What is Lifelong Learning?
Lifelong learning is self-motivated and deliberate. It includes formal and informal training. It is the knowledge gained throughout a lifetime that can benefit you mentally, physically, and financially.
Human beings are constantly learning about themselves and the world around them. It’s a lifelong process. Fully embracing lifelong learning yields many positive results. This article will show you how lifelong learning can help you live a more rewarding life.
Lifelong Learning Overview
Lifelong learning can happen inside or outside formal education. It happens in a learning environment such as a classroom or online school course. But it also happens by choice, not by assignment. You can choose what you want to learn about on a personal level. It can be voluntary and informal.
You choose what and when to study. You can base your choices on activities and skills that you want to learn. It’s self-initiated.
You become self-motivated. You deliberately seek out experiences and set goals for yourself.
It’s ongoing. It can be part of a work environment such as corporate training or continuing education dictated by your career.
CLASSROOM LEARNING
Lifetime learning can take place in a college lecture hall, at work as on-the-job training, or while you engage in activities at home.
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING
Personal development results from gaining knowledge and skills that you develop throughout your life. You then use those skills to advance in your job, toward a degree, or personal abilities you use in activities such as gardening.
Continuously learning new skills focuses your mind on personal development as you gain knowledge and skills throughout your life.
HOBBIES & ACTIVITIES: GARDENING
Whatever your age, you’re never too old to learn something new. And it can be rewarding to pass that knowledge down to generations that follow, children and grandchildren.
Learning just for the sake of learning can have its own rewards especially if it’s something you really enjoy. And it can help you understand nature and the world around you.
Benefits of Lifelong Learning
Employability and Promotion
Earn More Money
Improve Economic Opportunities
Gain a New Qualification
Increase Job Success
Increase Competitiveness
Achieve Professional Satisfaction
Increase Employability
Become Invaluable
Improve Leadership Skills
Able to Re-Invent Oneself
Increase Your Options
For Companies — Improve Development, Deployment, and Retention
Self-Improvement
Mental Stimulation
Personal Satisfaction and Fulfillment
Improve Quality of Life
Increase Overall Wellbeing
Be Well-Balanced
Transferable Skills
Become an Expert
Re-Ignite Joy
Develop Adaptability
Have an Open Mind
Increase Creativity
Sharpen Your Mind
Reduce Boredom
Increase Personal Growth
Increase Self-Confidence & Self-Worth
Opens Future Opportunities
Build Valuable Skills
Positive Effects on Emotional and Mental Health
Contribution to the Community and Society
Become an Engaged Citizen
Enhance Social Inclusion
Make Valuable Contributions
Increase Volunteerism
Develop Interpersonal Skills
Expand Local Talent Pool
Positive Impact on Society
Improve Awareness of World Events
Meet New Friends with Common Interests
Feel More Connected to Your Community
Getting motivated
Humans are natural learners and have a natural curiosity. Learning is unavoidable and happens all the time.
As infants, you learned about the world around you. The places, the people, the language. You were constantly learning. And it didn’t stop.
Once you entered school, learning became more formal, more directed. But outside the classroom, you were able to play to your heart’s content, to form friendships, to learn about your likes and dislikes.
You discovered hobbies and games that you enjoyed. You learned about yourself. Learning is unavoidable
Increase your comfort zone.
As you grew older, you began to develop a comfortable way of doing things. And maybe you forgot about the things that used to bring you joy. After all, with bills to pay, a job to go to, and a family to take care of, it’s natural to get into a particular groove, a routine that makes it easier for you to accomplish your daily list of responsibilities.
Your comfort zone is your happy place.
Comfort zones minimize the stress, risk, and anxiety you feel when trying something new. It’s the routine habits you engage in throughout the day. From your favorite cup of coffee in the morning to your bedtime routine.
But stepping out of your comfort zone may be just the thing you need. It only takes motivation. And challenging yourself can have marvelous results.
27 Ways to Motivate Yourself
When you start setting deadlines and expectations in order to reach goals, it may encourage you to change your routines and increase productivity. Urgency and uneasiness can be motivating.
