15 Ways To Become A Lifelong Learner

You know, we constantly talk about the importance of being a lifelong learner. And in this video, we're going to show you exactly how to do just that. By the end of this video, you'll have a clear and straightforward list to make sure you don't get left behind.

Welcome to Alux! Becoming a lifelong learner can start with something as simple as making a list of books you want to read this year. Think of it like your personal learning journey mapped out in books. First, decide what topics you're curious about or what skills you want to get better at. Once you know what you're interested in, find books that are highly recommended.

Find a spot in your day, maybe right before bed or during a break, to make a habit of reading for a little while. Reading these books isn't just about finishing them. It's about enjoying the journey of learning. You're not obligated to finish a book if you find it boring or uninteresting. But every book you go through opens up new ideas and ways of thinking as you go through your list.

You're not just reading; you're growing your understanding of the world. Bit by bit, the average American reads around 12.6 books per year. So make a list of 12 titles for your next year and get them for Christmas. How you start your morning can really set the mood for your whole day. A good way to make your mornings productive is by listening to an educational podcast.

It's like having a mini class on something you're interested in right at the start of your day. We personally listen to Tim Ferriss’ Podcast on our morning walk with the dogs. But don't just listen. Think about what they're saying. Do you agree with what you're hearing? Can you connect it to something or someone that you know?

This way you're not just hearing words. You're really learning and thinking about new ideas. Starting your day with a podcast is a great way to wake up your brain and get excited about learning. It's like a morning workout, but for your mind. In an age where information is abundant, the real challenge often lies in finding structured, reliable knowledge, especially when it comes to learning something that interests you or is crucial for your work.

This is where investing in courses or educational materials becomes not just beneficial, but essential. There are two key reasons for this approach: structure and access to exclusive knowledge. First, let's talk about structure. Courses provide a curated learning journey. They are designed to take you from the basics to more advanced concepts in a logical, coherent way.

This structured approach not only makes learning more efficient, but also ensures that you don't miss out on fundamental concepts that could be crucial to your understanding. You can learn anything by yourself for free, but it will take longer to do that if you have the time. If you don't, get yourself some structured stuff.

And the second reason is access to exclusive knowledge. It's a simple truth that the most valuable insights and know-how are often kept behind a paywall. Experts and professionals who have spent years honing their skills and knowledge are more likely to share their deepest insights and effective strategies in paid courses or materials. It makes sense. This is valuable intellectual property they have developed, often through considerable effort and experience. But from our experience, the investment always pays dividends.

One of the most effective ways to enhance your learning journey is to connect with a group of people who share your level of expertise and interests. Now, this strategy is based on the principle that collective learning can significantly amplify individual growth. When you find a group of peers who are at a similar stage in their learning or career path, you create a powerful synergy that can propel each member forward.

Think of this group as a personal think tank or a mastermind group. You can exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and provide feedback to each other. This isn't just about sharing knowledge. It's about growing together. The benefits of being in such a group are manifold. First, it provides a support system. Learning a new skill or advancing in your career can be daunting. And having a group that understands your challenges can be incredibly motivating.

Second, it accelerates your learning. When you discuss and share knowledge, you're exposed to ideas and techniques you might not have come across on your own. Third, it opens up networking opportunities. The connections you make in these groups can lead to collaborations, job opportunities, or even new ventures. Furthermore, engaging in regular discussions and collaborative projects within your group can lead to deeper insights.

It's like having multiple sets of eyes looking at the same problem, each from a different angle. This collective problem-solving approach can lead to innovative solutions and breakthroughs. The act of writing daily learning reflections is like having a conversation with your own mind, where you pause, ponder, and process the day's experiences and lessons. It's a simple, yet profoundly impactful habit that can transform the way you learn and grow.

By dedicating a few minutes at the end of each day to reflect on what you've learned, you can create a powerful tool for personal development. This practice goes beyond merely recording events. It's about delving into what you've absorbed, questioning it, and connecting it to your broader life experiences. Reflect on questions like: how does this learning relate to my goals or interests? How can I apply it in my life or work? What new questions or ideas has it sparked?

In essence, writing daily learning reflections is not just a learning tool. It's a life tool. It helps you to become more self-aware, thoughtful, and intentional in your personal and professional growth. There is a unique and powerful benefit that comes from teaching in your area of expertise. It reinforces and expands your own understanding. When you decide to teach, whether it's in a formal setting or just casually helping a friend or colleague, you engage with the material in a new way.

You have to think about how to present the information clearly and logically. And this process often reveals gaps in your own understanding, prompting you to learn even more. It's a cycle where teaching leads to learning, which in turn makes you a better teacher. And, you know, the act of teaching also hones your communication skills. You learn to break down complex ideas into simpler, more digestible parts.

And this skill is invaluable, not just in teaching, but almost in every aspect of professional and personal life. Being able to clearly articulate your thoughts and ideas is a powerful tool in any setting. There are hackathons for tech enthusiasts where coding and problem-solving skills are put to the test. Game jams for game developers, challenging creativity and technical prowess. Design sprints for creatives focusing on rapid prototyping and user experience.

But the possibilities extend far beyond these options. There are startup weekends and innovation workshops where entrepreneurs and business professionals brainstorm and develop business models. For those in the sciences, there are research symposiums and lab workshops providing a platform for presenting research and engaging in scientific discourse. In the creative arts, workshops can range from intensive writing retreats to filmmaking workshops, each designed to immerse participants in their craft.

