Lifelong learning is a powerful way to invest in yourself and gain practical skills that will benefit you throughout your life. Whether you’re looking to develop a new skill or simply brush up on an existing one, there are plenty of opportunities to gain valuable knowledge and experience. In this blog post, we’ll explore the less academic side of lifelong learning and how you can get started.
Lifelong learning can do more than just help you ace your exams – it can also give you some seriously useful skills! You might not think of it in those terms, but if you’re open to learning throughout your life, you’ll find yourself picking up all sorts of useful abilities.
It’s not just about studying the same old topics. You can get creative and learn practical skills that blend academic knowledge with real-world application. Think professional writing, personal finance, and even tax preparation. These are examples of crossover topics that span more than one type of learning.
You can also stick to learning purely practical skills. Whether it’s baking, woodworking, or sewing, quite literally anything you care to learn that can be put to some form of use can count as a lifelong learning activity.
Do you ever wish you had the skills to do your own home maintenance instead of calling in a professional for every little thing? My hubby learned plumbing many years ago. He doesn’t have the specialist tools to be able to carry out our repairs but he can speak “plumbing language” to whoever we call in. That usually leads to better service and smaller bills for us. Maybe you want to learn how to repair your car, sew a seam, or upcycle furniture. These are all useful skills that you can learn and use throughout your life.
Perhaps your interests lie elsewhere. Why not try your hand at cooking or baking like the pros? Not only is it a practical skill, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Or, if you’re looking for something a little more green, why not give gardening a go? Growing your own veggies and flowers is a great way to learn something new and add a bit of colour to your life!
Learning emergency first aid counts as gaining a practical skill. I renew my learning on this every three years but I also usually find myself sharing some of that learning with friends and family. Who knows when I might need them to provide first aid to me!
And don’t forget about teaching others – mastering the art of teaching is a practical skill in itself.
How do you gain these practical skills? It doesn’t have to be hard. You can learn a lot on your own from books and instructional videos. But if you want to take it a step further, check out classes at your local college or library. It’s a great way to pick up some new abilities.
Some skills have local groups that would be happy to have you join and teach you the skills required. My hubby has just learned kayaking through our local group. Others have associations or skills instructors you can hire. You can even ask a friend to teach you.
Learning new skills can be incredibly rewarding and beneficial. It can help you reduce your bills and give you the confidence to take on new challenges. Investing in yourself through lifelong learning is an investment that will pay off in the long run. So why not take the plunge and start learning something new today? You never know where it might lead.