The familiar adage, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, is losing its credibility in these times. Competition is fierce, job markets are constantly evolving, technology is advancing, and you are best served by keeping up with the pack. This does not have to be a daunting or overwhelming chore. Learning new skills and challenging your mind isn’t something that you need to fear. It is something that can bring new opportunity into your life and allow you to accomplish your goals and achieve your dreams. Whether you are looking to get paid to travel, work abroad or even just improve your life at home, building on your education can be an excellent step in the right direction.

Making a commitment to yourself to continuously learn is important. Research shows that the more you’re willing to learn, the more likely you are to prosper and thrive at work, at home, and in your community. Now access to learning has become even easier. There are many different choices available, depending on your lifestyle, your location, and your available time. You no longer even have to leave the coziness of your home to continue your education.

People have different preferences on how they want to learn. Some prefer sitting in a classroom, some prefer self study with books, and some enjoy learning via their computer - or e-learning. Think about a learning experience you had in the past. Ask yourself what worked and what didn’t work.

Did you enjoy the social aspect of being with others? Did you like going out again after work to a community college or school? Did you prefer having a more flexible schedule so you could slip study time in between your family obligations? Or did you dread having to leave home late at night when it was dark to drive to class? Reflecting on past experiences can help you determine what worked for you and how best you can venture into a new challenge.

There are also three different styles of learning:

●         Visual -  these learners like to see what is being taught via written information, and visual aids – such as pictures or drawings on the blackboard or overheads.
●         Auditory – these people like to listen to instructions being explained. They can either be very distracted by noise and need a completely quiet environment, or they learn better when listening to music or if a TV is on in the background.
●         Kinesthetic or tactile – these students like to learn through physically performing tasks in a hands-on environment.

People can be a combination of two or even all three of these styles. Usually one is slightly more predominant than the others. Take five minutes and complete this quiz to ascertain your own particular style:

http://www.jobsetc.ca/toolbox/quizzes/styles_quiz.do?lang=e

Once you have determined the way you learn best and your writing style, you just need to decide what exciting new skill you want to acquire. Do you want to learn something for personal reasons; perhaps a new language to help you find your way around a new country for an upcoming vacation? Would you like to add to your skill set for an existing job? Find a way to get paid to travel or lock down a job abroad? Or how about planning farther ahead toward a change of careers completely? The possibilities are endless and the resources available to you are increasing all the time.

Some places to start looking for courses:

●         Community Colleges – There are thousands of community colleges that are offering continuing education classes. Their calendars often offer over 500 courses – surely something for everyone. Check out colleges in your area.

●         Parks and Recreation – Most cities offer a multitude of inexpensive courses from knitting, to dancing, to second language training. Flip through their calendars and see what is available.

●         On-line - Distance is not a factor. You can sign up for a course offered anywhere in the world. Goggle your area of interest and see what comes up. Pick and choose from thousands of options.

●         Check with your own human resources department – a lot of companies support employee learning. They may run their own on-line courses or have video and support materials for loan. Some companies even reimburse fees once an employee successfully completes a course.

We are never too old to learn. Do this for you, do this for your own well being and do this to feel better about yourself. It is never a waste of time to expand your mind and your horizons. You never know which new opportunity can open a door to the world and allow you to get out there and travel and work abroad.

Happy learning!