Attending events like these serves several key purposes. Firstly, it puts your skills to the test in a practical, often collaborative environment. You're not just learning in theory; you're applying what you know in real-world scenarios. Secondly, you gain exposure to what others in your field are doing. Their techniques, projects, and thought processes; find them and go take part. You will not regret it.

There is a special kind of joy and pride that comes from using new skills to complete a project. It's one thing to learn something new, but it's a whole other level of satisfaction to actually make something with that knowledge. For example, if you're getting into game development, why not start by making a simple game like Snake? It's a classic and straightforward enough for beginners.

While you're building it, you'll face real challenges that will test and improve your skills in a practical way. Or if you're learning software development, try creating a basic app. It could be anything from a simple calculator to a daily planner. This project will teach you a lot about coding, problem-solving, and debugging skills you can't fully grasp just by reading or watching tutorials.

Interested in cinematography? Well, make a short film and upload it to YouTube. You'll learn so much about shooting, editing, and storytelling. Plus, the feedback you get from viewers can be incredibly helpful for your learning. The average person spends a significant portion of their day in activities like commuting, waiting in lines, or doing other routine tasks.

Studies have shown that the average commute time in many cities can be over 30 minutes one way. That adds up to hours each week where you could be doing something productive, like learning. Now think about how you can transform this wasted time into an opportunity for personal growth. If you're driving, audiobooks and educational podcasts can be your best friends. For those using public transport, this could be a great time for reading, from language learning apps to short TED Talks.

You can find content that fits into these brief windows of time, or better yet, the Alux App! It's just 10 minutes a day. The key here is to be prepared. Have your learning materials, audiobooks, podcasts, e-books, or apps ready and accessible. That way, whenever you find yourself with a few spare minutes, you can easily turn to them.

Every individual learns differently, and discovering the method that works best for you can significantly enhance your ability to absorb and retain information. The world of learning is vast and varied, offering numerous approaches that cater to different preferences and styles. By exploring different learning methods, you not only make the process more effective but also more enjoyable.

Start by experimenting with various formats. Are you more receptive to visual information? Then videos, infographics, and diagrams might be your best friend. If you find that you learn better by listening, then podcasts, audiobooks, and lectures could be ideal. For those who prefer a hands-on approach, practical exercises, experiments, or building projects could be more engaging.

Another aspect to consider is the environment in which you learn. Some people really do thrive in group settings, benefiting from discussions and collaborative projects. Speaking of that, you can take it one step further. Decades ago, many homes featured a room known as the study, a dedicated space for intellectual pursuits filled with books, maps, newspapers, and a serene atmosphere conducive to learning.

These studies were a testament to the value placed on knowledge and personal development. In more modern times, the concept of a designated learning space has somewhat faded away, and it's time to bring it back. The first step in creating this space is to find a spot in your home that you can dedicate to learning. It doesn't have to be an entire room. Even a small corner or a particular desk can serve the purpose.

Once you've chosen your spot, make it inviting and conducive to learning. Stock it up with essential tools like books relevant to your interests, a comfortable chair, adequate lighting, and maybe a small table or desk. Just like the studies of old houses represented a dedication to knowledge, your personal learning space serves as a modern-day sanctuary for education and exploration.

Newsletters are often an under-utilized treasure trove of insights, updates, and expert opinions. They offer a curated stream of information directly to your inbox. Despite their value, studies and surveys suggest that many professionals underutilize newsletters as a resource for continuous learning. So subscribing to a well-chosen selection of newsletters can provide several benefits.

Firstly, they offer convenience. Instead of scouring multiple websites or databases for information, you receive key insights and articles right in your inbox. This saves time and makes it easier to stay informed, even on a busy schedule. Secondly, newsletters often include content that you might not come across all by yourself.

Volunteering for projects related to your industry is a powerful way to enhance your skills and contribute positively to your field. It's an approach that combines personal growth with community service, making it a uniquely rewarding experience. In many industries, there are opportunities to volunteer for projects that can benefit from your expertise, and these projects offer valuable hands-on experience.

Many organizations and not-for-profits seek skilled volunteers for various projects, so consider what skills you can offer and what kind of projects would be both meaningful to you and beneficial for your professional growth. This can be on a whiteboard or a Google Doc or whatever managing software you might be familiar with. The point of this is to have a physical manifestation of your progress and to be able to see it with your own eyes.

Something interesting happens in your brain when you can track stuff and check it regularly. That's why food diaries or weight trackers work so well. There's a great sense of satisfaction when you get to check one more box off your progress bar. We've got one in our office that spreads out on an entire wall.

Following on the keeping track trend, we highly suggest keeping a learning journal. Every time you do something that counts toward your progress, make an entry in your journal. It could be as simple as "Today, I read 20 pages of X book." Journaling clears out your mind and also helps you to figure out what were the things that had the most impact.

Imagine going back to your journal from a year ago and seeing exactly what you did, what you learned, and how it made you feel on a particular day. It gives you a crystal clear picture of what works best for you and how to make the most of it. Journaling is so essential.

How we implemented it in our Alux App, which you can check out by going to Alux.com/app. And we made it super easy for you to use it by adding the most valuable fields to have entries in. So go check it out for yourself. We hope this video helped you figure out the best ways to become a lifelong learner, my friend.

We'll see you back here next time, Aluxer! Until then, take care!