The 7 Keys to Becoming a More Effective Lifelong Learner

Written by Jeff Cobb - 19 Comments
Categories: self education

Learning is one of the greatest joys in life and it can also be critical to staying employable and keeping our minds healthy as we grow older. Even with the great rewards that learning promises, however, few of us put much thought into how we might be better at it.

Here are seven practices that will help you take your learning to new levels.

Commit to learning

Most people can get on board with the idea of lifelong learning, but few of us really commit to making learning a regular, focused part of our lives. Commitment means setting clear goals for what you what to learn, how you plan to go about it, and how long it will take. Write your goals and your plan down, and set a specific time each week for reviewing your progress.

Schedule a time for learning

We’re learning all the time, often without even knowing it, but when it comes to achieving focused learning goals, our minds appreciate regularity and rhythm. Carve out a specific time each day, ideally, always in the same place – to devote to your learning activities. Get rid of distractions like e-mail and your cell phone during this time and focus your attention on your learning goals.

Organize

I tend to write things down all over the place, which can make it very hard to retrieve the information I am looking for when I need it. Don’t fall into this trap. Determine a small number of specific places where you will store all of the materials related to your learning. Go digital to the greatest extent possible‚  among other advantages, this puts the power of search on your side. And you might want to try Web-based tools like Evernote for note-taking, or Penzu for keeping a journal.

Repeat, Repeat, Repeat

This one can’t be said often enough. We build and maintain connections in our long -term memory over time. For truly mastering a subject-area or skill there simply is no substitute for putting in the time to review and practice. Of course, this can’t just be mindless, mechanical repetition. You need to really focus your attention ‚ and ideally, your passion ‚ on what you are trying to learn.

Don’t do too much

Multi-tasking and information overload are the enemies of effective learning. The human brain is an amazing organ, but it can only do so much at once. If you want to be successful in your learning efforts, you will have to set priorities. This is a key part of the goal-setting already mentioned above. Determine which learning goals are most important to you now, set aside other goals for later, and eliminate things that really aren’t all that important to you.

Treat your mind and body right

Learning is a physical as well as a mental activity. We need enough sleep each night,  7 to 8 hours for most adults,  to ensure that our brain functions properly. We need the healthy blood flow that aerobic exercise can help support to ensure that the brain gets enough oxygen. And there is increasing evidence that our diets can have a significant impact on our cognitive abilities. In short, eat right, exercise, and get enough sleep if you want to be a truly effective learner.

Relax

Leaving aside special circumstances like cramming for a test, we don’t learn well under stress. In fact, excessive stress over a long period of time can cause damage to the hippocampus, one of the parts of our brain that is critical for long-term memory. Living and learning are not about some grand, ultimate goal. They are simply about living and learning. Relax, and the learning will come.

Jeff Cobb is the founder of Mission to Learn where he blogs weekly about lifelong learning and self-education in a hyper-connected, Web 2.0 world.

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  • http://www.free-speed-reading.com/ Bob

    There are lots of good tips in this. I would add that a good way to ensure that you’re learning and remembering skills is to read two books on one topic, and then return to an older topic for every 3rd book or so that you’re reading. It ensures that you’re spreading out your knowledge increase over time, which increases retention.

  • http://www.mikestechblog.com Mike

    Good article!

    I find for myself, that I am constantly asking “Why” and “what if”. Curiosity is a great thing!

  • http://lawsagna.typepad.com/lawsagna/ Anastasia

    These are great tips! I have a learning journal where I write down five things I’ve learned each day and some notes on how I could apply that knowledge to projects I am working on. I am a curious learner by nature and my journal helps me focus and turn my learning into action.

  • http://positivelypresent.com Positively Present

    Great post! I love learning and I love learning new tips about learning too. Thanks!

  • http://heycoachj.blogspot.com Coach J

    As a teacher and a life long learner, I have to say AMEN! I especially love the suggestion to just relax into learning. Too many times people think they “must” leanr one thing or another, and while leanring goals can be incredibly helpful, they can also add a lot of unnecessary pressure. Make the goals small, manageable and FUN. Learning didactically should be about curiosity and wonder. Thanks again for the post.

