What is lifelong learning?

What is lifelong learning? Simply put, it’s the pursuit of knowledge that extends far beyond our formal education years. Sometimes that means enrolling in formal programs like certifications or advanced degrees, but it also includes self-directed exploration, new skills, and daily curiosity. Learning becomes an ongoing habit, one fueled by growth and the desire to stay adaptable.

We’re breaking down what it means to be a lifelong learner, why it matters, and how you can bring the mindset into your daily life.

Lifelong learning definition

Lifelong learning is the ongoing process of gaining knowledge, driven purely by curiosity and self-motivation. 

It is the cornerstone of personal and professional growth, and crucial to our ability to adapt to the ever-evolving world around us. Just as each day presents an opportunity to learn, it also offers a chance to apply that knowledge, refine your skills, and discover unexpected passions.

At its core, lifelong learning is less about a single achievement and more about a mindset of openness. It means recognizing that learning can take place anywhere, whether through formal study, hands-on practice, or even everyday experiences. By approaching challenges and changes with curiosity, you create space to develop your skills and discover new interests over time.

What does it mean to be a lifelong learner?

A lifelong learner is someone who continues to seek knowledge, no matter their age or stage of life. Outside influences, like educational or professional mandates, don’t often play a role in lifelong learning, meaning the lifelong student pursues knowledge of their own free will. In other words, a pure desire to gain more knowledge and a growth mindset are what drive a person to continue learning beyond their formal education years.

There are many ways to approach lifelong learning. Remember, lifelong learning education can include formal schooling, but it doesn’t have to. Instead, the core component of lifelong learning is a mindset rather than a syllabus. It’s about remaining curious and adapting habits based on new information. The defining traits of a lifelong learner include:

• Self-motivation: Taking the initiative to learn without external pressure.
• Flexibility: Adapting to new contexts, methods, and environments.
• Continuous improvement: Always seeking growth and refinement.
• Collaboration: Engaging with others to exchange ideas and learn together.
• Resilience: Viewing setbacks as opportunities for learning.
• Open-mindedness: A willingness to hear various perspectives 
• Critical thinking: Evaluating new information carefully

Cultivating the above traits is the best way to learn new skills and approach information with enthusiasm and curiosity.

What are examples of lifelong learning in everyday life and work? 

Lifelong learning can take many forms, from exploring new hobbies to training for career-related certifications. 

Lifelong learning means approaching each stage of life as an opportunity to expand your skills and perspective, whether for personal enrichment or professional growth. It can be taking a class or picking up a new book each week. Other common real-life examples of lifelong learning include:

Professional development

If you’re working in digital marketing, for example, you might want to continually update your skills to stay current with new tools, platforms, or strategies. This could involve attending workshops, online courses, or industry conferences to stay on top of the latest trends.

Acquiring new skills

Let’s say you decide to learn a new language or play a musical instrument in your spare time. This pursuit would not only enrich your personal life, but it would also engage your cognitive abilities and foster a learning habit.

Health and wellness

Lifelong learning can involve adopting healthier habits or learning more about nutrition and fitness. If that’s something that interests you, perhaps you’d commit to learning a new healthy recipe each week or different types of workout routines.

Social issues and awareness

Lifelong learning can also entail educating yourself about social issues or causes. This could include reading books, watching documentaries, attending lectures, or participating in discussions about climate change, social justice, global politics, and more.

Parenting

Becoming a parent requires a great deal of lifelong learning, from understanding developmental milestones to managing challenging behaviors. If you’re a parent or would like to be one someday, you might attend parenting classes, read books on child development, or participate in online forums for advice and support.

Career transition

If you’re looking to change careers, lifelong learning could mean going back to school, taking an online certification course, attending networking events, or job shadowing in your desired industry to learn more about potential roles and responsibilities.

How can you practice lifelong learning every day? 

Lifelong learning isn’t limited to classrooms or campuses. While enrolling in a higher education course is one option, most growth happens through non-formal experiences woven into daily life. From small shifts in habits to intentional skill-building, the way you approach learning each day shapes your long-term growth. Below are mindset strategies and practical actions that make continuous learning sustainable.

Mindset strategies

How you think is just as important as what you learn. These mindset strategies help you make the most of new information:

• Curiosity: Examine new information with an open mind, asking questions, and challenging your own thinking.
• Goal-setting: Decide what your learning goals are, and lay out an action plan to get there
• Tracking progress: Test your knowledge with quizzes or even conversations with topic experts.
• Resilience: Don’t give up when progress feels slow. Your brain needs repetitive action to grow.

Together, these strategies help you think like a lifelong learner and get the most out of new experiences.

Practical daily actions

What is lifelong learning going to look like on a daily basis? Below are concrete ways you can make learning a part of your routine:

• Reading books, articles, or blogs
• Listening to podcasts or lectures
• Enrolling in online courses or webinars
• Attending workshops, conferences, or meetups
• Networking with peers and mentors
• Volunteering or community involvement
• Practicing new skills
• Using learning apps to improve memory or test your knowledge 

When practiced consistently, these simple habits compound over time, creating lasting growth.

Lifelong learning vs. continuing education: What’s the difference? 

