Written by Cara-Lea Suttie - Student and Graduate Employment & Lifelong Learner
We hear the term “lifelong learner” a lot in education circles – and we think that it is self-explanatory in meaning, but the idea of being a lifelong learner is worth a deeper dive.
What does being a “lifelong learner” mean?
It doesn’t mean you are a permanent College or University student – although if that is your jam – go for it. Instead, it means making a commitment to continuing to grow your knowledge and skills as you move through your life. This can be through formal education options, but it can also be through less formal means, like skill shares or even “YouTube University”. There are so many ways we can gain new knowledge and skill sets – the trick is to be intentional about it. I like to view the idea of being a lifelong learner as growth mindset with it’s work boots on.
Now, you may be wondering what growth mindset is... so let’s take a brief side quest.
The way I explain growth mindset is that it is the power of the word “yet”. Consider the following 2 sentences:
- I don’t know how to juggle.
- I don’t know how to juggle, yet.
Now – if I’m realistic, I may never want to learn to juggle, but the minute I put the word “yet” at the end of the sentence, I open myself up to the possibility that one day I might learn to juggle. That is growth mindset – acknowledging that you have the ability to grow your skills, knowledge, abilities and talents through effort.
Being a lifelong learner is making that commitment to growth mindset – to know that you can always expand your knowledge, skills, abilities and talents – and to put in the work to do so.
Why should I bother to put in the effort to be a lifelong learner?
There are a lot of compelling reasons to commit to being a lifelong learner – some are professional, some personal. So let’s take a look!
Professional:
- Expand both technical and soft skills that can lead to promotions
- Demonstrate to management and supervisors that you are willing to expand your skills and knowledge
- Demonstrate to management that you are flexible and adaptable
- Expand your network and professional connections
- Build confidence
Personal:
- Feed your creative/innovative needs
- Foster neuroplasticity and cognitive health
- Boosts mood
- Improved physical well-being
- A sense of satisfaction and pride
Ok – so you know what it means to be a lifelong learner now, and the reasons to do it. Now we get to the big question –
How do I become a lifelong learner?
First and foremost – start using the word “yet” when it comes to knowledge and skills you don’t have. Changing your mindset takes practice, but when you open yourself up to the power of “yet”, the change really begins to take place.
Second – pick a skill you want to develop or some knowledge you want to have.
Third – figure out how to get that knowledge or skill. Maybe it is reading a book or attending a workshop. Maybe it is listening to a podcast or buying a canvas and some paints and giving it a try.
Fourth – practice the skill/dive into the knowledge.
Fifth – go back to step 2 and repeat as many times as you can.
That’s it. Five steps to becoming a lifelong learner – and all the benefits that come with it.
