Learning itself, despite what subject is being studied and practiced, is highly beneficial towards living a successful life. I am defining success here as optimal health (mental and physical well-being) as well as capability (practical skills/knowledge) and opportunity (fulfilling the prerequisites for advancement). Consistent learning builds a strong foundation in each of these life domains.
This list is based on both research and personal reflection.
Benefit #1: Neurogenesis
Neurogenesis is the term used to describe the brain’s creation of new neurons and neural pathways. This is related to a concept known as neuroplasticity (also called mental plasticity) which describes the ability for the brain to rearrange and grow new neurons at any stage of life (age). Our brain is never stagnant, but is a living organ that is influenced to change based on our actions. You are constantly teaching your brain, whether you are conscious of it or not. The process of neurogenesis keeps the brain “young” in a healthy state of growth.
This TED Talk by Sandrine Thuret gives some interesting and practically applicable information on neurogenesis. This article (from which the quote in the image is drawn) provides insights on one of the studies being done on the health benefits of neurogenesis in the elderly.
Benefit #2: Synergy
Knowledge in general can be thought of as creating mental connections. Symbolic words connected to what they represent, people to time and places, one word to another in sequential order, a number on a clock to an important event, a feeling in your stomach to the concept of hunger, etc… Thoughts are a series of mental connections. Often, new concepts can be best taught in metaphors for that reason. In doing so we attach the new concept to one that is familiar — making that connection simple.
The more raw materials we have to connect together, the more potential connections we can make. The more of these connection patterns we are aware of and understand, the more capable we will be in being able to make comparisons (our own metaphors) and grasp something new more quickly.
In addition, increased expertise in one field will make the availability to expand that expertise into neighboring/similar fields much easier.
Learning something new that also increases your capability in another domain is called synergy.
Benefit #3: Momentum
Nothing is truly stagnant in life, especially living things.
There is a certain indescribable feeling that our lives have a forward trajectory, and that that trajectory has momentum that sometimes moves slower or faster. It can even feel it is moving the opposite direction during the lower points of our life, though often this propels us into a time of rapid forward momentum in response.
This feeling of momentum is based on our holistic growth as a human being. Like a plant, when we are growing our life is in the process of fulfillment.
Many circumstances in our lives cannot be controlled, but consistent learning is a sure way to feel that forward momentum and grow on a daily basis.
Benefit #4: Adventure
The more capable we are in different situations, the more opportunities will be opened for us professionally, socially, spiritually, and intellectually.
Not only that, but the process of learning opens us up to ideas and opportunities that we did not even know existed. The world is vast and it is commonly known among scholars that at the most advanced and deepest levels of understanding, one is most likely to discover that there is still so much more to learn (similar to the psychological concept the “Dunning-Kruger effect”).
To learn something new is to set out on an adventure that will take you beyond the horizons you can currently see. And yet, no matter how far you travel, there is always a new horizon.
Journaling/Reflection Prompt
If you could be the top expert in any field or skill in this very moment, what would it be? How would it feel to be that expert? What would you do with this skill or knowledge?