Why Lifelong Learning is Important…
You might think that taking time on the weekend to learn seems like something that would be more work and energy-draining.
Think again.
You can actually enhance wellbeing and productivity by building the habit to learn something new. Read on to find out why learning something new is important. Afterwards, find a list of 30 ideas for ways to learn something new this weekend, even if you’re busy.
1. It Refreshes the Mind
Choosing activities that are educational or novel can provide a shift from your everyday ways of thinking. Equally important, this kind of shift in focus can lower stress and fend off burnout.
2. It Promotes Personal and Professional Growth
You can develop yourself in many ways by trying out new ideas and finding inspiration. These kinds of activities help increase your sense of accomplishment and can pop up unexpectedly when you might be working through a future idea or problem.
3. It Boosts Productivity
Making time for activities that are new or interesting helps you have a good start to the week. Additionally, productivity, problem-solving abilities, and your overall ability to get things done will be strengthened.
4. It Fosters Problem-Solving
Learning fosters innovative ideas, resilience, and problem-solving. Importantly, taking this time can help you approach problems in a different way.
There is certainly a body of research on why learning is important, particularly as we age, but I’ll save a deeper dive on that for another post.
Quick Ways to Learn Something New This Weekend
You might be asking yourself: What if I just don’t have enough time?
Check out the list below for ideas of how to learn new things on the go:
- read/collect quotes
- try a life hack
- watch or listen to a TED talk
- learn a random fact
- play an online word game
- read a chapter
- try a puzzle app
- ask someone to teach you something
- listen to a podcast
- brainstorm
- watch a youtube DIY project
- visit LinkedIn
- change your routine
- learn a new word
- read a short article
- plan a new route to work
- listen to an audiobook
- try an online course
- learn a word in a different language
- visit a library
- watch a documentary
- teach something to someone
- participate in a workshop
- read a blog post
- take a virtual tour
- find a meaningful infographic
- learn a fun fact
- ask an interesting question
- try a new recipe
- journal
Conclusion
Finding time to build a habit of learning can seem daunting, but it will help you recharge in a way that fires you up for the week ahead. These kinds of activities not only provide a mental refresh but also contribute to growth and resilience.
Try one of these ideas to learn something this weekend and see how it transforms your week ahead. Comment below or visit our online community to share your experiences and ideas!
And if you haven’t yet, join The Weekend Reset Challenge, for a weekly challenge to add good habits to every weekend!