Staying in your comfort zone makes it easier for you to avoid doing something new. But each time you step out of your comfort zone, it gets easier.
Start small with just a tiny change in routine. Something new on the breakfast or dinner menu, a different route to work, a different genre of music.
Breaking out of your comfort zone can take courage. So it’s okay to go slow, one small step at a time. Once you start, momentum will push you forward.
New experiences allow you to learn new skills and cultivate new ideas that inspire and educate.
You can stretch your personal boundaries by connecting to people you admire and who inspire you. By traveling near or far. Push yourself beyond your normal limits.
Make small steps, not to stress yourself out, but to see what you are capable of. A project that seems too big may cause you to procrastinate and put it off for a later day or time.
DO WHAT YOU LOVE
Look for activities that motivate you. Is there something you’ve been putting off? Something that you know you’d enjoy doing? Something you’d enjoy doing even if there was no chance you’d get paid for doing it?
Do you lose track of time when you engage in some activities? That may be a sign you’ve found something that motivates you.
Learn to recognize your personal interests and goals.
Why not take a moment and look for some of that forgotten joy. You are a lifelong learner. Reading a book, watching the news, researching a new vacation spot.
You pick up on new ideas and start to think about learning some of the things you’ve been putting off; learning which Apps you should download; searching the internet for a new recipe. Or reconnecting with a friend or family member on Facebook.
And in this age and time, learning how to Zoom or take that meeting or getting the kids connected (or more likely having the kids show you how to get connected) is important.
If you’re working lots of hours, you may feel like there’s no extra time to learn about the trip you want to take or the DIY project on your to-do list.
Motivation causes you to take action.
You don’t have to look far to find your passion. It’s the thing you think about all the time. The thing you can’t shut up about when talking to your family or friends. Whether it’s a new food you discovered or an engine you’re rebuilding, or sports, an activity, or exercise routine. Identify those hobbies or projects.
There are probably already many things you enjoy doing. Don’t ignore them.
Goal-setting
Challenge yourself with specific goals.
Base goals on your current stage of life and/or career. What type of information do you need? Make a list of the things you’d like to learn or be able to do. Then prioritize.
Set aside time for learning.
Make a commitment to incorporate lifelong learning into your life. Be able to adapt and evolve. Use a combination of methods. Have a positive attitude toward learning. If you’re trying out new activities and it doesn’t work out or you find you’re not as interested in it as you thought you would be, it’s okay to pivot and change. See yourself as a work in progress.
Have a positive attitude toward learning. Set a goal. And make the time.
What are smart goals?
Goals need to be specific. Just saying that you want to do “more” is not enough. That’s too vague. You have to be able to track your goals and quantify them so that you’ll know if and when you’ve achieved success.
SMART is a goal-setting system that provides structure and allows you to properly focus on your goals and actually attain them. There are five elements. Goals must be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.
SMART Goals are:
SPECIFIC - Clear, Precise
MEASURABLE - Trackable
ATTAINABLE - Simple, Realistic
RELEVANT - Appropriate, Beneficial
TIME-BOUND - Deadline
Being able to track your goals is a great way to stay motivated. And making plans gives you time to think about your strengths and interests and to build upon them.
SMART GOALS WORKSHEET
What are the things you like about your job? What makes your career or job meaningful to you? Is it the people you interact with? Are you a people person? Or is it the detailed work you enjoy, the steady routines, designing tasks?
Make plans that help build upon your strengths and interests. Clearer goals equal greater success.
The process can be simple. No need to overcomplicate it. Having clear goals allows you to move forward with less distraction, make progress and reach your desired destination. That’s why goal setting is important.
Free Online Classes
What Is a MOOC?
With just a computer and Internet connection, students can access high-quality educational courses without paying tuition or committing to a college program.
A MOOC or massive open online course provides educational lessons to any person, any age, at any time. There is no limit on the number of people who can enroll, and many sites are absolutely free.
