
Want to Be A Lifelong Learner? Here's How to Get Started by Julie
Morris at juliemorris.org
Learning new ideas over a lifetime is a great way to increase social, emotional,and physical well being.(https://hbr.org/2017/02/lifelong-learning-is-good-for-your-health-your-wallet-and-your-social-life).The benefits of lifelong learning include increased self-confidence,acquisition of practical skills,opportunities for social interaction, and of course, fun! With just a bit of intellectual curiosity, lifelong learning can be incredibly simple (https://www.teachthought.com/learning/10-simple-ways-to-engage-in-lifelonglearning/).Keep reading to learn some great tips and tricks for lifelong learning. Make a List If you want to make your dream of lifelong learning a reality, start by making a list of topics that spark your interest.You may already have a handful of interests ready to be jotted down.If not,check out some online hobby lists for a few creative ideas.To get a little bit of inspiration,you could read lists like "Top 75 Manly Hobbies For Men"(http://nextluxury.com/mens-lifestyle-advice/top-75-best-manly-hobbies-for-men/) or "50 Cheap Activities For Adults And Kids" (https://moneysmartfamily.com/blog/inexpensive-hobbies fun/).Spend a few minutes each day researching potential hobbies or areas of interest and begin to imagine immersing yourself in them.
Learn Online Lifelong learning has so many recognized benefits that entire
industries have responded to our thirst for knowledge. Companies like Lynda (https://www.lynda.com/aboutus/),
The Great Courses, Audible, Khan Academy, and Coursera are just a few of the
available ways to learn online. Additionally, many universities and colleges
also have distance education opportunities that allow people to study wherever
and whenever they want. Get Connected If you prefer to learn in-person rather than online, consider
taking some extension classes at your local community college or volunteering
at a charity. Connecting with people who have similar interests will expand
your social network as well as encourage continuous learning. The people you
meet will be sure to challenge your learning and facilitate socialization. While the aforementioned tips might seem great, you may still be
wondering what topic/activity is right for you. Below are three ideas to get
you started. Love Dogs? If you have the time and energy and are willing to make a long-term commitment, consider adopting a dog as a way to learn new dog-training skills (https://www.rover.com/blog/important-dog-training-skills/).You could also visit your
local dog park to meet new people, volunteer at a local animal shelter, or
watch online training videos. Amaze your friends and family with how quickly
you can teach your dog (or four-legged walking partner) to obey. Useful in so
many situations, "sit" is often the first command dogs learn. In fact, most
dogs "sit" on their own, so all you have to do is connect the command to the
behavior. Once the "sit" command is mastered, there are so many more tricks to
learn and then teach to your canine companion. Crazy About Crafts? Pinterest is the place
to get great crafty ideas (https://www.pinterest.ph/categories/diy_crafts/).If you've read or heard about
an interesting craft or craft technique and not sure how to go about it, you
can look for how-to videos on YouTube. From ceramics to wood and everything in
between, there's something to learn if you are interested in knowing more about
a particular topic. Food Fanatic? If being an amateur foodie is something you are interested in,
start by following a few food blogs (https://www.themuse.com/advice/25-food-bloggers-we-love-and-their-25-best-recipes).Whether y ou like to cook, bake, or
preserve food, there's a blog out there to help you learn. Because cooking is a
hands-on activity, you might consider corresponding with other foodies by way
of classes or food expos. If you are a cooking novice, there are numerous
online forums, videos, and articles available to teach you the A-Zs of
cooking.
Lifelong learning
doesn't have to be an arduous process; rather, lifelong learning should be a
path of discovery, fulfillment, and achievement. No matter how you learn, there
is a resource out there to help make your dreams a reality. Now,go out there
and explore!
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