Many of us young professionals feel quite satisfied with our level of education, job training, acquired skills, and special talents. We figure that since we are now “professionals,” we have moved past the learning chapter of our lives. Overlooking the benefits of lifelong learning, however, can cause us a great disservice. Whether through continuing education or learning a new language, instrument, sport, etc., always working to grow our skill set and keep our minds active is crucial for both personal and professional development – as well as for the betterment of our world.
Discover, develop new skills, joys
You may identify yourself as a marketing exec, small business owner, teacher, engineer etc., but you are much more than that. Lifelong learning creates the opportunity to develop natural skills that we may not have even tapped into yet. Additionally, learning something new can help develop new interest in things we may have never imagined enjoying or being good at. You may be a talented woodworker, philosopher, wordsmith, or chef deep inside. You may love mountain climbing, home design, horticulture, or history and not even know it. Taking time out of our usual YP routines to learn something new benefits our minds, introduces us to different types of people, and increases our enjoyment of daily life. It has also been found that the more we engage in learning, the hungrier we get for even more new knowledge, skills, and interests.
It’s hot
As a young professional, having an ever-evolving body of knowledge regarding not only your business but of other, outside areas as well makes you much more valuable to employers, as well as attractive to potential mates. Demonstrating an ability to learn something new and to grow new interests (particularly as an adult) shows both intelligence and passion. Being content may feel good in the moment, but in the world of young professionals, getting stuck on satisfied can land you at the back of the pack. Raise your stock, your self-confidence, and your happiness by investing in new knowledge and skills.
Work it out
We care about our health, our bodies, and work hard to stay in shape. We know that changing up our workout regime and mixing in different types of exercises helps to challenge our bodies and keep us interested. Our minds need the same type of program. You may believe that your job is challenging enough, that your brain gets an adequate workout from your usual daily tasks, but like the body, the mind also has muscle memory. If your job utilizes mainly the left side of the brain, for example, trying mixing some creativity into your spare time like a poetry workshop, art course, or music jam sessions. Alternatively, if you work in the creative field, keep that whole mind stimulated with some left-brain action like learning how to create a web page, to speak another language, or to play chess. Changing it up and engaging the lesser-used areas of our brains will keep the mind sharp and further enrich those abilities we already have.
Good for you, good for the world!
Finally, continuing educating, in its many forms, helps to conquer ignorance and grow greater understanding of the way the world works, which may be the most significant feature of lifelong learning. The more we engage in different forms of learning, the more knowledge we gain about the world, about others, and about ourselves. This knowledge leads to better understanding of different ways of thinking, doing, and being. As young professionals, we really are “the future,” and so as we march ahead becoming powerful leaders and important decision makers, let’s do so with as much knowledge and understanding as we can… because the world can always use more of that.
For a past article on one Notable university that is helping young professionals conveniently fit the benefits of lifelong learning in to their busy lives, see here.
