How do I learn new things every day? As children, we were encouraged to learn something new every day. We did experiments at school, took part in extra-curricular activities, and joined cultural and activist groups during our college years.
Then something happened:
Adulthood.
We went from being curious children to adults dedicated to a 9-5 job (which the majority of us find unrewarding), adopting routines that rarely ever change.
Benedict Carey, the author of the book How We Learn, says that routine limits our brain’s ability to learn new skills and knowledge. This is worrisome because learning new things is important for our happiness.
You may have heard that the “brain is like a muscle.” Just like other muscles, you have to exercise the brain by learning new things. Yes, there is ample research that shows that learning helps build neuron connections and can stave off diseases like Parkinson’s. But there is a lot more about learning new things than just making the brain stronger. The act of learning actually makes us happier.
As Belle Beth Cooper writes about in her post on “Why New Things Make Us Feel So Good”, there is a section in the brain known as the SN/VTA.
The SN/VTA part of the brain is linked to the learning and memory parts, but it is best known as the “novelty center” because it lights up when exposed to new stimuli. You experience a rush of dopamine, which is one of the chemicals that motivates us towards rewards.
Here is what happens:
You experience something new.
The “novelty center” of your brain is activated.
You get a rush of dopamine.
Dopamine motivates you to follow through with the new thing.
You get another rush of dopamine when you finish the activity.
It is no surprise then that research has found dopamine is closely linked to the learning process. In short, learning new things stimulates happiness chemicals brain.
You’ll always have something to talk about at parties.
Can Relate to More People: The more you know, the more likely you are to find something in common with others. Empathy also helps bridge gaps in communication.
Builds Self-Esteem: Practice makes perfect, and when we see ourselves mastering new knowledge and skills, we build self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is our own faith that we can succeed at a given task, which closely overlaps with self-esteem and confidence.
Sets a Good Example: If you want your kids and loved ones to reap the same benefits of learning, lead by example!
Earn More Money: Depending on what you learn, you might build both technical or soft skills to advance your career.
lady jumping between mountains to reach job
Find a More Rewarding Career: It isn’t money which motivates us –having a sense of purpose motivates. Learning new skills makes you better-rounded so you can more easily find what you love to do.
Empowering: Learning gives you the information you need to make better-informed decisions in life.
You’ll Learn Easier and Faster: The more you practice learning, the denser the myelin white matter of your brain becomes and the stronger your neural pathways become.
Learning Fuels Creativity: As Positive Psychology champion Vanessa King says, ideas come from seemingly unrelated things. Learning new things can trigger ideas in other areas.
How to Learn Something New Right Now
Learning can be broken down into short-term and long-term learning. If you don’t necessarily want to embark on a big endeavor (such as learning to play an instrument), your brain can still benefit from learning smaller bits of information daily. Here are some ways to do that.
Ted Talks are famous for bringing a huge amount of topics by innovative thinkers. Ted-Ed takes learning a step further with engaging video lessons. Topics range from “the scientific way to cut a cake” to “how money laundering works.”
Americans are notoriously bad at geography, but the rest of the world probably isn’t too much better. The game GeoGuessr takes a unique approach to learning geography. You are shown a Google Maps photo and have to guess where it is. You might just find yourself saying things like, “Huh, I didn’t know that Afghanistan has such green forests!” It’s free to play.
Brought to you by scientists and game developers, Lumosity has a great collection of cognitive games you can play. You might not learn a concrete fact, but your brain will be challenged and grow!
Learning game screenshot from Lumosity website
Curiosity is a website that inspires people to get smarter. They do it by finding the most interesting news on a variety of topics. Just click what topic you are interested in learning about and you’ll find fascinating articles and videos.
A large vocabulary is not only impressive, but it allows you to express yourself better. Remember the book 1984 and how they started cutting words from the language as a form of mind control? Well, that’s the power of vocab! The website Vocabulary.com has come up with an adaptive learning game to help you learn more words easily.
Image of the lightbulb - how to learn something new every day
No brainer right? Humans process visuals quickly: It takes less than 1/10 of a second for your brain to get a sense of a visual. Absorbing new information using Rishudiaryis a quick and easy way to learn. Visual learning not only decreases comprehension time but sticks around longer in our memories. On Rishudiary you can spend 15 minutes per day perusing a Rishudiary on a topic of your choice.
Screenshot of Rishudiary where you can learn something new
Ways to Learn Long Term Skills
Ready to take on a bigger challenge? Learning new skills that require a longer-term commitment can be even more rewarding and stimulating for the brain. Every day, you build on what you learned the day before until you reach a level of mastery. Here are just some ideas of things you can start learning and where to start.
