The top 10 benefits of lifelong learning

As a new graduate, you might think of education as something that’s behind you for now. But learning shouldn’t stop when you leave school. For many, learning is a lifelong process, and an essential part of professional and personal development. 

Lifelong learning is one of the best ways for you to continuously improve and upskill. And besides being important to a successful and fulfilling career, the skills and knowledge you learn can also come in handy in your private life.

What is lifelong learning, exactly? And why is it important? In this article we explore 10 of the top benefits of lifelong learning and share some steps you can take to make learning a part of your life.

Understanding lifelong learning

Lifelong learning means being proactive about gaining new knowledge and skills, no matter your age or experience level. It’s the idea that people can continue to develop and better themselves throughout their lives, beyond the formal education of high school and university.

Continued learning relates both to your personal life and your career path, and can encompass picking up new technical skills, broadening your knowledge in different fields and experiencing new things. 

Being a lifelong learner requires an open mind and curious attitude. It helps to have a growth mindset, so that you recognise opportunities for self-development and understanding more about the world around you. 

The importance of lifelong learning

Why is lifelong learning important? It means committing to ongoing self improvement, which can lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful life. It involves being adaptable and open to change — important personal qualities to have in and out of the workplace.

Being open to lifelong learning means over time you can master soft skills like time management, communication, conflict resolution and problem solving. In your professional life, ongoing learning can pave the way to career advancement and gives you the best chances of staying in demand in your field.

Key benefits of lifelong learning

The big-picture benefit of lifelong learning is that it allows you to understand and keep up with the world around you. Here are more top advantages that lifelong learning can bring.

1. Enhanced professional competence

Lifelong learning allows you to gain new skills and embrace new technologies relevant to your role and industry. This not only allows you to stay competent and knowledgeable in your field, it can open up new career opportunities. People who know their jobs well and feel competent at work also report higher job satisfaction. 

2. Personal growth and self-improvement

The benefits of lifelong learning cross over into your personal life. With an open mind towards self-improvement, you can become a better communicator, build your self-esteem and even discover new passions and interests. When you engage in self-improvement activities you become more confident, which has positive knock-on effects on your relationships and interactions with others. 

3. Social and community benefits

Lifelong learning can provide many social benefits as well. Well-educated communities experience lower crime rates and better overall health. Lifelong learners tend to be more socially active and involved in their communities. Committing to continuous learning correlates to being open-minded and having empathy for others, which helps create more supportive social networks.  

4. Cognitive and mental health advantages

As you grow older, committing to learning new things can help you stay mentally sharp. Keeping your brain active is important in staying healthy and being able to live independently in your senior years. Even in your youth, learning new things keeps your mind engaged and can improve mental health. Establishing a commitment to ongoing learning in youth is a good way of setting yourself up for a happy and healthy mindset throughout your life.

5. Economic benefits

It makes sense that the more skilled and knowledgeable you are, the higher your earning capacity. Lifelong learners can leverage their abilities to advance their careers and pursue new opportunities. People with many different skills often excel in a range of areas at work, making them valuable to employers and less at risk of unemployment.

6. Cultural awareness and global understanding

Lifelong learners are often keen travellers and open-minded about trying things outside their comfort zone. They’re open to new experiences and are curious about cultural differences, using empathy to try and understand diverse ways of life. Following a process of lifelong learning can make you more tolerant and accepting of others, which can open you up to new friendships and job opportunities.

7. Creativity and innovation

Lifelong learning can expose you to new ways of thinking and solving problems. As a result you might find your imagination more engaged, giving you the ability to find more creative solutions to things. Being open to new ideas and approaches helps you innovate and think outside the box, which can make you more effective at work and more adaptable in your home life. 

8. Leadership and management skills

Both directly and indirectly, lifelong learning can help you build strong leadership skills. Aside from taking specific leadership and management training, the knowledge you accrue from being a lifelong learner can help you develop leadership skills like written and verbal communication, time management and decision-making.

9. Adaptability and resilience

Being adaptable and resilient will always be beneficial, both at work and in your personal life. The growth mindset that comes with lifelong learning can help you cope with changing circumstances and embracing challenges. The more flexible and resilient you are, the better you can overcome setbacks, including job rejections. 

10. Health and lifestyle improvements

The more educated you are, the more likely it is that you will make smart lifestyle choices. Lifelong learning has the potential to introduce you to ways of life different from the one you experienced growing up, which can influence your attitude towards health and fitness. 

The lifelong learner’s mindset

So, how do you become a lifelong learner? It starts by getting into the right frame of mind. Lifelong learners are curious and open-minded. They see change as exciting and challenges as opportunities for growth. 

To be a lifelong learner, you should be eager to experience new things and learn new concepts. You resist biases and try not to become set in your ways. You enjoy going out of your comfort zone and discovering what you can about the world. 

How to make lifelong learning a part of your life

Committing to lifelong learning takes conscious effort and involves more than just signing up for free courses at work. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help get you started on your own lifelong learning journey.

1. Set learning goals

It helps to set realistic SMART goals as you learn, because they give you something real to aim for. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-based – it’s a framework to help keep you motivated and moving in the right direction. When you reach a goal, celebrate it and work towards the next one. 

2. Incorporate learning into daily life

Learning shouldn’t be restricted to formal settings – you can make it part of everyday life. When you’re faced with a challenge or uncertain situation, try to see it as a learning experience. Make an effort to frame setbacks as opportunities to improve. On a day-to-day basis, set aside time to learn something new in your field of interest. Use downtime, like your commute, to read a book or write in a journal. 

3. Leverage technology and resources

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to commit to learning, as many free courses can be found online (and in your local library). To complement any formal accreditation, seek out opportunities to learn independently though online resources. There are countless online learning platforms offering a wide variety of courses and topics, with videos, academic materials, podcasts and more.  

4. Build a learning network

Many people find they learn better in a group setting. If that sounds like you, seek out fellow learners in online forums or local communities and join workshops or webinars together. A mentor can also form part of your learning network, providing advice or training in new skills and abilities. Conferences, seminars and industry panels give you more ways to engage with others in a learning environment. 

5. Adopt a growth mindset

You often see the term used in articles about career advice and professional development – but what exactly does ‘growth mindset’ it mean? A growth mindset is when you try to see ‘failures’ and setbacks as opportunities to learn and improve. A growth mindset is essential to lifelong learning.

6. Make learning a habit

If you can incorporate learning into your daily life, you’ll soon find it has become a habit. When something is a habit, it becomes second nature to you, and is much easier to maintain in the long term. To create a habit, you have to commit to doing something regularly. Track your habits to keep yourself accountable and to see your progress. 

Preparing for the future with lifelong learning

Lifelong learning is a smart investment in your future – one that will pay dividends year after year. You don’t just benefit now, you benefit directly and indirectly your entire life. Staying up to date with developments in your industry is a great way of safeguarding your job and setting yourself up for ongoing career success. 

The benefits of ongoing learning impact all areas of life, including career progression, relationships, and mental well-being. Commit to lifelong learning and enjoy more fulfilment at home and at work, and get the skills you need to navigate life changes now and into the future.