Learning is gaining knowledge or skill through study, practice or experience. People learn through school, tutors and classes, but also from books, hobbies and their jobs. Many people strive to be lifelong learners because it has so many benefits like easing cognitive decline, boosting happiness and making them feel better about themselves. Learning also strengthens connections in the brain, increases confidence and makes people more likely to be social.
Having a clear reason for learning helps keep people motivated to stick with it over the long haul, especially when they get bored or discouraged. Some of the most successful learners have a clear goal like learning Mandarin for a month and rewarding themselves with a treat when they finish. Others focus on the short-term benefits of learning something new, such as impressing a friend with their improved conversational skills or feeling more confident in their job interview.
Everyone learns in a different way, so finding the best ways to learn is important. Some people prefer to be self-guided and work at their own pace while others thrive in group learning situations. Varying the methods you use is also helpful. Try listening to audiobooks, watching tutorials and trying out free online courses to see what works best for you. If you’re struggling with a topic, the Feynman Technique—developed by Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist Richard Feynman—is a great method for breaking down complex information into simple steps.
The act of teaching also helps solidify what you have learned, so consider finding a way to share your newfound knowledge. This can be as simple as describing a topic to a friend or as involved as creating a blog post or podcast. learn