  • http://jwseo.wordpress.com Josh

    This is very good article for me – especially at this time as I plan to start learning Spanish. I have never taken Spanish at any level, coming in as total newbie. I hope to learn enough so I can travel to South America this time next year.

    Thanks for the tips.

  • http://www.lovelifegodsexmoney.com Coach Rosie

    As one of your commenters mentioned questions are often the key. When you stop asking and learning, something dies.

    Unfortunately some people tend to equate learning with school and if they had a bad experience there they automatically shut off. Whereas the more …um…’learned’ amongst us know that school is a mere introduction, an hors d’oeuvre.

  • http://www.missiontolearn.com Jeff Cobb

    Many thanks to everyone for the comments. Bob – I like your book strategy. I don’t tend to return to things methodically enough, and you really have to if you want to sustain knowledge. Mike – Thanks for mentioning curiosity and sparking other comments that include it. Asking “why” and “what if” and other questions is so important. I think I tend to think of that as the pre-cursor to commitment, but it deserves to be highlighted more. Rosie – Couldn’t agree more. School is just an hors d’oeuvre, as you put it. And unfortunately, it is often not a very good one for many people! – Jeff

  • http://www.homesprosperity.blogspot.com Steve

    Jeff, thanks for the geat tips. I like what you stated about setting goals, and measuring them in this area. Since learning is one of my core values, this makes a lot of sense to me. I am going to have to check out the journaling and notetaking sites you mentioned above. I’ve subscribed to your blog, looking forward to learning more!

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  • http://www.lifelinesproverbs.com Yvonne McCalla Sobers

    Thanks much for these tips. I would only add that taking risk is also a way of being a lifelong learner.

    According to a Zanzibari proverb,”to lose the way is to learn the way.” I have tested this proverb literally and figuratively many times in my life, and recovery from loss of the familiar has brought about tremendous learning.

  • http://lifesnips.com/weekly-worth-reading/246/life-hack-posts-worth-reading-this-week/ Life Hack Posts Worth Reading this Week | LifeSnips

    [...] The 7 Keys to Becoming a More Effective Lifelong Learner Most people can get on board with the idea of lifelong learning, but few of us really commit to making learning a regular, focused part of our lives. Commitment means setting clear goals for what you what to learn, how you plan to go about it, and how long it will take. Write your goals and your plan down, and set a specific time each week for reviewing your progress. [...]

  • http:///www.positivewayoflife.com Josten

    Before i used to want to learn but i never committed to do so. I would easily get distracted from many small things. But i Cleared those things and also restructed my mind to learn more effectively and wanted to learn more.

  • http://www.gwentanner.com/learning/continue-to-learn-continue-to-grow/ Gwen’s Blog » Continue to Learn, Continue to Grow

    [...] that we can make a choice to learn, why not be effective at it?   In this article, 7 Keys to Becoming a More Effective Lifelong  Learner, the discussion is not about becoming a lifelong learner…. it’s about become an [...]

  • Jeff Cobb

    Thanks for the ongoing excellent comments everyone. “Take risks” is a great addition here. I have mentioned it in other writing, but it would be a good one to have on this list as well. – Jeff

  • http://www.lifestylesunlimited.com Trent Yeo

    Excellent post. I’m reminded of two principles in one of my favorite books, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Dr. Stephen Covey. Habit #5: Seek first to understand, then be understood. When learning, it’s very important for us to be a sponge first and siren second. Also Habit #7: Sharpen the saw. Continuous improvement and personal renewal are a never ending cycle to learning.

  • http://explorativeapproach.com/ Shane

    Good post. I also use Evernote and it’s really a very helpful tool for me. Setting aside specific times for learning is probably the one thing I should do more of, to improve my learning progress. Thanks for this post!

  • http://www.dwellupon.net Peter

    Learning is vital in life and completely unavoidable if we like it or not. Not only is it highly functional but I believe highly entertaining, it’s great fun to learn. I’ve been writing a series of posts on learning which can be found here http://dwellupon.net/tag/learn-to-learn/

  • http://www.knowthyselfpower.com/ quatro

    very simple but it serves as a reminder, i believe that everyone agrees that learning is vital… i hope everyone has a learning heart to absorb the simplest reminder. great article.. great post.

    Life-coaching Tips/a>