From Curiosity to Mastery: What Motivates Adults to Keep Learning?

Last Wednesday, as I was driving to Seymour, IN again, a topic that I always enjoy discussing came to mind. It generally sparks my interest and curiosity... I wondered once more: what motivates adults to learn? It's clear that as children, we're driven by a curiosity that makes us want to know, understand, and connect with the world around us. But what drives us to learn when we're adults and have long surpassed that phase of basic learning?

Based on my experience in corporate classrooms (over 25 years), I can assert that there are several factors that drive adults' motivations. Some of the motivations I've observed include: the need for new skills to excel in their current jobs, a desire for self-improvement, the urge to learn things they missed out on as children, challenging limiting beliefs that have somehow become ingrained, maintaining a childlike curiosity that continually seeks more knowledge, an addiction to courses and various trainings, the perception that knowledge confers status, or the need to be on the "cutting edge" and know the latest available in the market. Some people want to stay ahead of the curve, knowing what those at the forefront of knowledge are discussing, the topics that make us different and sometimes transport us to the future... I see myself in this last group. I love knowing what those who are creating new tools and knowledge trends are talking about, even if it won't gain widespread acceptance for another ten years.

But I believe the crux of the matter is that as adults, we start losing the fear of ridicule, of what others might think. We forget about the prejudices others might have about us. We begin to fear mistakes less, and what used to embarrass us no longer fazes us... So, many of us choose to put ourselves in a more open and vulnerable position to allow learning to happen. We understand that knowledge stays with us, regardless of whether we score a 1 or a 10 (A or F) on the final exam. We finally grasp what it means to capitalize on learning. We no longer study because it's mandatory; we do it by choice. And wherever there is choice, there is freedom, and wherever there is freedom, there is expansion and growth.

Tell me, what is your motivation to learn? It's great that we can learn together with this article as a starting point: I look forward to your thoughts...

Dara Bidwell, SHRM-CP Human Soul People and Process Partners