I am a proud lifelong learner and am married to one. I am descended from a long line of lifelong learners and hope that I am raising another generation as well. As a lifelong learner, I am a bit confused by people who think learning is something you can finish off at the age of 18 or 22. Even though I am not currently pursuing a degree or continuing professional training, I still make learning an important part of my life.
Here are seven reasons why you should too:
One of the best reasons for learning more is that knowledge expands your horizons. By looking beyond your immediate concerns, you can truly appreciate all that is good about your own life and help you know what you can do to make the lives of others better. Although learning about the bigger problems of the world can be depressing at times, it can also put your problems and concerns into perspective.
The pursuit of learning also helps you challenge yourself to become a better and smarter person than you are today. Learning, helps you be more as well as learn more. Learning also helps keep your mind sharp. Even if you use your brain every day for complicated thoughts and decisions, it is the challenge of new material and tasks that keep your brain agile.
Learning, in and out of your professional arena, can also help you with your job and career. Learning new skills and ideas that you can apply directly to your job is always good, but sometimes the simple fact that you demonstrate your willingness and ability to learn will give an impression to your boss that you are on the fast track.
The pursuit of knowledge can also widen your social circle by introducing you to different groups of people than you would encounter in your daily life. Friendships that form over a common bond are often the most rewarding friendships you can create.
Learning new and different skills and knowledge can also make you a more interesting person, which will, in turn, help you form new relationships or just make you more interesting and attractive to the people you already know.
Finally, learning can help you improve yourself. Who does not want to be a better, smarter, and more knowledgeable person?
If you are not already a lifelong learner, then perhaps you should consider the benefits you can accrue from the pursuit of knowledge. Learning can expand your horizons, challenge you, improve your mental agility, improve your professional prospects, expand your social circle, make you a more interesting person, and help you improve yourself.
