Did you know that Tokelau is the first country in the world to be powered by 100% renewable energy?
Did you know that civilisations in places as far apart as America, Africa and Asia all have traditional myths about a rabbit or hare living in the moon?
Did you know that you can edit the dimensions of a motion path in Articulate Storyline by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Enter, even though there’s no button to get to this window?
Ok, that last one is probably only interesting to you if you’re a resource developer, but these are just a few of the things I’ve learned here at Lift Education. (And that’s just in the last month!)
At Lift Ed, we’re big believers in being lifelong learners. We love to learn, because you never know what you’re going to find out. Humans have a natural curiosity about the world and feeding that makes us feel good. That’s gotta be good for you, right?
Science says so. Here are a few research-backed benefits of continuing to fill our minds with new ideas and facts.
Five ways being a lifelong learner is good for you
1. Learning grows your mind and expands your creativity
Creativity happens when your mind puts two or more seemingly incongruous concepts (things that seem like they clash) together to make something new.
The more concepts you have at your mental fingertips, the more possible combinations there are, meaning learning and creativity go hand-in-hand.
2. Learning reduces effects of aging
Learning throughout your life helps keep your brain sharp.
In fact, a recent study showed that learning to read as an adult completely rewires the brain. Other research shows learning can significantly improve memory and cognitive ability, and help avoid or slow the development of dementia.
Amazing!
3. You have more career prospects
It’s a well-worn observation at this point, but we live in a time of rapidly changing technology and circumstances. The ability to adapt and improve your performance is one of the advantages of lifelong learning both in and out of the office.
4. You’re more confident (and you feel better about life in general)
Studies show that keeping your brain active and learning new things increases your confidence and your sense of general wellbeing. Research participants who engage in ongoing learning report having a greater sense of purpose and overall satisfaction.
5. The more you learn, the more you can make a difference in the world
Keeping yourself educated about new concepts and information literally makes you more open-minded. Expanding your mind with lifelong learning is also likely to make you more understanding and tolerant of others.
We don’t know what we don’t know, and by continuing to educate ourselves we can help ourselves, our careers, and the world.
Penelope Summers is an editor, technical writer and resource developer. She has worked for Lift since 2010, with a few breaks for overseas adventures.
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