Millions of people have enrolled in MOOCs. They are a flexible way to learn job skills, prepare for college, or gain lifelong learning skills.
Following is a list of free courses available online:
Coursera — Provides online learning to individuals and organizations through partnerships with more than 200 universities and companies.
Open Culture Online Courses — Delivers free high-quality educational programming for students worldwide. Open Culture seeks to centralize available content so that learners can find educational resources in one central location. Content includes 1,700 free university courses and over 1,000 free audiobooks.
Alison — Free education that has served over 20 million learners in 195 countries since 2007. Alison believes that education and skills training can change lives. Available courses include academics, personal development, language skills, and business. Lessons are free, but certificates and diplomas are available to graduates for a fee.
Netflix Education Documentaries — A selection of documentary features and series are available on Netflix’s YouTube channel. (Educators and parents should review ratings in order to make informed choices.) Netflix Educational Resources for Teachers — Supplemental discussion questions designed to help engage students.
Udemy Free Courses — Udemy’s mission is to improve lives through learning. These free courses are designed to help learners improve their lives whether they are seeking a new career or a passion for lifelong learning.
TEDEd — TED believes that ideas can change the world. In 2012 it launched TEDEd in order to support teachers and ignite curiosity in students around the world.
Memrise — The fastest way to learn a language.
National Geographic Kids — Free online education for young children. The site provides child-friendly courses, games, videos, and photos that educate and entertain young learners.
Funbrain — Free online educational games and puzzles that help children remain enthusiastic about learning. Funbrain focuses on grades kindergarten through eighth and provides hundreds of lessons that help children develop reading, literacy, math, and problem-solving skills.
Khan Academy — Helps learners from K-12 to adults. Students can study at their own pace and master skills while gaining a strong foundation in math, science, history, and many other subjects. Khan Academy also provides standardized test preparations for SAT and LSAT.
Codecademy — Learn computer coding. Codeacademy uses interactive lessons to teach students how to code. The training techniques are engaging and flexible. Students are enabled to learn and grow and create meaningful technology that can impact the world.
Lifelong Learning activities
Whether you are looking for new lifelong learning skills or wanting to revisit old projects, why not start today!
Look over these 70 Activities to Explore. Note the ones you find interesting and set aside time to learn more about them.
There’s a free download available. Print it and check off the items that interest you.
ACTIVITIES TO EXPLORE ONLINE
The 70 Activities to Explore list gives you a lot of items to consider. Here are some of the websites and videos you can use to begin your journey.
GAMES
CRAFTS
ACTIVITIES
EDUCATIONAL
Motley Fool: How to Invest — Online Investment Guide
Investments for Beginners — NerdWallet’s Online Guide
Lilly Singh’S
HOW TO make A VISION BOARD
Visit these web pages for more insight on how to create a vision board and why you need one:
CLARK KEGLEY’S
HOW TO MAKE A VISION BOARD (COMPUTER METHOD)
HOBBIES THAT MAKE MONEY
If you have an interest that you love, why not get paid to do what you love? Why not turn that hobby into a business.
It won’t be easy. It will take time to learn the business angle of the hobby you love and are skilled at doing. But your hard work and determination will pay off.
Do you have many hobbies and you’re not sure which hobby is that best to take on as a business? Not sure if the one hobby you love is the right one?
Here are some ideas that may inspire you and help you choose the best business concept so you can start getting paid for doing what you love.
10 Money-Making Hobbies to Consider
If you have a green thumb and enjoy working outdoors, why not put your hobby to work? Start with your local area. Many people don’t have time for yard work but want their lawns to look great.
If you like to draw for fun, try your hand at selling your creations online.
Printables and worksheets are easy to make and inexpensive. There are many types to choose from — calendars, checklists, coloring pages, and more. You make it and the customer merely has to download and print it.
Many people are too busy to make a homemade meal. But a great cook or experienced chef can use this opportunity to make money and help families get a great, homecooked meal. It’s also an excellent chance for an enterprising person to teach others to cook.
