Lifelong Learning

The National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification requires 100 hours of continuing education every five years. Last week, I signed up for online continuing education courses in order to bang out the 100-hour requirement before June of this year when my five years is up.

A few months ago, in my blog “Getting to Yes” I shared how my plan to become a licensed professional counselor fell through and I had to go in a different direction with my post military career. So why in the world would I spend time completing 100 hours of continuing education for a field in which I will most likely never work?

Because I am conditioned to pursue lifelong learning! Also, the subject matter interests me! Where did I gain this desire for lifelong learning? The military of course. Now, three years removed from service, I guess some old habits are hard to break.

Many might be surprised to learn of the incredible emphasis our military places on the pursuit of lifelong learning. I was a bit skeptical of the whole “warrior-scholar” concept when I first joined but after two decades, I definitely became a true believer!

Symbolism from Athena, the mythological god of war and wisdom features prominently in many military learning environments. Her helmet is on the Military Academy’s crest! This week’s featured pic is of the replica Parthenon or Athena’s temple in Nashville, TN

Over my 24-year military career, I spent four years in academic environments! During these four years I wasn’t learning how to blow things up better, I was learning “how” to think. This is really the essence of lifelong learning.

So, I guess you can say lifelong learning was kind of ingrained in me during my former profession. How does this translate into my everyday life now as a civilian again? Although my formal education days are probably over, I still apply many of the lifelong learning practices I learned in the military.

I’ve found to be a lifelong learner; one must be an active listener. I try to listen as best I can to others at work, in our side business or pretty much anywhere. I am fortunate to be able to retain and recall much of what I hear.

Probably also as a result of my military background, I am an avid note taker. There are so many professionals out there who will gladly share their knowledge on just about any topic but it’s only useful if we retain! In my humble opinion, one should always take notes when engaging with a professional.

Active listening goes beyond just professionals. It means taking the time to listen to everyone. This may include spending some time with the elders in our life. Everyone has a unique perspective and there is always something to learn!

In addition to being an active listener to enable lifelong learning, we must be active readers. I never realized it, but I guess I picked up this trait as a child. When I was 10 my parents bought me a set of 1969 World Book encyclopedias. Mind you, this was 1983 so the info was already 14 years old! But in the pre-internet, pre-cable TV days and when there was nothing more exciting to do, I would often find myself reading those encyclopedias for hours.

I know, pretty nerdy but I gained a wealth of knowledge. A few years later that extra knowledge helped me make my high school quiz bowl team (even nerdier). Having high school quiz bowl as an extracurricular probably helped me earn an Army ROTC scholarship. Who would have thought spending time reading encyclopedias as a kid would eventually help pay for college?

Lastly, in addition to listening, reading or participating in formal education, international travel is another great way to learn.  I’ve been fortunate to earn a bachelor’s and two master’s Degrees, but some of the best educational experience I’ve encountered has been during my travels overseas.

I will be glad when these pandemic era travel restrictions are lifted! Traveling abroad broadens our perspective on so many things in our daily life. I shared more thoughts on the benefits of international travel last summer.

Lifelong learning doesn’t mean earning as many degrees or formal certifications as possible! Experience is the best teacher and whether listening to others, reading a book, traveling or just living through the daily grind, maximize every opportunity to learn. Lifelong learning keeps us continually growing and building knowledge and of course, knowledge is money!

Want to learn more about the knowledge is money financial truth? Check out my book, Millionaire on a Worker’s Budget: Five Financial Truth’s to Build Wealth on sale now at Amazon!

The commentary provided in this blog and in my books are for informational purposes only and not intended to be a source of financial or investing advice. Views, opinions and biases expressed in this blog are the authors and do not reflect those of the U.S. Army or Department of Defense.

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