they can be more successful, especially after my class is over.
The key to lifelong learning is, as referred to by Dr. Chellis, personal responsibility. The individual must take on a personal responsibility (as it happened with me in college) to become a lifelong learner.
I believe that learning is part of human nature. We learn consciously and unconsciously, in both informal and formal settings. I believe that you can’t learn without the key component of asking questions. Too many adults and children do not ask questions when they don’t understand something because of how others may perceive them and think that it is a stupid question. It is crucial to ask questions. Learning is a never-ending process.
I have found that learning should be a never ending task. So many changes take place in life. My father has recently had 2 knee replacements, and he is not the best at taking it easy and doing what the doctor requires to make recovery better. So I have researched ways to help him or motivate hime to do what is expected of him, to prevent any further problems. He will not take it upon himself to do this, so I feel the responsibility to show him.
Todd mentioned above about installing the importance of being life long learners in his students. I too feel that pressure. Students need constant reminders about the importance of learning. With the pace the world is changing right now it is even more important to do this.
Learning is everything no matter what situation you are in. I had a coach when I was young that had a sign posted in the locker room that read,”When you are through learning, you’re through.” The coach has since retired by that sign still hangs in the locker room.
The concept of play is very important. As an adult I have to constantly remind myself that I don’t need a reason to be interested in something or to suddenly decide to learn something new. I think adults are conditioned to believe anything that takes time must be done with purpose; some sort of end result or tangible product is necessary. My entire life I’ve had a tendency to dive into anything that interests me. Sometimes an interest runs it’s course and I’m done with it. Some interests have stayed with me my entire life. I can safely say none of my time spent learning has gone to waste and I’m happy I’ve never denied myself opportunities to learn. The more you learn the more you want to know. The more you know, the more you want to learn.
I have enjoyed reading the posting about learning. The one thing I would add is that in addition to reading, part of learning is listening. Whether it is part of a casual confersation or a professional one, when we truly let the other person speak, we learn so much more. We might learn something about the person or an insight into a new area.
I agree with Eydie. Over the years, I have found that reading and listening are the most important ways to learn. As the article stated, I did not start learning until I turned 30. In my twenties, I thought that I knew everything. Once facing reality, I opened my mind and took on several ways of receiving as much information as possible. There are several ways in which I now recieve information. I read articles that are interesting to me. I watch the history and discovery channel. In addition, I enjoy talking to people who are smarter than me. I am now 39 years old, and I consider myself a more well rounded person than I was in my twenties. Finally, I also believe that a person cannot learn until they have fully matured.
As teachers we are supposed to be the models of lifelong learning for our students and our community. Yet, we become so busy with our jobs, coaching, families, etc. that the crucial piece of who we are that is lifelong learning gets lost. You almost have to force yourself to bring new things into the classroom and into your life and it’s hard.
Good morning. My name is Eric Valdivia, student at Greenville Technical College in Greenville, South Carolina, USA.
Lifelong Learning first came to my attention by way of a Library Website in South Carolina. I noticed they did not have a logo for the program as they do for some of the Library’s other activities. Google shows 3 million results for Lifelong Learning. I noticed, too, that most organizations do not necessarily have a symbol for their Lifelong Learning publications.
After daydreaming about a trademark, wishing, somehow, that my idea would be implemented, I drew the symbol out in a welcoming format.
Please enjoy my presentation for a proposed logo for your Lifelong Learning advancement. If you know anyone who would like to have a free license to use my images, I would be thrilled if they contacted me with interest in the design!
http://misterandme.com/Documents/lifelonglearning.html
Thank you.
Kind regards, Eric Valdivia