Seven Traits to Being a Lifelong Learner

Humans are amazing – and one of the reasons is our ability to learn. In truth, we are learning machines! Yet many/most fail to capitalize on this innate ability and use it to our advantage (or do it often enough). Overcoming this tendency is often framed as being a lifelong learner. In my experience, most think it’s a good idea, but don’t have the foggiest notion of how to do it.

Before we talk about how, a quick thought about why.

Why does being a lifelong learner matter so much?

Unfortunately, too many associate learning too closely with school. If your school experiences weren’t great or seemed irrelevant, it would be easy to dismiss the idea of lifelong learning. But when we decouple learning from school, the value becomes obvious. When we continue to learn we:

• Improve in areas that matter to us.

• Minimize repeated mistakes.

• Reduce embarrassment.

• Increase the enjoyment in our lives.

• Make life easier.

I could go on. But if we just went with the last one, it would be reason enough, don’t you think?

It's not the why - it's the how

The problem isn’t the desire, but rather this conundrum: Being a lifelong learner is a great idea. But how do I do that with everything else on my plate, all my to-dos, responsibilities, and more?

Before we tackle that question, let me reframe it slightly: How can I continually learn and grow every day to help me be more engaged, effective, and happier? Whichever way you prefer the question, let’s tackle it now…

1. Be clear on your purpose/goal

2. Be more curious

3. Ask (more) questions

4. Be more reflective

5. Use a learning lens

6. Ask for feedback

7. Try stuff

I have just given you seven ideas, but I could have given you 77. But they are mostly incorporating learning into what we already do, not adding more tasks to our already crowded calendar. Starting with that realization makes the goal of becoming a continual, lifelong learner a lot easier to reach.

Where will you start?

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