Online courses have the benefit of being comprehensive, guided learning experiences set at your own pace. One of the biggest hurdles of signing up for online courses is completion. Instead of finding larger blocks of time to power through courses, try to set aside a minimum of 15 minutes a day to work through courses. Steady wins the race!
Art, photography, creativity get a boost with classes on Creative Live. Whether you’re a beginner or an established artist looking to refine your skills and even build a business with them, this platform provides courses in a simulated live format.
The approach focuses on learning via interaction, which means that the online classroom also features a studio audience that appears on camera. The in-studio students, usually ranging from three to 15 people, interact with the instructor the way a live classroom would, creating a rich virtual experience.
Browse Daily Free On-Air Classes!
A January 2018 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that on average a person changes jobs 10-15 times, and that number is only increasing with increasing job mobility. Better job mobility also comes from more opportunities to learn new skills.
Skillshare features personalized, on-demand classes in categories like animation, graphic design, web development, business analytics, entrepreneurship, and marketing, to name a few. Productivity and lifestyle classes help you to make those skills go even further.
Personal Development Category (English)234x60
On Udemy, you can find over 55,000 online courses on topics ranging from web development to music training. Many basic level classes are free but there are paid courses as well.
Udacity is one of the most popular places to learn to code for free. They have videos, quizzes, and instructions so you can earn a “Nanodegree.” The courses are made by expert programmers and big companies like Google so they are definitely relevant to today’s job market and tech trends.
BitDegree differentiates itself through offering interactive & gamified courses, especially in the blockchain space. Universities are already embracing blockchain courses on campuses, based on growing interest from students. The cryptocurrency phenomenon is a global one, powered by bitcoin’s meteoric rise. Courses offered cover skills ranging from programming, marketing, machine learning to blockchain, and cryptocurrencies.
All small business owners and entrepreneurs need to know digital marketing techniques if they are going to stay relevant. Created by Google, Primer teaches marketing skills and delivers them indigestible 5-minute segments.
Coursera is one of the best places to find free online courses in higher education on just about any topic. The courses are offered by top universities in the US, helping you to extend your education from the comforts of your own home. Certificates are available for a fee. As an alternative, Iversity.org provides development courses from experts all over Europe. usually on very specific topics.
Today’s top companies aren’t just looking for skills like coding. They want people with soft skills like leadership, team management, creativity, and decision-making. MindTools has a great collection of mini-courses that teach you these skills.
Screenshot of Mind Tools website where you can learn something new
Not sure what you want to learn today? Just visit Instructables and view any one of the great DIY tutorials to learn a new skill.
16. Learn First Aid from the Red Cross App
First aid is something that everyone should know and refresh regularly. The American Red Cross has come up with a great app to help. It isn’t a substitute for an in-person course, but it does have bite-size courses on basics accompanied by videos and instructions.
Duolingo is an app that makes it easy to learn a new language thanks to its interactive method and how it breaks down lessons into small chunks. There are dozens of languages to choose from and the app is free to use!
Screenshot from Duolingo app where you can learn a new language
Writing is a fundamental cornerstone of communication and remains one of the most in-demand skills that employers look for. The app 750 Words helps you become a better writer by having you write a minimum of 750 words of a stream of conscious writing per day – a practice that is said to improve writing fluency and also help you learn about yourself in the process.
Gratitude is the key to happiness in life. What a lot of people don’t realize is that gratitude actually has to be learned and worked on. The app Mojo helps you rewire your brain to be more grateful by encouraging you to write at least five good things per day, rate the day, and add photos.
Why 15 Minutes a Day?
Drawing of a person reading underneath of a brain tree
It doesn’t have to be 15 minutes a day that you dedicate to learning something new. It could be 30 minutes, one hour, or even as little as 5 minutes per day. What matters is that you:
Dedicate a specific amount of time daily for learning new things.
Hold yourself accountable.
The reason the time-frame unit is so important is that people are more likely to stay motivated and succeed if they break goals into smaller units.
Implement What You’ve Learned!
jigsaw pieces - putting what you've learned to use in everyday life
Using these tools to learn something new every day is a great start. But the reality is that we are already bombarded with information daily.
How much?
According to Niklas Goeke, we consume 74.92 gigabytes of data every day. That’s enough to fill 9 DVDs with data – or 74 pickup trucks filled with paper!
All of the information we consume isn’t helping us achieve happiness or wellbeing in life. Instead, excessive info consumption drains us and fries our brains.
Of course, most of this info consumption is done during our (brain-killing) routines. Simply by breaking routine and making a point to learn new things is going to help you retain and utilize the info better.
But, to really reap the life-changing benefits of learning new things, follow this one important tip:
Share what you’ve learned with others.
Using what you've learned to grow
It can be on a daily learning blog. Or on social media. Or just make a point to tell your spouse what you’ve learned that day while you eat dinner together.
