Learning new things can benefit you in more ways than you probably know. Obviously, staying up to date when it comes to our careers is important and we should always find new ways to stay ahead of the game.
But not everything is about work and it’s never too late to take that dance class, learn Italian, or finally jump on that online French cuisine course you’ve been telling yourself you have no time for. In fact, learning new things can benefit your health, help with anxiety and depression, improve your memory, make you a better networker, and boost your self-confidence.
Being open to learning new things and ask questions will also make you a more attractive hire for employers who are looking for people who are willing to grow and learn as constant changes affect industries and the way business is done. Whether you have years of experience or have recently decided to change careers, the only way to stay on top of the game is by learning new things.
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5 Ways in Which You Benefit from Learning New Things
1Keeps your brain active: Learning new things promotes neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to develop new neural pathways. This protects the brain from aging and improves memory. In fact, studies have shown that “a cognitively active lifestyle can stave off the cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders by several years.”
2It’s good for your mental health and self-confidence: Learning new things can help prevent depression and anxiety. It can help us build a sense of purpose and keep our routines from getting tedious and boring by allowing us to see other options. It also boosts our self-confidence and self-esteem, which can ultimately affect our attitude at work and life in a positive way.
3Boosts your profile and skills: Your willingness to learn new things and expand your horizons will keep you relevant and help you deal with issues and concerns in creative ways. It will also help current or potential employers see that you’re not afraid to take up on a challenge and are always willing to keep updating your skill set.
4Makes you a better communicator: As we get older, opportunities for meeting new people and working on our social skills can be rare. Stepping out of our social circle can feel weird and a little awkward, but learning new things can lead to meeting and interacting with new people outside our established groups of friends. It can help us network and keep our social skills sharp. Learning new things also makes us better conversationalists, since we find it easier to approach different topics.
5New passions, new perspectives, new ideas: Learning new things can lead us to new passions and new ways of being creative or of staying active. It can make us see things from standpoints we never thought conceivable and approach leadership and problem solving with different methods and fresh takes. Something as simple as taking a cooking class can help us learn to be more patient and deliberate with our choices.
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It Doesn’t Have to Be About Work
It’s important for you to remember that learning doesn’t have to be about work. Yes, staying up to date with technology and developments relating to your professional life is important and very necessary, but you can also get the benefits of learning something new in a lot of different ways. The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) recommends things like sampling a recipe you’ve never cooked, taking up gardening, learning a new language, writing a blog, or taking up a new sport. You could even try mentoring that new hire or volunteering for a cause you’re passionate about.
Try different learning methods and see what works best for you. Attend book presentations, go see live music, watch something different at a film festival. There are countless resources and many (both free and paid) platforms like MasterClass, Udemy, Coursera, Domestika, LinkedIn Learning, OpenLearning, Thinkific, SkillShare, Khan Academy and more. If you are thinking of learning something new, it’s more than likely that you’ll be able to do it online. You can also look for local classes, lectures, and seminars if you need a more personal approach. You could even learn a practical skill like woodworking, plumbing, or even learning about budgeting.
Make sure you’re also taking advantage of platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts and audiobooks. There are so many creators to learn new things from and support, it will only take a little bit of digging for you to find whatever it is you’re looking for. Or to at least get an idea of the options for you to start learning new things right away.
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