How To Be A LifeLong Learner

Everybody talks about being a lifelong learner but rarely do they tell us how. Here are 4 things you can do to spark your learning neurons.

1. Be More Aware

When you fall into a routine of waking up, getting ready, driving to work, doing your job, going home and going to bed, you miss out a lot on the small details that pass you by.

Pay attention to the things around you as you go about your day. Try and brush your teeth with the opposite hand. Listen to a different radio station. Notice the people along the way that you never noticed before. Talk to them.

This creates an awareness that opens up possibilities in your mind and widens your range of learning new things. In many cases, they aren't even new. You just weren't paying attention to them.

2. Be More Curious

When you become interested in something, ask powerful questions about them:

• What is it? Understand its definition, know its examples and don't fall into its definition.
• What does it look like? What is its physical or conceptual structure? What are its different parts? How do the different parts relate to each other?
• How does it work? Is there a sequence or a what is the process of it happening?
• How do I it? What can I do to apply it for myself?

3. Be More Corrective

Instead of just learning from the outside, ask yourself if what you thought to be true is still true?

As children we probably learned that the Great Wall of China can be seen from space. Or that different parts of the tongue are for different tastes. Or that humans have left brain vs right brain dominance. Unfortunately none of these are true.

Have fun relearning and revalidating.

4. Be More Experimental

Learn a new skill that you never thought you would try or enjoy. Be willing to explore new practices and approaches. If you're scared to go it alone, ask a friend who has a lot experience in it and have them guide you.

In fact, sometimes all you have to do is ask a friend what their hobby is and ask them why they love it so much. Their passion for it can infect you and give you new areas to explore.

Have fun and may you learn for life!