BENEFITS OF LIFELONG LEARNING

WHAT IS LIFELONG LEARNING?

Lifelong learning is all about an eternal thirst for acquiring knowledge by passionately exploring diverse areas to develop different skills and to create more efficient solutions through innovative applications.

More interestingly, the wider you explore is the more you discover your ignorance! Truly, the world is so vast, that there can be no end to our knowledge expansion drive – from childhood to the last moment we breathe.

And contrary to popular perceptions, learning does not restrict one to books and formal studies. While certified education comprises a very small part of our overall knowledge, real learning comes from even the simplest of things we encounter in our day to day lives. And this journey happens daily from the kitchen to polishing your shoes to driving or buying daily essentials from the market.

IMPORTANCE OF LIFELONG LEARNING

Undeniably, lifelong learning is the only mode of survival in this dynamic world of continuous discoveries and disruptions that evolve with time, welcoming newer and more efficient possibilities, while rendering many existing practices obsolete.

However, the indispensability of continuous learning is far beyond the commonly held view - update, upgrade or perish! The benefits are multi-fold that make one’s life truly fulfilling and happy, which we are discussing here –

BENEFITS OF LIFELONG LEARNING

INSULTATION AGAINST JOB LOSS

No job or no profession is secure forever, because every few years we see the emergence of disruptive systems and processes in place. And if one sticks to the learnings of his college days, then there is high possibility of being out of job within a few years of starting one’s career, after newer innovations turn that expertise outdated.

ADD EARNING SOURCES

Every business and profession has high competition with squeezed margins. Thus, restricting oneself to just one source of income may not be enough, as also this medium is prone to periodic downturns.

On the other hand, possessing knowledge and skills in more fields also give you the opportunity to earn from multiple sources, thereby increasing your income and minimizing risks.

Even if one has a stable salaried job, he can monetize his proficiencies in other areas to supplement his income, outside of his working hours. Those who are not officially permitted to have a separate professional earning source by their employers can introduce a family member to pursue these fields.

MULTI-DISCIPLINARY SKILLS

Multi-disciplinary skills are essential for innovation and great performance because there are several synergies in different fields, and exploring areas outside of your work can throw a lot of light on how to incorporate higher optimizations in different applications.

However, it is impossible to develop diverse skills together, because of time, age and maturity. One has to learn newer subjects one after another, and this can be achieved only through continuous learning throughout life.

It is no wonder that all great achievers pursue multi-disciplinary skills through lifelong learning.

HIGHER INTELLECT & PROBLEM SOLVING

Lifelong learners gain higher intellect and wisdom because of treading through diverse areas and dealing with multiple professional teams.

As opposed to performing the same kind of work throughout life, we acquire a unique holistic vision by changing job roles, divisions and sectors from time to time. The mind evolves greatly every time we start seeing things through a new dimension, say – student, teacher, job seeker, job creator, businessman, administrator. That apart, switching organizational divisions like production, marketing, human resource, finance, IT etc in job, is a great enabler of our inter-disciplinary thinking abilities.

As a result, lifelong learners turn into good problems solvers in many aspects of work and life.

MAKES LIFE EXCITING

Most of us remain involved in the same type of work for years at a stretch, which often makes life boring, and work a burden and pain, though not a passion. The continuous learning of new things not just removes this boredom but also brings excitement, creativity and optimism to explore an unknown area and make new breakthroughs in that field.

Life can be lived to the fullest only when one pursues an enjoyable journey, bereft of a forced monotonous engagement at workplace or home, whereby natives can wholeheartedly widen their thinking and activities.

It is like changing taste with a different cuisine for every meal.

ANTI-DEPRESSANT

Lifelong learning is the best anti-depressant, without any side effects and more importantly, comes free of cost.

Yes, these individuals are always in vibrant mood, thinking of knowing the unknown, deciphering the new or moulding a creative masterpiece. That is the enthusiasm lifelong learners live with, which drives away all negative and depressive thoughts. After all, the journey ahead is far more promising and exciting than disheartening circumstances one might have encountered in the past or thoughts that haunt you for future.

WIDER CONNECTIONS

Lifelong learners because of their knowledge and skills in diverse streams form associations and wider connections with people from multiple backgrounds. Thus, getting allied to persons from all walks of life creates a camaraderie and personal touch, and these networks often come in the aid of solving many of life’s challenges and realizing opportunities through appropriate guidance.

TIME MANAGEMENT & HIGHER EFFICIENCY

Time is the most valuable resource for every individual, which most of us don’t realize and fritter away this precious opportunity. But lifelong learners understand the need for proper utilization of every hour and minute, and thereby acquire excellent time management skills with higher efficiencies in every action.

Buy Time - The Secret of Success

HIGHER PROFESSIONAL VALUE

Today, many jobs require multi-tasking and those with single domain knowledge are definitely not preferred by employers. This is where lifelong learners really score over those restricting their knowledge to a single stream. They not just clinch the jobs but also negotiate a higher pay package because of their wider abilities.

SAVES COSTS

A popular saying – “Money saved is money earned”, really holds true.

All of us have to outsource several requirements of our life to various professionals for their technical expertise, which costs substantial money. Those having knowledge and skills in diverse fields can do some of these by themselves, thereby avoiding an expensive hired hand.