#MiddleburyCT
Insights for constructive living
By PAT IANNUZZI
Learning, the process of gaining new knowledge and skills, is a natural and normal feature of being human. We all generally go through a formal learning process during our youth that is intended to prepare us to live and function successfully as adults. Many of us also have pursued additional specialized learning during our adult lives in order to gain, maintain and expand expertise to carry out specific career and social roles. We can categorize this type of learning as need-to-know learning. But except for the continual education that takes place automatically all the time – every day we learn something new simply through our life experiences – this is where structured, intentional learning often stops for many of us.
Clearly, need-to-know learning is important for success and happiness, but there is another whole world of learning out there that can significantly contribute to our overall sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, and that is – for the sake of a better term – nice-to-know learning. Nice-to-know learning is about accumulating knowledge that is generally outside the realm of that necessary to effectively perform one’s daily career functions, although it can be related.
Such subjects are virtually unlimited. Learning to play a musical instrument, becoming proficient in another language, becoming expert in a particular period or person in history, taking up writing, advocating for a favorite cause, preparing for an alternate career, learning a trade and traveling are just a minute few of the forms that nice-to-know learning can take, and regularly participating in it is what makes a true lifelong learner. The process of learning can look different to everyone. What is important is that it is something you find useful, interesting, meaningful and enjoyable.
The benefits of lifelong learning are enormous. At its core, lifelong learning can add meaning and purpose to our lives. The more of our potential we realize, the more fulfilled we become. When we broaden our perspective, we begin to appreciate that there’s so much more to learn about the world than we ever imagined. Learning new things not only makes our brains sharper but also generates a sense of personal accomplishment leading to increased confidence and self-esteem. People engaged in learning often report feeling better about themselves and demonstrate a greater ability to cope with stress. When we dedicate time to voluntarily engage in learning opportunities, our mental health can flourish.
Research has shown that people are more likely to find connections with others when they share similar interests. Engaging in lifelong learning can open up opportunities to develop new relationships with other like-minded learners, or to nurture existing connections by sharing or exchanging knowledge. We all like to sound interesting and informed in our interactions with others, and lifelong learning can help give us the tools to become appealing conversationalists.
Five years from now, most of us will be the same person, only five years older. And that may be fine for some. But those of us who pursue lifelong learning will be better. We won’t necessarily have the same habits of thinking, the same awareness of the world around us or the same level of knowledge and skills. We won’t be struggling with the same issues and will likely be experiencing improved outcomes compared to where we are now.
Lifelong learning does take time and effort, however, but consider the time and effort you are probably currently wasting on other much less important activities (you know what they are). Lifelong learning is worth it. Three or four hours week will do it. Become a true lifelong learner and get more out of life.
Pat Iannuzzi of Symbiotic Performance Group, Inc. is a performance consultant, trainer and coach focusing on selling, presentation and interpersonal skills. He lives in Litchfield and can be reached at 860-283-9963 or piannuzzi@symbiontnet.com.