Many businesses need websites but don’t have the time or know-how to get them done. If you’re creative and have the technical skills or are willing to learn, this may be an excellent business for you. You can create websites for yourself or others.
Photographers are needed to capture the moment — family portraits, grad or wedding photos, and many other special occasions.
Many people enjoy sending and receiving beautiful greeting cards. If you have the ability and craftiness along with writing skills, you may want to try this business niche.
For most businesses just having a website is not enough to draw customers in. It takes coordinated efforts with mediums such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube. The list goes on. If you are interested in filling that position, you could be in high demand.
Do you have carpentry skills and enjoy creating beautiful pieces? Do you find building furniture fun and relaxing? Do people see your beautiful creations and ask if they’re for sale? Then you may want to think about turning your hobby into this money-making adventure.
Platforms and websites are available that will help you generate a design, then give you an online marketplace where you can sell your designs. Not just shirts, but caps, backpacks, mugs, cell phone cases, and more.
Hard work paid off for Benny Hsu (pronounced Shoe). Read his success story: How I Profited $100,000 on Teespring in Just 5 Months.
40 Top Hobbies That Make Money — Website
50 Money-Making Crafts You Can Easily Do At Home — Website
48 Side Hustle Ideas to Get You Started by Chris Guillebeau — Free eBook
19 Surprising Hobbies That Make Money Fast — Website
99 Side Hustle Business Ideas You Can Start Today — Free Guidebook
HOW TO START A Business: CANDLE-Making
If you want to turn your hobby into a part-time or full-time business, there are many steps you need to take to get there. Everyone who has started a successful business has a different story to tell.
Your story will be unique. Yet many of the steps will be familiar and time-honored. No matter the business you choose, you will have to go from idea to plan to fruition. You will need supplies. You will have to budget and consider sales and marketing.
Even if you can not see yourself as a candle or jewelry maker, there are still lessons to be learned from these business models that can help you in whatever business you choose to pursue.
Learn from the following examples and let them motivate you as you start your business adventure.
SUCCESS STORY: BRANDON BECHTEL
Brandon Bechtel’s Website: BrandonsCandles.com
HOW MUCH DOES A CANDLE BUSINESS COST? — Free Budget Spreadsheet by Tiana Coates
Start a Candle Business by Tiana Coates — Free Guidebook
Tiana Coates’s Website: WindingWick.com
Candle Making – A Guide For Beginners by Angela Willis — Free Guide
The Complete Guide to Candle Making with Soy Wax and Essential Oils by Anna Sakawsky — Free Guide
Candle Making Business Hacks by Sandra Taylor — Free eBook
How To Start A Candle Business: The 84 Candle Rule — Website
Candle Science: Starting Your Own Candle Making Business — Website
HOW TO START A BUSINESS: JEWELRY MAKING
After watching the video How to Start a Jewelry Business, take a look at the jewelry business guide on Shopify — How to Start a Jewelry Making Business: The Ultimate Guide by Dayna Winter.
Her example and others help explain the path from hobby to business; a venture that could provide extra cash and eventually a full-time wage if that is your goal.
Consider your investment costs, financial as well as time. Start small, until you have a better idea of the details involved.
Lifelong learning is rewarding.
Or you may want to keep your hobby as something you do just for you, for fun and relaxation. Either way, it is part of lifelong learning. You are never too old to take up a new hobby or to learn something new.
Explore the free courses available online, anywhere, any time, at your convenience — right from home. Explore a new activity or delve deeper into a current project.
Lifelong learning is not a destination. It’s a journey. Enjoy!
READ more ABOUT IT
learn more ABOUT IT
50 Free Online Resources for Self-Motivated Learners, By Adnan Manzoor
How To Start A Candle Business + How Much It Really Costs by Kyonne Smith
STEP BY STEP: How I Make My Soy Candles For My Business
What I Wish I Knew Before I Started My Candle Business
MAKE CANDLES WITH ME (Podcast Style) Ep. #1 Preparing For The Grand Opening Of My Own Website!
A Fun, Easy Way to Learn to Draw in One Month or Less