Don’t Get Stale: Be a Lifelong Learner

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”

― Henry Ford

You’re only as old as you feel, so they say. As Henry Ford knew well, that also applies to your mind. Constantly striving to challenge your brain has many dividends.

Many people don’t believe in learning for the sake of learning. You should be able to immediately apply anything you learn; otherwise your time could be spent more productively, they argue.

While it’s true that you do want to efficiently use the time you have, not all learning has an immediate application. We live in a quickly changing world— some would even call it a ‘learning economy’.

Industries where you can maintain a fairly static set of skills throughout your career are disappearing fast. You may change jobs several times during your lifetime, and knowledge that seemed fairly useless at the time may be critical for you down the road. Where can you learn some of these handy long-term skills? Here’s a list to get you started.

Have you ever seen people who are in their eighties or nineties and are not only robust, but still mentally sharp? It’s more than just good luck and healthy living. Your brain is a muscle too, and using it even when you’re older can keep it in prime condition. Research has shown that seniors engaged in learning activities report better mental acuity and focus. You don’t need to pay to attend class either. There are some great online learning resources available for little or no cost at Open Culture and Lynda. Here’s a list of some other sites that also offer diverse programs.

Are you a people person? Well, unless your career plans include a stint as a hermit atop a lonely mountain, the answer had better be ‘yes’.

Much of our success in life will depend on how we handle dealing with other people. How do we learn the things we need to know in life? Some of that learning will undoubtedly come from formal schooling and books, but a surprisingly high percentage comes from watching and listening. The world is a huge classroom. Learning sparks social engagement. The more we learn, the better we’re able to engage our world, and the better outcomes we get from that engagement.

Looking for ways to better interact with your world? Toastmasters International can not only give you a chance to interact with your peers, but help you hone your speaking and presentation skills.

You’re only as old as you feel, so don’t get stale. Keep your mind and your attitude young with a commitment to a lifetime of learning.