In September, we discussed the power of lifelong learning … but what does that really mean? Whether you’re a young professional just getting started on your career or you have been in the trenches for 40 years, it’s vital to be an ever-evolving organism.

Lifelong learning is defined as the continuing pursuit of knowledge to build skills, explore new ideas, enhance understanding, and enrich life. We already know the power and importance of “cultivating a growth mindset” but how can you water the plant to help it grow?

• Read outside of your comfort zone. If you aren’t already reading, simply start. Try out different genres and mix up the flow a little bit, dabbling in the opposite of what you normally reach for. Reading across genres is a good way to challenge yourself and leads to new perspectives that enrich your own growth. Check out our previous blog post for more details on the benefits of reading!
• Unplug and engage with a game. Try turning off the streaming service and entertaining yourself with problem-solving activities like brain teasers, puzzles, or board games. Feed your brain a different flavor of entertainment. Mixing it up will help keep your brain sharp, making it easier to continue learning down the road.
• Reclaim your student status. If you can, go back to “school” and collect certifications like infinity stones. Taking a single class or utilizing company training courses to learn more about your field is a great way to pursue new knowledge and skills. Technology is always advancing, but that shouldn’t stop us from striving to be experts.
• Be a part of a community outside yourself. Join a work club or sports team, get involved in activities and events, and give back to your community through volunteering. You’ll meet people you never would have interacted with before, and their stories just may surprise and inspire you.
• Take “no” out of your vocabulary. Start saying “Yes!” to new experiences, whether that’s at home or at work. Jump onto that new project that seems daunting or go to dinner with that group of people who are a little different from you. You don’t have to be enthusiastic right away, but by the end, you might find it was worth it after all.
• Listen up. I know – we all have a story to tell, but instead of sharing your side first, listen to others when they speak up. The simple act of listening well is the magic food to growing a lifelong learning mindset, especially when faced with an idea you might disagree with.

By practicing even just a few of these, your chances of surviving increases. So, when the meteors of change hit (and they will), don’t be stuck in the past. Use your methods of lifelong learning to thrive in a new world. Be an agile bird, not a lumbering dinosaur.

Ready to put your newfound lifelong learning skills into practice? Browse current opportunities with Reynolds.