Our idea of learning might just be limited to something we only learn in school or college, thinking that learning stops once we finish our formal education.
But the truth is, it never stops. Learning is constant and something that we always do, meaning it is not confined to and does not always revolve around a formal setting.
Lifelong learning is the ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. It’s crucial for our personal growth.
We all have our own goals and set of motivations, and through continuous learning, we can all develop them and hence polish our skills.
As long as you know what and how you want to make the most out of your lifelong learning process – personal or professional – you are more likely to stick with it, reap its benefits, and excel in your career. As a result, you can easily adapt yourself to the ever-changing dynamics of the workplace.
So, the purpose of this blog is to shed light on the importance of lifelong learning and how it can massively impact your professional and personal life with the help of Continuing Professional Development.
Importance of Lifelong Learning
Some of the most successful and smart people were always learning. Leonardo da Vinci, Descartes, Immanuel Kant, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Steve Jobs and many of history’s great minds were massive lifelong learners — they were curious about many subject areas. They made time to explore their intellectual curiosities.
“Always try to associate yourself with and learn as much as you can from those who know more than you do, who do better than you, who see more clearly than you,” says Dwight D. Eisenhower.
There is always something new to learn, and cultivating an eagerness for lifelong learning is essential for personal and professional growth.
Embracing lifelong learning not only opens doors to continual self-improvement but also brings forth numerous benefits:
- It provides invaluable opportunities for self-improvement, facilitating the achievement of any goal one aspires to.
- Lifelong learning fosters professional growth by enabling individuals to adapt to innovations, boosting confidence, and enhancing self-esteem.
- Beyond professional development, it contributes to a sense of fulfilment and maintains cognitive health. Moreover, staying ahead of your peers’ positions individuals as long-term assets to their companies or organisations.
But the real question is what does lifelong learning have to do with Continuing Professional Development?
Lifelong learning is a continuous process that never stops throughout your life while continuing professional development is something we intentionally do to progress in our career.
CPD - A Fundamental Aspect of Lifelong Learning
We all walk on different paths in our lives and cannot confine ourselves to one hobby or career, as it is in our nature to constantly grow.
But if we perceive this from a different angle, the need for constant growth is pressing today and most situations demand it.
Lifelong learning is interconnected with continuous development; both concepts emphasise ongoing learning to gain skills and knowledge and stay relevant to the latest developments in the market.
Lifelong learning includes all forms of learning throughout, it is unstructured and always self-driven; on the other hand, Continuing Professional Development involves structured and career-driven activities such as mentoring programs or conferences that are relevant to only desired or current profession.
Beyond everything, one thing is for sure; in this process of making progress we learn the most.
Here are some of the most important ways, lifelong learning along with CPD helps you professionally:
Secure a Job and Stand Out from Other Applicants
It would not be wrong to say that school cramming cannot be applied, especially when you enter a professional career.
Actual learning starts ‘on the job’ and fresh graduates are never work-ready after completing their degrees; therefore, engaging in lifelong learning is crucial.
On the other hand, most of us deviate from our actual degrees and choose an entirely different path to pursue other interests.
To fill this gap and acquire skills in the desired field, you can e.g., enrol yourself in a diploma, internship or apprenticeship and learn the things you want to do and achieve in your life.
Doing so will help you prepare to work in a professional setting and even if you are experienced, it will help you develop soft skills which can further boost confidence and prepare for real-life scenarios.
Remain Competitive and Stay Relevant in the Market
The work environment is constantly changing and so must we. If we talk about it from a professional point of view, the importance of CPD and lifelong learning cannot be overstated. Whether applying for a new job or wanting to stay relevant to the existing one, acquiring additional skills is highly beneficial for you.
Rather than just relying on a degree or a few years of experience, it’s important to upskill to secure new jobs or stay at the existing ones.
Employers seek employees who are get-goers, resilient, welcome change, and put new ideas to the table. Having these traits and skills helps them stand out in the organisation or workplace.
For instance, if you are a teacher by profession, how would you incorporate lifelong learning? You can attend conferences, workshops, or seminars to enhance your knowledge.
Consequently, you will be able to better cater to your student’s needs and queries.
So, whether it’s for personal or professional needs, lifelong learning and CPD can help you develop your skills, hence allowing you to stay ahead of the curve.
Final Thoughts
We all learn something new daily, whether it’s through reading a new book, browsing the internet or just engaging in other personal interests. Regardless of the resources we use, continuously learning new skills and gaining new knowledge is important for professional and personal enhancement, leading to improved growth and performance.
