Here in North America, it’s Labour Day (or Labor Day for my American friends). The unofficial end of summer also means it’s back to school time for students across Canada and in some US states. But heading back to school isn’t just for kids. There are many good reasons for people of all ages to set some learning goals.
A few years ago, I attended a presentation about the future of work and learning. The speaker was David Mallon of Bersin, a division of Deloitte. Mallin said today’s workers will need the equivalent of a master’s degree of new knowledge every 10 years to keep pace with how the workplace is changing. This validated something I’ve always believed: Lifelong learning is critical to success.
Some might call me a learning addict. I’ve been taking courses for personal and professional development my entire adult life. I may be retired from my primary career, but I plan to continue learning. I don’t believe there will ever be a time when I will want to stop learning.
Learning Increases in Importance in a Changing World
The 4th industrial revolution we are currently in is introducing change at a pace the world has never seen before. This fundamental shift is reinventing the concept of work. Almost half of today’s jobs could disappear in 10 years. As old jobs disappear, new ones will emerge. Workers will need to continually retrain and upskill to stay relevant.
In short, the days of being able to leave education behind after high school, college or university are long gone.
Benefits of Being a Lifelong Learner
In addition to helping you get that new job, or keep the one you’ve got, being a lifelong learner has other benefits.
- It keeps your brain engaged and your mind sharp. Emerging research shows continual learning can delay age-related memory loss and reduce the risk of dementia.
- Learning opens your mind to new ideas and diverse opinions. In our current political and social environment, that can only be a good thing.
- Taking a class can improve social connections by giving you the opportunity to meet new people who share the same interests as you. A strong social network is a factor in healthy aging.
- Learning something new boosts your confidence. Nothing beats the sense of accomplishment you get from mastering a new skill or achieving an educational milestone.
- It reduces boredom. Studies have shown being bored and having too much time on your hands can be a problem for anyone suffering from mental health issues.
- For parents, being a lifelong learner sets a great example for your kids. I recall a co-worker who graduated from a college program telling me her young daughter asked, “Mommy, why do you go to school? Adults go to work; kids go to school.” She responded with the following quote from C.S. Lewis, which I think is very fitting:
You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.
Opportunities for Learning are Endless
Technology has made it possible to learn just about anything from the comfort of our homes for free. Between YouTube and online platforms like Coursera and EdX, the possibilities are endless. If you prefer in-person learning, your public library or community centre may also offer free or low-cost programs.
What are you waiting for? Sign up for a course today. Your brain will thank you!
I believe in practising what I preach so, later this month, I’m starting the final course in Simon Fraser University’s Plain Language Certificate program.
What will you learn this back-to-school season? Drop me a comment below to let me know.
Learn more about me in my bio and on my personal blog at BoomerEcoCrusader.com. You can also find me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
I also believe in life long learning. My next chapter will be AI, even though I just read an article saying that there will be soon an AI bubble…
AI is such a fascinating topic. I’m curious to see how it evolves.
You’re so right, lifelong learning is a must in today’s crazy-fast world. Online courses are the best, aren’t they? Keeps our minds fresh and opens doors. Good luck with your certificate program 🙏🙌
Thanks Ritish. Yes, there are so many free online learning options these days. And many of the courses on platforms like Coursera are offered by credible educational institutions. There really is no excuse!
I love learning new things. You mentioned great resources – the access to cheap and free courses online is amazing.
I’m a fan of EdX. I’ve taken several courses there.
You’re right, Michelle! There is so much free content out there. I haven’t used EdX but have done a couple of courses on Coursera. Excellent content from credible sources!
Thanks, Michelle. You’re right. We’re so lucky to have access to free content from credible sources. I haven’t used EdX but have used Coursera and found it to be excellent.
Most people will overlook or ignore the most basic and obvious “schools” that humanity has developed. This is SHK (School of Hard Knocks), as reinforced through something that many people like to participate in – tabletop role playing games (TTRPGs). These TTRPGs will present people with sudden situations for people then they need to figure out some manner how to solve the problem. No matter if the game is fantasy, scifi, western, espionage, or anything else, I have never found or created a problem that has in some way be relevant to real life (job, family, social, etc). Most of the time, a situation comes up in a game that the school will not think of or adequately train someone.
That’s such an excellent point. Most learning occurs in real life after we leave formal education. That’s why wisdom and experience—things that are often undervalued in the corporate world—are so critical and a necessary compliment to formal education.
A wonderful post. The more I learn, the less I know. There’s always so much more to reach for. We’ve all fed and nurtured AI intentionally and not. I call computer information and personal, business, academic etc ‘data’ globally ‘Robot Food’ as AI will become integrated with robotics even more than these early days challenging HI (Human Intelligence) to pick up the pace. 😂
“The more I learn, the less I know.” Isn’t that the truth! I think that outlook comes from having a growth mindset and a curious nature. The challenge with AI is people could become lazy and not fact check or question things. We have to keep learning to be able to tell fact from fiction!
So true! ✨
I love life long learning, I use free apps like Arti Academics, where I’ve been studying Real estate, I also study Logistics using Prologis Academics, another free program. I’m also beginning classes at BYU-Pathways majoring in Applied Health starting on the 16th and I just finished a Bitcoin as and a Web3 class, got certified. I don’t think I will ever stop learning. Thanks for sharing this post. I’m glad to see so many people who are like me!
That’s impressive, Linda. Good luck with your Applied Health studies.
Thank you very much, Michelle.
I love that you call yourself “a learning addict,” Michelle. That’s so good. As are all the benefits you highlight here. Thank you!
There’s just so much to learn, Wynne. I recall a podcast you and Vicki did with Dr. Stein where he talked about being interested and interesting. It’s so true.