Posted March 14th, 2017
By Kris Powers
“Make the most of yourself...for that is all there is of you.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
Lifelong learning involves seeking or creating learning opportunities for both personal and professional reasons. This type of learning applies to everything that we learn throughout our life, not just what is learned in a classroom. Continuous learning allows us to make better, informed decisions. It enhances our understanding of the world around us, betters our social skills and helps us to grow and develop. Lifelong learning also assists us in becoming more successful in our careers. For example, some of us may find that advances in technology make it necessary to stay current on the latest programs and training in order to keep our skills current in the workplace.
Two of the many reasons for learning throughout life are personal development and professional development. These two reasons are not entirely separate as personal development can improve your professional life and professional development can benefit your personal existence.
Learning for personal development - Keeping an active and sharp mind will benefit you your entire life. Learning something new is a very rewarding experience. It can boost your self-esteem and add some excitement to your life! Some examples of learning for personal development might include improving your skills and knowledge around a pastime or hobby that you enjoy (photography, floral arranging). Or brushing up on your computer skills and understanding of social media to more easily allow you to keep in touch with friends and loved ones. You may even decide to take a course simply because you are drawn to the subject matter and the challenges of academic study.
Learning for professional development - Employers are looking for well-rounded people with transferable skills. One way to set yourself apart from the competition is to demonstrate that you are eager to learn and develop. Whether you are currently employed or are seeking employment, take advantage of training, coaching or mentoring opportunities. Investing in your continuous development will allow you to add skills to your resume and make you more valuable and indispensable to your current or future employer. A more highly skilled and knowledgeable worker is an asset to any team and this can lead to faster advancement within a company.
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