Education and lifelong learning: why the adventure never ends

15. October 2024 – Mandy Weinand

Education – that often sounds like school desks, exam stress and textbooks that you pore over late into the night. But let’s be honest: learning can also be really fun! Lifelong learning doesn’t mean that you have to struggle with maths formulae and history lessons forever (although that can be exciting too!). Rather, it’s an adventure that will accompany you throughout your life. And the best thing about it? You decide how exciting it gets!

Albert Einstein, known not only for his hairstyle but also for his wisdom, once said:

‘Learning is experience. Everything else is just information.’

Or to put it another way: you can memorise as many clever sayings as you like, but if you never try them out, it’s just… well, information. Real learning happens when you get your hands dirty, fall flat on your face, get up again and say: ‘OK, now I know how to do it!’ – Get out of your comfort zone, be open to new things and just DO IT!

Education and lifelong learning: the marathon that never gets boring

Imagine lifelong learning as a huge marathon. But don’t worry, it’s not about sweat and sore muscles. It’s a run through life where you’re constantly discovering new paths, trying out shortcuts and occasionally jumping over obstacles (sometimes just in your head). There is no destination, no ‘I’m done learning now’, but always new opportunities to discover something exciting. Education educates!

Whether you learn how to speak a new language, take up knitting, practise juggling or develop new skills in your job – lifelong learning keeps your mind fit and your everyday life exciting. Instead of just passively letting the world pass you by, you can actively intervene, participate and shape your own path. You become an eternal adventurer who remains curious and always discovers something new. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?

Why learning is a workout for your brain

Think of your brain like a muscle. Sure, muscles are usually needed for fitness classes – but this is mental exercise. Your brain is happy about every new piece of knowledge you give it. It stays sharp, alert and even makes you think faster. Perfect for shining at the next quiz night or simply scoring points in a conversation with exciting facts.

And let’s be honest: how boring would life be if we knew everything at some point? Now some people will say, sure, I don’t need to know everything, it’s all done by AI these days. But do you also know how it is used and which tools bring which benefits? There’s always something new to discover! From quantum physics (for the very curious) to the perfect recipe for the next barbecue – learning not only enriches us intellectually, it also makes life more exciting. Every new fact, every new experience makes us a little smarter and more self-confident. Incidentally, those who are always learning not only stay smart, but also flexible. This helps enormously when something unexpected happens in the company or in life in general.

The magic of the ‘wow’ moment

Do you know that moment when everything suddenly clicks? The ‘wow’ moment! You’ve heard it a thousand times, but suddenly you really get it. This moment is like the icing on the learning cake. Whether you finally understand how to create a complicated Excel spreadsheet or how to do the perfect backflip (whatever your thing is), this moment is pure magic. And the best thing about it: it happens again and again. So learning makes you happier!

This is exactly where Einstein’s quote comes in: learning is when you really experience something, try it out and suddenly have this feeling: ‘Now I’ve got it!’ Everything that you have only ‘learnt’ without ever applying it remains like an instruction manual for a device that you never use. It’s nice to have, but it only gets really exciting when you actually try it out.

Why lifelong learning and education keeps you young (yes, really!)

Learning not only keeps us young mentally, but also in our hearts. Curiosity about new things, the fun of discovery – these are qualities that keep us fresh and dynamic even in old age. Sure, we may not be able to keep up with everything physically, but our minds can still travel to the highest heights and deepest depths. And if you engage with new topics, you will find that with each new experience you understand a little more about the world – and perhaps a little more about yourself.

Whether you’re learning how to speak a new language, play a musical instrument or grasp the latest technological trend, there’s always something to challenge you and remind you that life never stops being exciting.

It’s not just about knowledge, it’s about life!

At the end of the day, learning is not just about soaking up knowledge. Education is an adventure and we should be glad that we have the opportunities to take advantage of it. We dive into new worlds, try things out, make mistakes and learn more about ourselves and the world around us in the process. So why not have fun with it? Instead of seeing the learning process as a duty, you can see it as an opportunity – a chance to keep discovering something new, keep developing and have a lot of fun in the process.

Speakers who are committed to the topics of education and lifelong learning and who offer excellent workshops and presentations on these topics can be booked with us, the Premium Speakers agency: 1 (704) 804 1054 or welcome@premium-speakers.com

Here are some of the speakers and experts on education and lifelong learning:

Stephanie zu Guttenberg is an advocate for digital education in schools and media pedagogy. She herself speaks five languages and has gained important insights into the education systems of other countries through her numerous stays abroad.

David Hablützel – As a professional snowboarder, he learnt early on how to deal with setbacks and develop resilience. In his lectures, he talks about topics such as self-leadership, coping with stress and overcoming challenges – important skills that are also relevant for lifelong learning.

Deniz Kayadelen – As an expert in resilience and change management, she gives talks on how to unleash your potential and overcome challenges. In particular, her topics on leaving the comfort zone and activating a growth mindset fit perfectly with the concept of lifelong learning

Dr Ayesha Khanna is an expert in artificial intelligence and education of the future. She has worked at government level on strategies to develop future skills and emphasises in her presentations the importance of continuous education, especially in a rapidly digitalising world. Machine learning vs. human learning.

Felix Strobl is a neuroscientist, health and education expert and opera singer. His lectures will focus on what the psyche does to us and what influence digital technology has on our brains. Neuronal plasticity, i.e. how we can change the properties of our brain through training, continuous learning and activities. Highly exciting!

Each of these speakers brings different perspectives, ranging from the traditional education system to digital transformation and new ways of working – perfect for emphasising the importance and fun of lifelong learning!

And remember: ‘Learning is experience. Everything else is just information.’ Leave the flood of information behind and embark on a real learning adventure!