In a constantly changing world of work, lifelong learning has become a necessity to adapt to the rapid changes that are shaping our modern society. But how do you stay in a process of learning and development once you have left school? In this article, we explore the benefits of lifelong learning, the mindset needed to succeed, and ways to put it into practice every day, as part of vocational training. Then it's up to you to play!
What is lifelong learning?
Lifelong learning is the continuous and voluntary pursuit of learning, whether for personal or professional reasons. Thus, the lifelong learner multiplies the training courses, his motivation is endogenous (i.e. personal) and not exogenous. People who learn throughout their lives show great curiosity and value their knowledge in the job market. It is a philosophy of personal and professional development that consists of continue to learn and learn at any age, at all stages of life.
Lifelong learning has also been shown to boost our brain's plasticity, which in turn improves our cognitive abilities.
The benefits of lifelong learning
The For those who practice it, life long learning offers crucial advantages at all levels. Here are a few:
- An adaptation to the world of tomorrow: Lifelong learning allows individuals to adapt to technological change. A person who is always looking for new training, reading, attending conferences, looking for information, etc. will be in a better position to succeed and contribute to the future of their business.
- Personal enrichment: The lifelong learner explores new topics, develops new passions and often has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Lifelong learning is a bulwark against boredom and offers a richer life. Each training course brings its share of new knowledge and soft skills.
- Improving skills: Whether it is a question of improving specific professional skills, technical skills or interpersonal skills, continuing education allows you to perfect and develop your skills in various fields, foreign languages such as English or simply review French concepts. Continuous learning allows lifelong learners to obtain certifications, proof of their new knowledge.
The mental health benefits of lifelong learning
Cognition and memory: As we age, it is common to experience mental decline that can affect our memory. Research shows that continuing to learn throughout life can lower our risk of dementia as we age and keep our minds sharp.
Social connection: Research shows that most people are likely to find connections with people who share similar interests. Engaging in lifelong learning can provide opportunities to develop new relationships with other learners or to nurture existing connections by sharing or exchanging knowledge.
Positivity and accomplishment: Some experts suggest that setting and achieving goals and learning new skills can lead to positive feelings of accomplishment. People who are committed to learning report feeling better about themselves and having a greater ability to cope with stress, as well as to experience a greater sense of hope. By acquiring new skills and knowledge, individuals gain confidence in themselves with each new training. This encourages them to take on new challenges and reach higher goals.
The impact of lifelong learning on your professional development
Continuous learning is essential For rstay competitive in the job market of today. Here's how lifelong learning can impact career development:
- Professional opportunities: In our world of work, it is becoming impossible to rest on what we have learned. In any field, there is always something new to learn. Acquiring new skills and certifications allows you to prepare for the challenges of tomorrow and can even open up opportunities for promotion within a company or help to get a new job.
- Professional retraining: For those considering a career change, continuing education can provide the skills needed to make a smooth transition and change jobs more easily.
- A successful entrepreneur: For entrepreneurs and lifelong learners, continuous learning is essential to develop and improve skills in many areas: management, marketing, finance, etc.
How do you become a lifelong learner?
First of all, you have to acquire a state of mind. An inquisitive mind is always looking for more. He strives for new challenges, new ideas and experiences, and continuous learning. So, The lifelong learner is always ready to explore new areas and new training opportunities, he always seeks to understand the environment in which he evolves, asks himself questions, seeks answers himself and opens himself up to new training opportunities. He is more likely to change jobs quickly. Here are some ideas for becoming a lifelong learner:
- Participate in training courses offered by your company
Video courses, challenges between colleagues, microlearning, content capsules, content capsules, augmented reality that offers an immersive experience, quizzes, certifications, SPOC, your company probably has ways to train online in the field of your skills or on subjects that interest you in general. Do not hesitate to look for information!
- Enroll in courses or MOOC : Resume studies by joining face-to-face courses, whether on art history, general knowledge or economics, search the internet for what you might like. You can also search the large catalog of online courses and resources, many of which are free and well-designed by universities around the world. Digital marketing or computer language, a lifelong learner will always find happiness!
- Read regularly: Always have a current book on your bedside table: Reading is a simple but powerful way to learn constantly. Also read articles or blogs on various topics to broaden your horizons.
- Participate in conferences, webinars, or workshops: Conferences and webinars provide an opportunity to stay up to date with the latest trends, meet experts, and network with like-minded professionals. And why not get certified in a specific field.
In conclusion, lifelong learning is an essential approach to cultivate knowledge and support the growth of your business. The OECD suggests that more than 30% of current jobs are likely to change significantly in the near future. By adopting an attitude of continuous learning, we develop our potential and seize new opportunities. A lifelong learner is an active player in their personal and professional growth. It is better adapted to the challenges of our rapidly changing world. Become a lifelong learner to succeed in your career and personal life!
