Success isn't just about having a degree or sticking to one career anymore. The real game-changer is committing to lifelong learning. Nowadays employers and leaders are looking for people who are all about continuous learning, helping them stay flexible and up-to-date with the ever-changing landscape.
Learning goes beyond school!
Lifelong learning is not just sitting in the classroom, it’s all about the ongoing quest for knowledge and skills throughout your life. It's a way of thinking that recognises how fast the world changes and the importance of adapting and evolving. This kind of learning goes beyond formal education and can happen through self-study, online classes, workshops or even just from everyday experiences. By embracing lifelong learning, people can keep their minds active, stay relevant in a fast-paced job market and promote personal growth and satisfaction. It’s a fantastic way to take charge of your learning path and reach your full potential.
No matter your dreams or aspirations, acquiring new knowledge and skills is essential to achieving them. Learning is one of the most valuable skills you can develop, especially in our fast-paced, ever-evolving world. Every day offers new possibilities which makes the ability to learn quickly and effectively an invaluable asset.
Learning can be difficult!
Learning can be challenging, but recent research in neuroplasticity shows that your brain’s ability to reorganise itself by forming new connections shows us that learning can also be incredibly rewarding. Here’s how understanding the science behind learning can help you make it more effective:
Tip 1: Stay attentive and engaged
Your brain is more receptive when you’re fully focused. Take a moment to centre yourself before you begin a learning session. Just 30 seconds of focusing on your material can boost dopamine levels, which improves attention and engagement.
Tip 2: Generate repetitions!
Repetition is crucial to learning. Every time you review, repeat or practise something, you strengthen the neural pathways that make that knowledge second nature. Just remember how challenging driving was initially and how effortless it feels now. With practice you created a neural superhighway in your brain!
Tip 3: Embrace and appreciate mistakes!
Mistakes are an essential part of learning. When you make an error, self-discovery helps release dopamine, increasing your focus and strengthening those neural pathways. Embrace each mistake as an opportunity to grow.
Tip 4: Relax, rest and sleep!
Although focusing on something increases our attention when absorbing information, something magical happens when we momentarily LOSE focus. Recently, scientists have discovered that during rest periods, whether short or long, your brain generates extra repetitions. These rest periods are the basis for processing information.
But watch out! Although scrolling on your smartphone, gaming or talking are considered relaxing activities, they still require a certain amount of focus. During these activities, you are absorbing information. You are "learning" (social skills, gameplay, the information on your feed). However, the type of rest scientists refer to in "super learning" is deeper rest.
Tip 5: Random short rest breaks
Take random short rest breaks during your learning sessions, lasting 30 to 60 seconds. During these pauses, avoid focusing on anything specific—just pay attention to your breathing and consciously slow it down. This gives your brain the space to recover and process what you’ve learned, allowing it to do the rest of the work in the background.
Tip 6: NSDR (Non Sleep Deep Rest)
NSDR stands for Non Sleep Deep Rest, a method that is very effective for improving learning. Let’s walk you through the steps:
- Reserve 10-20 minutes somewhere during the day, after your learning session, to lie down and rest with your eyes closed.
- Choose a low-intensity activity, such as yoga, meditation or simply relaxing.
- During this rest period, try to let go of your thoughts and focus on your breathing.
- Scientists have found that this technique produces dramatic improvements in the learning process, because your brain continues to strengthen neuronal connections during the rest period.
- In addition, this type of meditation or rest is also scientifically proven to be successful in reducing stress.
By applying NSDR regularly, you can both improve your learning performance and reduce stress.
Tip 7: Sleep
Offcourse also a good night sleep is essential for thoroughly processing what you have learned. Scientists have found that sleep in the three nights after learning has a significant impact on processing. So, to make the best use of super learning, it is important to go to bed on time and get enough sleep. Make sure you give your brain the necessary rest and recovery time so that it can effectively consolidate and integrate the information learned.
Incorporating these super learning techniques can transform your learning process, making it both more enjoyable and effective. As the saying goes, "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young." So, remember to balance learning with rest and sleep to keep your mind sharp and achieve the best results.
