LIFELONG

LEARNING

AND

SELF-DIRECTIONSponsored in part by the Workforce Development Agency, State of Michigan, Michigan Works!, through your

local Workforce Development Board and Muskegon County Board of Commissioners. Auxiliary aids and

services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities EEO/ADA/Employer/Programs - TTY# - 711.

What is Lifelong Learning?

“The continuous building

of skills and knowledge

throughout the life of an

individual. It occurs

through experiences

encountered in the

course of a lifetime.”

Wikipedia

What is Lifelong Learning?

Learning that doesn’t

necessarily happen in

school or a classroom;

an ongoing journey of

learning through

experiences.

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.”

Henry Ford once said…

Lifelong Learning Is About

Acquiring and updating all kinds of abilities,

interests, knowledge and qualifications

Valuing all forms of learning

Taking more control of our futures

Lifelong Learning

Makes us more interesting

Provides us with a fresh perspective

Allows us to make better, more

informed decisions

Assists us in becoming more

successful in our life and career

Why is Lifelong Learning Important?

“As we enter the 21st century, the information

age, your ability to expand your mind and

strive for continuous education is critical to

your success.

By dedicating yourself to lifelong learning, you

can leapfrog ahead of your competition.”

Brian Tracy

Why is Lifelong Learning Important?

That means your

knowledge has to double

every 2-3 years just to

keep up!

Information and

knowledge

in every field is

doubling every

2-3 years.

The Road to Career Success

It’s rare for people to

advance in their careers

without:

Career Assessment

Career Exploration

Career Development

Continuous Learning

Career Assessment

Know yourself Who am I?

What are my strengths?

Weaknesses?

What can I bring to the

table?

What are the priorities in

my life?

What do I enjoy doing?

What am I interested in?

Am I a “people person”?

What goals have I

accomplished?

Where am I right now?

Where do I want to be in 5

or 10 years?

Career Exploration

Explore career possibilities (O*NET)

Conduct informational interviews

Network

Find a mentor

Job Exploration and Research

Increasing Skills & Gaining Experience

Internships

Volunteering

Job shadowing

Practicing

Education/training

Researching

Career Development

Initiative

Competence

Continuous Improvement

Taking the Initiative

Be motivated

Do your job well and

do it right

Finish what you start

Seek new

opportunities

Use your time wisely

Perform job duties in a proficient and

efficient manner

Possess the skills and knowledge to

do the job well—be a “paid expert”

Seek out ways of staying

current with skills

Demonstrating Competence

Keys to Learning from Mistakes

I. Admit that you’ve made a mistake

II. Accept responsibility

III. Understand why the mistake occurred

IV. Reflect on the lesson you learned

V. Try to avoid repeating the same mistake

“Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot

be changed. The future is yet in your power.”

Hugh White

Learning from Your Mistakes

We’re taught to feel guilty when we make

mistakes and do everything we can to

avoid them

Look at mistakes as learning opportunities

Mistakes can make you both stronger and

smarter “Mistakes are only part of being human.

Appreciate your mistakes for what they are:

precious life lessons that can only be learned

the hard way.”Al Franken

Continuous Learning

In order to advance in your career, you

need to learn continuously The more you learn, the more you realize what you

don’t know

Learning is limitless

Never let yourself be tired of learning new

things, skills, and ideas

Top 10 Benefits of Lifelong Learning

I. Develops natural abilities

II. Opens the mind

III. Creates a curious, hungry mind

IV. Increases wisdom

V. Adds value to society

Top 10 Benefits of Lifelong Learning

VI. Helps adapt to change

VII. Helps find meaning in life

VIII. Involvement as an active contributor

IX. Develops new, valuable relationships

X. Leads to an enriching life of

self-fulfillment

Exercise Your Brain!

Lifelong learning is essential to living a full

and healthy life

You need a continual development of your

knowledge, skills, and attitude—especially

in the workforce

Lifelong learning keeps

our minds sharp, improves

memory, and increases

confidence

How to Exercise Your Brain

Read often

Learn new skills

Put skills into action

Learn in groups

Play games and puzzles

Learn new words

Practice your math

Draw or paint

Never avoid breakfast

Dedication to Lifelong Learning

“Knowledge is the primary source of

value in our world today and your

ability to expand your mind and devote

yourself to lifelong learning

is the key to breaking any

success barriers that may be

in front of you.”

Brian Tracy

Like what you saw?

We hope you found this information helpful. Check us out at

www.miworksmo.org.

• Give us any questions/comments/concerns

• See our workshop schedule

• Learn more about Michigan Works! Muskegon-Oceana

SOURCES

ACT, Career Ready 101, 2008, Thinking Media, a division of SAI Interactive, Inc. “What is Career Readiness?”

Berkun, Scott. “How to Learn From Your Mistakes.” Scottberkun.com. July 2005.

Career Advancement Instructor Guide. Goodwill Works Curriculum. Goodwill Industries International, Inc., 2009.

Career Advancement Participant Guide. Goodwill Works Curriculum. Goodwill Industries International, Inc., 2009.

“How to Learn From Mistakes.” Strategicbusinessteam.com. How to Start a Small Business and Invest Your Money Wisely. 2009-2011, Strategicbusinessteam.com.

Quotationspage.com. 1994-2010, Quotations Page.com and Michael Moncur.

“Lifelong Learning.” En.wikipedia.org.

“Lifelong Learning Attributes for Career Advancement – Perspectives from Chinese Proverbs.” Career-success-for-newbies. 2006, career-success-for-newbies.com.

Mills, Chris and Amanda Whitmore. Job Institute Manual. Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids. San Francisco, Cal.: Creative Commons, 2010.

Pettinger, Tejvan. “How to Learn From Mistakes.” Pickthebrain.com. Web. 2011, PickTheBrain.

“Take Initiative at Work, Take Success Home.” Career-Tools-HQ.com. 2008-2009, Career-Tools-HQ.com.