⌄ Scroll down to continue ⌄

12 Powerful Habits of People Dedicated to Lifelong Learning

⌄ Scroll down to continue ⌄
12 Powerful Habits of People Dedicated to Lifelong Learning

Formal education is something everyone has to go through to a certain degree, and the knowledge it offers isn’t always that practical in real life. Lifelong learning is how you improve as a person, bit by bit and day by day.

Lifelong learners recognize the importance and joy of growth and personal development, so they never settle for what they currently know and always seek to improve and build upon their current knowledge.

Here are 12 habits of people who value lifelong learning; see how many of them you recognize in yourself.

1. They Read on a Daily Basis

Whatever problem or dilemma you currently face, there’s at least one decent book that discusses it and presents a variety of solutions.

Reading is a great way to open up new horizons, train your brain, and revolutionize your life. Through reading, you can connect with successful people and learn from the lessons they share[1]. Through fiction, you can learn through your imagination and that of the author, connecting with worlds that aren’t your own.


If you want to boost your lifelong learning, pick up any book to get started.

2. They Attend Various Courses

Whether it’s online or offline, there are countless courses you can participate in without spending a dime. These are great opportunities to connect with clever and like-minded people and learn from them.

Because of the advanced technology, you can now gain knowledge from online programs, from coding to self-improvement to programs from top universities.

⌄ Scroll down to continue reading article ⌄

⌄ Scroll down to continue reading article ⌄

There are literally endless ways to thrive. What lifelong learners have in common is squeezing as much as possible out of these opportunities.

3. They Actively Seek Opportunities to Grow

Instead of spending your free time lying on the couch and watching TV, you prefer doing something creative and practical. You know every wasted minute is gone forever.

That’s why you’d rather practice your language skills with a native-speaker you’ve met, engage in a local meet-up, or attend a class that teaches something you always wanted to learn.

Lifelong learners stay up-to-date with growth opportunities in their area and participate in them frequently.

4. They Take Care of Their Bodies


A clever mind combined with a body in a great condition is the best asset you can have. Our bodies were designed to move, so leading a sedentary lifestyle harms both your physical and mental sphere.

Lifelong learners know the body is your temple. In order to make it flourish for as long as possible, they train regularly, move a lot, and eat healthy.

5. They Have Diverse Passions




Having a variety of passions indicates that you love to progress and engage in lifelong learning. By practicing different skills, you give yourself an advantage over others. During hard times, you are more likely to to act intelligently and solve your problems with less effort.

6. They Love Making Progress

If behind the efforts, there is passion and a deep desire to grow, your chances of success are much higher compared to when you are forced to learn.


You can learn more about how to take learning to the next level and make progress in this video:

7. They Challenge Themselves with Specific Goals

In order to keep growing, you clearly define your goals. SMART goal setting is one important tool to ensure constant growth.

Since you love challenges, a difficult goal doesn’t scare you. Instead, it keeps you motivated and engaged.

Research showed that precise and ambitious goals increase the performance of an individual. As we already agreed, lifelong learners are people who care about their performance, so they never stop improving.

8. They Embrace Change

A complete change can lead to incredible results. This is especially visible in the example of successful companies.

⌄ Scroll down to continue reading article ⌄

⌄ Scroll down to continue reading article ⌄


As a lifelong learner, you know a change can lead to extraordinary results, so you welcome it and stay open minded about making a shift.

9. They Believe It’s Never Too Late to Start Something

Some people tend to think that after a certain age, they are no longer allowed to start something and become successful. The truth is, it’s just an excuse to not leave one’s comfort zone.

Opposite to common misconceptions, there’s no wrong age to begin something. Henry Ford was 45 when he invented the Ford Model T car, the first affordable automobile.


10. Their Attitude to Getting Better Is Contagious


There’s nothing better than to see the people around you getting involved in what you actively participate in. Oftentimes, the best way to achieve that is to inspire them and be the example. As Gandhi would say, you need to be the change you want to see in the world.

As a lifelong learner, you are extremely passionate about constant growth, and people around you can sense that positive attitude. As a result, they start acting similarly.

11. They Leave Their Comfort Zone


⌄ Scroll down to continue reading article ⌄
⌄ Scroll down to continue reading article ⌄

You always embrace discomfort, as you know the path to success leads through hardship and countless obstacles. Instead of being afraid of facing them, you challenge yourself to overcome more and more challenges.[2]

The comfort zone

    Every time you get out of your comfort zone, regardless of whether you succeed or fail, you learn something new, and that’s the part you love the most.

    12. They Never Settle Down

    “Knowledge is exploding, so you need to commit yourself to a plan for life long learning.” -Don Tapscott

    A sense of being clever enough is something you don’t experience. Without a doubt, you appreciate what you already know, but that’s never a reason to stop. You just know that once you stop learning, you lose the amazing privilege humans have, namely an ability for never-ending intellectual development.

    The Bottom Line

    Lifelong learning is about building a positive attitude toward the benefits gained when you increase your store of knowledge. Even if you never enjoyed school, you can find ways to enjoy your own personal learning and professional development and learn about things that genuinely interest you. Once you start, you’ll find it difficult to stop.

    More Tips on Lifelong Learning

    Featured photo credit: Christin Hume via unsplash.com


    More by this author

    Oskar Nowik

    Oskar is a blogger and the author of "Brightening: The Positive Attitude That Will Change Your Life"

    30 Life-Altering Goals to Set for Yourself Before Turning 40
    30 Life-Altering Goals to Set for Yourself Before Turning 40
    12 Powerful Habits of People Dedicated to Lifelong Learning
    12 Powerful Habits of People Dedicated to Lifelong Learning
    super achiever
    8 Things Super-Achievers Routinely Do To Be Insanely Productive
    heavy squat
    Results Speak: Doing These 5 Painful Things Will Pay Off Forever
    Woman reaching out
    10 Thoughts Preventing You From Leaving Your Comfort Zone

    Trending in Personal Development

    1 42 Practical Ways to Start Working on Self-Improvement 2 10 Benefits of Reading: Why You Should Read Every Day 3 How to Make Going Back to School at 30 Possible 4 43 Best Audiobooks on Self-Improvement to Listen to in 2022 5 10 Best Self-Improvement Classes in 2022

    Read Next


    Explore the Full Life Framework