Learning is about reaching your full potential as an individual. It is nourishment for the mind, body and soul and it’s all around us. Continuous learning is part of life’s journey and is key to personal development and growth. By welcoming it with an open mind, you can ensure you embrace every opportunity to learn. As an adult, you need to be proactive to keep your fire for learning alight. Start today with these 7 simple ways to continue learning as an adult.
1. Think like a lifelong learner
Every failure is an opportunity to learn. Get into the positive mindset of a lifelong learner by regularly asking yourself ‘What can I learn from this?’. Research personal development podcast or YouTube series that focuses on enriching your personal journey and explores how you can tap into your inner strength. The 80/20 principle we use at Co-Creation focuses 80% of your development time advancing your strengths and only 20% on areas to improve. By focusing on and unlocking your strengths you will become a better learner and improve your overall wellbeing.
What is that one thing that you’ve always wanted to learn?
2. Seek out a coach or mentor
Finding the right coach or mentor creates a unique relationship that can last a lifetime and be fortuitous when you least expect it. Find someone who excels in their field and learn from them. Observe them, offer your opinion, and listen to what they have to say. A coach will encourage and empower your personal development as well as your career goals. They will enable you to take on more demanding projects, remove barriers, and build a solid foundation of knowledge and experience.
You can find out about our coaching programmes here.
3. Make it a habit (and make it fun)
Day to day life tends to get in the way of…a lot of things. So, make learning a habit. If you do something regularly it becomes second nature. You can try out different things to find what works. Listen to 30 minutes of a podcast each morning, read one journal article at lunch, or begin your workday with a quick scan of LinkedIn. Learn about something you enjoy. Start with a simple idea that you can easily integrate into daily life and soon learning each day will become a habit.
Which positive habits are you thinking of introducing?
4. Read every day
Reading is a great way to expand your knowledge. We are Teachers reported that reading for just 6 minutes a day can reduce stress by 68%. Start with a few pages per day then build up to a chapter or two. There’s so much available to read online for free. You can learn so much by immersing yourself into subject-specific journals and blogs and as well as embracing differing ideas and opinions.
Which areas would you like to build your knowledge?
5. Discover your learning style
Everyone learns differently. That’s why we use a range of development models to find out how to help you achieve your goals. For some, the 70/20/10 model works best as it focuses on 10% classroom learning, 20% peer learning and 70% on the job training. For others, our Strengthscope™ programme is designed to give true clarity for teams, individuals, and organisations. The features allow you to identify your strengths and understand how to expand them, taking you from good to great.
What would you identify as your primary personal strength?
6. Keep up to date
Keeping up to date trends and developments in your field is key for continuous learning. You can do this by actively choosing what news you consume and when. Relevant newsletters from reputable sources send useful information right to your inbox, and online courses are also a great way to keep updated as they are interactive and easily accessible.
How do you like to stay in touch with what’s happening in the world?
7. Embrace the words ‘I don’t know’
When someone asks you a question and you’re not sure of the answer, what do you do? Rather than sidestepping, take the reins and grasp the opportunity to find the answer to the question. Not only have you expanded your knowledge, but you’ll have the answer in the bank for next time. Try pausing and taking the time to ask yourself, ‘How can I gain knowledge from this experience?
How do you incorporate lifelong learning into your daily life? Let us know by getting in touch and we’ll share it with the Co-Creation community.
Call Co-Creation on +44 7876 024555 to speak with a member of our specialist team or email us for further guidance on how to manage change using a strengths-based approach on info@co-creation.group