Having a job can take a toll on our personal lives. We’ve heard the horror stories of the measures people take to move forward in their careers. However, we all need to work for a living. So how can someone achieve personal fulfillment while working a nine-to-five job?
One thing we can do is encourage ourselves to have a form of self-initiated education that’s focused on personal development. Another word for this is lifelong learning which basically means learning outside of a formal educational institute.
The difference between attending classes in school and lifelong learning is that in lifelong learning, you are voluntarily signing up to learn something you want. Usually, we take these courses because we have goals and interests outside of our formal schooling and jobs.
Lifelong learning doesn’t have to be in a classroom. Some examples are learning to use a smartphone, cooking a new dish, or learning a new skill online. These things help us develop new skills and interests, leading to personal fulfillment.
At work, employers nowadays seek for more than formal education credentials. They look for lifelong learners since they see it as a core component in employee development.
This is because employees who engage in constant personal learning can be adaptable and flexible for the organization. So what are some other benefits to being a lifelong learner in the workplace?
1. An Investment For The Future
Today, businesses don’t just look for book-smart employees. Since industries are constantly changing, so are requirements. A great university and seminar credentials won’t mean much if you’re not equipped with other skills as well.
Being a lifelong learner also makes you an employee that’s willing to learn and grow and that’s what most employers search for.
According to research by the Pew Research Center, 87% of workers believe it’s essential to get training and develop new skills throughout their work life to keep up with changes in the workplace.
2. Better productivity
Other than keeping you competitive, lifelong learning makes you happier and more productive. According to studies, lifelong learning has positive effects on perceptions of self which makes people happier and more effective at work.
According to research, employees who are happy can actually be 12% more productive at work. So if you’re feeling down and unsatisfied at work, it’s good to learn something new. Learning new things can challenge you which contributes to making you more interested in your work.
3. Keeps you up to date
By being a lifelong learner, you are forcing yourself to stay current and up to date to the ever-changing world of business. For example, with technology growing advanced each year, it requires employees to have certain skills in that area.
Today, knowledge about programming can be of use anywhere. Especially with new graduates, current employees can stay competitive in the job field and in their workplace.
4. Network Growth
Learning new skills can help you grow your network and help with career changes. With new skills, you are adding more value to yourself and continuing your education can help you meet other professionals in your industry.
Now that you have a rough idea of why being a lifelong learner can be beneficial in the workplace, it’s time to learn some new skills.
Author
Andre Oentoro is the founder of Breadnbeyond, an award winning explainer video company. He helps business increase conversion rates, close more sales and get positive ROI from explainer videos (in that order).
Twitter: @breadnbeyond
Email: andre@breadnbeyond.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreoentoro/