Lifelong learning and continuing education are often used interchangeably, but they are actually not the same. Both involve learning beyond K through 12. However, continuing education is usually tied to professional pursuits, while lifelong learning is more of a general desire to keep expanding one’s knowledge, regardless of career requirements.

Continuing education describes formal, structured programs with a career-oriented end goal, like a certification or license. Examples include:

• Continuing legal education courses
• Nursing license renewal programs
• Professional certification workshops for jobs like HVAC technician or medical assistant

Lifelong learning has a broader definition. As we’ve discussed, many define lifelong learning as the pursuit of knowledge for any reason, including personal interests, understanding new technology, or professional goals. It can be formal, but it doesn’t need to be. Examples of lifelong learning include:

• Learning a language
• Exploring a hobby
• Joining a book club
• Participating in discussion groups

As you can see, lifelong learning and continuing education overlap in some ways, but they are also different in several ways. The difference comes down to scope: lifelong learning can cover any pursuit of knowledge, while continuing education is tied to formal programs with specific outcomes.

How does lifelong learning help professional development? 

Lifelong learning is one of the best ways to remain competitive in any career field. It ensures you stay adaptable and continue to learn new, relevant skills. Industries are always evolving, so being a lifelong learner means you’ll grow with them.

• Career adaptability: As a lifelong learner, you’ll keep up with industry trends, learning new tools and technologies as they emerge. Adaptability is the only way to stay current, making you a desirable candidate.
• Skill growth and advancement: When people talk about lifelong education meaning, they’re pointing to the habit of continuously building knowledge throughout adulthood. That steady commitment makes adult learning essential for career growth, paving the way for promotions, new skills, and even complete career shifts.
• Innovation and problem-solving: Lifelong learners tend to be critical thinkers, capable of looking at a problem from multiple angles. Their creativity helps them find solutions others can’t see.
• Professional confidence: By routinely sharpening your mind, you’ll feel ready to tackle new challenges head-on. The more you learn, the broader your toolbox will be.
• Workplace value: Employers value lifelong learners because they help organizations stay ahead of the curve. As a lifelong learner, you can play a key role in your company’s long-term success.

By committing to continuous growth, you position yourself to thrive in your career and contribute lasting value to the organizations and communities you serve.

How has the digital age changed lifelong learning?

Lifelong learning in the digital age makes heavy textbooks and the physical classroom a thing of the past, leveraging technology for knowledge acquisition instead. Internet-based tools like web pages and mobile apps have removed common barriers, paving the pathway to education through:

• Accessibility: The internet and mobile apps have made it possible for you to access a vast array of learning materials anytime, anywhere, removing geographical or time constraints.
• Affordability: Many online courses, webinars, and educational resources are free or at a lower cost than traditional educational offerings, making them much more affordable.
• Variety: Digital tools provide a diverse range of learning opportunities across various subjects and skill levels, allowing you to explore multiple areas of interest.

Looking closer, technology also changes the experience of learning, making it easier to fit growth into the flow of daily life:

• On-demand learning: Mobile apps provide instant access to educational content, enabling learners to engage with materials at their own pace and according to their preferred schedules.
• Mobile learning: Smartphones and tablets allow learners to access courses, articles, podcasts, brain training apps, and other resources while on the go, facilitating continuous learning in various contexts (like in a waiting room, for example).
• Community building: Social media platforms and online forums enable learners to connect with others who share their interests, exchange ideas, and participate in discussions or collaborative projects.

Start your lifelong journey

Lifelong learning is about cultivating a growth mindset, remaining curious, and being consistent in your pursuit of knowledge at every stage of life. 

Elevate offers practical tools for sharpening your mind, with brain training games that help strengthen skills like reading, writing, speaking, memory, and math. Our tools are designed to make learning fun and easy to integrate into daily life.

The Balance app will fortify your focus for better learning outcomes. Named a “Best App of the Year” by Google, Balance provides practical methods for combating stress and increasing calmness—the building blocks of a growth mindset.

Together, Elevate and Balance work hand in hand to support your lifelong learning journey, one sharpening your skills and the other your focus. Explore Balance and Elevate today and take the first step on your lifelong learning journey.

FAQ: What is lifelong learning?

Have questions about lifelong learning? You’re not alone. Here are answers to some of the most common questions we hear.

What does lifelong learning mean?

While there’s no official definition, many define a lifelong learner as someone who seeks out information for personal or professional reasons, through every stage of life. Essentially, lifelong learning describes the pursuit of new information beyond one’s formal education years.

What is the best example of lifelong learning?

The best example of lifelong learning is one that feels sustainable and meaningful to you. For some, that might be pursuing an online certification to advance their career. For others, it could be learning a new language, joining a book club, or practicing a creative skill like painting or music.

What are the 4 pillars of lifelong learning?

The four pillars of lifelong learning are knowledge, skills, understanding, and aptitude. Knowledge refers to concepts and principles; skills refer to real-world application of information; understanding refers to the ability to connect ideas; aptitude refers to natural ability.

What is the purpose of lifelong learning?

The purpose of lifelong learning can be to strengthen relationships, advance one’s career, build practical skills, or simply understand the world better. However, it varies from person to person.