🎨 Education doesn't end with finishing uni: 5 easy ways to keep growing!

At a glance:

• Why you need to keep learning
• 5 simple ideas to challenge your brain
• My learning choices for this year

Our brain develops mostly until our twenties, perfectly aligning with the compulsory education journey. But should we end our education after high school and/or university studies? I think not!

However, the stereotype that we should stop learning post-uni does linger in our minds, making us a bit lazy. After finishing university, we are so relieved that the studying is over, but in fact, this should just be the beginning!

Human brain development along the human life. Source: Thompson and Nelson (2001: 8).

I always say that habits and building systems are crucial for success. Indeed, because your brain can operate these on autopilot, which is the beauty of habits—they become routine.

But a brain filled with just routine faces no challenges. And a brain without challenges will slowly lose its capabilities...

To keep your brain active and healthy for longer, you need to train it—just like your body or any skill you learn. "Practice makes the master."

Learning new skills not only keeps your brain active but also impacts your mood. It helps reduce stress and elevates your mood.

Today, I will share with you 5 easy learning methods to keep your brain growing and developing!

Why? To be happier, live a better life, and enjoy a healthy and active brain in retirement!

Your turn:

I challenge you to integrate these 5 simple approaches into your life and continuously learn new things.

Daily knowledge in an easily consumable way:

• Find 2-3 podcasts in your interest areas, such as work or side business topics.
• Listen to them for at least 30 minutes each day.

Tip: Link this with a habit to make it easier. It might be challenging to find a free 30 minutes, but what if you listen while preparing and eating breakfast, cooking, walking your dog, commuting, or exercising?

(Almost) daily knowledge, consciously consumed:

• Regularly read non-fiction/business books.
• Expert level: If you're not a native English speaker, read in English; if you are, choose another language.

If you struggle with business books, alternate them with fiction. Start with two days of fiction, then one day of a business book, repeating this pattern for a month. Gradually shift to a one-day fiction, one-day non-fiction routine

Always keep learning a language:

• If you studied a language previously, continue to improve.
• If not, now is the time: choose a language you've always wanted to learn.

What are simple steps to learn a language?

• Use an app to learn daily for a few minutes - e.g., Duolingo is good to start your journey.
• Have regular conversations with a native - e.g., via the online platform Preplay; you can find affordable prices there.
• Buy a book with idioms and phrasal verbs to learn casual language and study one idiom per day.
• Listen to podcasts in a foreign language (pro tip - you can focus on podcasts about grammar that help you become a master in spoken language).
• For beginners: Start with a two-week intensive course abroad to learn the basics. Then continue using the above tips.
• For those who struggle with habits: Sign up for a language course to support you in sticking to the habit.

Keep investing in your hobbies and passions:

• Schedule regular times for your hobbies, just for pleasure, without strict goals or schedules.
• If you don't have a regular hobby, find one and explore it. This is an excellent way to stimulate the creative part of your brain.

Try 1 new thing each year.

• Create a living document of things you've always wanted to try, adding new ideas as they come.
• Each year, pick one thing from your list and plan when you will start.
• Repeat this process annually!

My picks:

This is how I structured my routines around those five ideas:

Daily knowledge in an easily consumable way:

• I listen to podcasts when I exercise, commute, and on some walks.
• My top picks recently: neuroscience talks - I'm fascinated by the power of our minds.

(Almost) daily knowledge consumed consciously:

• I read books before bed, only non-fiction.
• My top pick recently: marketing bestsellers.

Always keep learning a language:

• Keep improving my Spanish!
• I have online classes twice a week.
• Listen to podcasts in the morning while getting ready.
• Do homework and grammar exercises.
• Regularly learn new idioms.
• Watch TV series or movies in Spanish (recently I reduced that in favor of more podcasts about neuroscience).

Keep investing in your hobbies and passions:

• I do puzzles and gardening.

Try 1 new thing each year:

• I will try new sport this year - thinking about yoga or boxing (far away from each other - I know).

Closing remarks:

My list is set!

Now, I'm waiting for you to create your own and start learning new skills daily. Choose something you're passionate about to ensure you stick with it and avoid struggles. That’s the goal!