In a world where information is more accessible than ever, we're asking whether it is actually possible to learn something new every day and how you go about this

We’ve probably all heard or used the phrase “You learn something new every day.” Some of us may actively seek out new information based on our hobbies and interests, or following something we’ve spotted in the news. For others, new knowledge might just fall into our laps out of the blue. 

As I’m approaching my mid-twenties, I’ve not long been out of education and in the world of work, so I tend to find myself picking up new information and skills most days. I’m also very aware that I still have so much to learn. But this got me thinking: is it really possible to learn something new every day? 

This question seemed like the perfect place to begin. As adults, we often have the desire to fulfil our inner child as we question ‘why?’ and get curious about the world.

What are the benefits of lifelong learning? 

When we’re young and in school, college, or university, we spend pretty much all day, every day, learning – gearing ourselves up to take exams that will see us through to the next phase of our lives. Then we’ll likely fall into work and of course, learning continues, but it does feel as though it starts to slow down, or at least steady. We soon find our rhythm in life; for some of us, that might mean we have fewer opportunities to take stock and assess whether we’re fulfilling our personal and/or professional development goals. 

Whether we’re in our twenties or sixties, we should be actively trying to learn something new, if not every day, at least a few times a week – and for good reason. Below are just a few of the benefits of learning new things: 

  • You’ll gain confidence: When we learn something new, we feel more confident and sure of ourselves to be able to tackle tasks or perhaps face challenges that might come to the surface. 
  • Improves mental health and wellbeing: Acquiring new knowledge can feel empowering. It gives us that same sense of achievement as when we meet our goals, and this level of satisfaction can do wonders for our wellbeing. 
  • You can connect with other like-minded people: Learning looks different for everyone, so you might decide to join a class with other like-minded individuals. Social connection is not only paramount to our overall wellbeing, but this can also keep us accountable for our learning. 
  • It helps beat boredom: Learning something new doesn’t always mean you have to apply it to your daily life, but rather it might shape future experiences or how you perceive something. It could be that you want to understand a phenomenon of the natural world. Sure, it might not be knowledge that you need, and you’re probably going to end up down a wormhole of information, but spending even just a few minutes per day getting curious can help tackle boredom and increase motivation. (And who knows, you could hold the answer to the winning question at the quiz!)
  • Improves brain health: Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to adapt and change as we acquire more information and experiences. Learning new information and skills can help improve memory, focus and even reduce stress. Whilst there is no concrete evidence, there is some suggestion that brain training could potentially delay some of the symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer's. 

It’s worth noting here that “learning” doesn’t necessarily mean going back into education – although many people do go down this route in later life and it can be a hugely positive experience. Caroline shares how it benefitted her in our article, ‘The power of lifelong learning: why you could benefit from a return to education.’ In fact, learning can be as simple as getting curious, being observant and being open to new opportunities. Therefore, what might initially seem like an overwhelming prospect can certainly be doable. So the next question is how? 

8 tips to learn something new every day 

  1. Reframe mistakes 

Treat mistakes as opportunities to learn. Rather than ruminating on what went wrong, try to understand the decisions you took which led you to that mistake instead. From here, you can identify what you would do differently next time and if you’re still unsure, this is a great time to reach out for help. 

  1. Make a habit of asking questions 

Whether you’re intrigued by a conversation with a friend or colleague, or you want to do your own research, never be afraid to ask follow-up questions. Is there something you think about daily? Now is the time to search for the answer. 

  1. Switch up your routine 

It’s easy for us to fall into a daily routine, which means we’re often running on autopilot. Start mixing up your days with something small that could be new to you, like reading for 10 minutes before bed, and then begin to build on this. Eventually, you’ll become more aware when opportunities arise and you’ll feel more confident to try new things. 

  1. Make time to learn 

Following on from the previous tip, our lives can be so busy that we might not think we have time to learn. Remember that learning looks different for everyone so only you can decide how much information you want to consume. If you can’t set aside an uninterrupted block of time to read for example, it could be that you identify moments in your day where you can learn on the go, such as listening to a podcast on your morning commute to work. 

  1. Embrace every opportunity 

Whether we are determined to learn a new language or spend a few moments browsing the news, all knowledge is power. Don’t disregard pockets of opportunity to gain insights, even if you think it’s inconsequential. 

  1. Identify what method of learning works for you 

You’re more likely to learn something new every day if you’re engaged with the content you’re consuming. So, whether you prefer to listen to audio like a podcast, read an article, or watch a video, identifying how best you receive and retain information will go a long way to helping you develop your skills. 

💡
If you struggle to find out what method works best with you, working with a coach could help. Whether it’s that you want to make progress in your career, get creative or develop yourself, coaching can provide you with the tools you need. Find out more on Life Coach Directory. 

  1. Focus on what interests you 

Have fun with learning! Whilst some of us might choose to learn a new skill or take a course to develop professionally, learning doesn’t have to feel daunting. Consider what interests you and what brings you joy. 

  1. Shape your feed 

In our digital age, we tend to be served with new information related to what we’ve previously consumed. Both to protect our mental health and wellbeing, and to know that the information we receive is going to be of benefit to us, try to streamline your social media platforms so that you’ll be recommended posts that you genuinely wish to engage with. 

Whilst we can make a conscious effort to learn new things daily, in a world where we are more connected than ever, it seems that we are always learning, but we just might not realise it. So yes, I do think it’s possible to learn something new every day, but the real question is: what do we do with that information? 

With that, what’s got you thinking lately?