To reinforce your skills, utilizing specific techniques can help you learn faster. These include testing yourself regularly, finding ways to gain practical experience, rewarding yourself, and teaching others.
It may be difficult to find all that time. But the simple act of sharing your new knowledge and insight will help it stick and make the benefits of learning even more life-changing
Then something happened:
Adulthood.
We went from being curious children to adults dedicated to a 9-5 job (which the majority of us find unrewarding), adopting routines that rarely ever change.
Benedict Carey, the author of the book How We Learn, says that routine limits our brain’s ability to learn new skills and knowledge. This is worrisome because learning new things is important for our happiness.
Why Learning New Things Is Crucial for Happiness
Image of Embroidered brain art as an example of how learning makes us happierYou may have heard that the “brain is like a muscle.” Just like other muscles, you have to exercise the brain by learning new things. Yes, there is ample research that shows that learning helps build neuron connections and can stave off diseases like Parkinson’s. But there is a lot more about learning new things than just making the brain stronger. The act of learning actually makes us happier.
As Belle Beth Cooper writes about in her post on “Why New Things Make Us Feel So Good”, there is a section in the brain known as the SN/VTA.
The SN/VTA part of the brain is linked to the learning and memory parts, but it is best known as the “novelty center” because it lights up when exposed to new stimuli. You experience a rush of dopamine, which is one of the chemicals that motivates us towards rewards.
Here is what happens:
You experience something new.
The “novelty center” of your brain is activated.
You get a rush of dopamine.
Dopamine motivates you to follow through with the new thing.
You get another rush of dopamine when you finish the activity.
It is no surprise then that research has found dopamine is closely linked to the learning process. In short, learning new things stimulates happiness chemicals brain.
Other Benefits of Learning Something New relief sculpture of people floating on brain balloons
Learning Makes You More Interesting to Others:
You’ll always have something to talk about at parties.
Can Relate to More People: The more you know, the more likely you are to find something in common with others. Empathy also helps bridge gaps in communication.
Builds Self-Esteem: Practice makes perfect, and when we see ourselves mastering new knowledge and skills, we build self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is our own faith that we can succeed at a given task, which closely overlaps with self-esteem and confidence.
You’ll Make More Friends:
Because of the benefits of learning listed above, you’ll find it easier to meet people and make friends. Social interactions are essential for our happiness, so learning really does pay off in the long run!Sets a Good Example: If you want your kids and loved ones to reap the same benefits of learning, lead by example!
Earn More Money: Depending on what you learn, you might build both technical or soft skills to advance your career.
lady jumping between mountains to reach job
Find a More Rewarding Career: It isn’t money which motivates us –having a sense of purpose motivates. Learning new skills makes you better-rounded so you can more easily find what you love to do.
Empowering: Learning gives you the information you need to make better-informed decisions in life.
You’ll Learn Easier and Faster: The more you practice learning, the denser the myelin white matter of your brain becomes and the stronger your neural pathways become.
Learning Fuels Creativity: As Positive Psychology champion Vanessa King says, ideas come from seemingly unrelated things. Learning new things can trigger ideas in other areas.
How to Learn Something New Right Now
Learning can be broken down into short-term and long-term learning. If you don’t necessarily want to embark on a big endeavor (such as learning to play an instrument), your brain can still benefit from learning smaller bits of information daily. Here are some ways to do that.
1. Watch Ted ED
Ted Talks are famous for bringing a huge amount of topics by innovative thinkers. Ted-Ed takes learning a step further with engaging video lessons. Topics range from “the scientific way to cut a cake” to “how money laundering works.”
2. Play GeoGuessr
Americans are notoriously bad at geography, but the rest of the world probably isn’t too much better. The game GeoGuessr takes a unique approach to learning geography. You are shown a Google Maps photo and have to guess where it is. You might just find yourself saying things like, “Huh, I didn’t know that Afghanistan has such green forests!” It’s free to play.
3. Train Your Brain at Lumosity
Brought to you by scientists and game developers, Lumosity has a great collection of cognitive games you can play. You might not learn a concrete fact, but your brain will be challenged and grow!
Learning game screenshot from Lumosity website
4. Follow Curiosity
Curiosity is a website that inspires people to get smarter. They do it by finding the most interesting news on a variety of topics. Just click what topic you are interested in learning about and you’ll find fascinating articles and videos.
5. Build Your Vocabulary
A large vocabulary is not only impressive, but it allows you to express yourself better. Remember the book 1984 and how they started cutting words from the language as a form of mind control? Well, that’s the power of vocab! The website Vocabulary.com has come up with an adaptive learning game to help you learn more words easily.
Image of the lightbulb - how to learn something new every day
6. Follow Rishudiary
No brainer right? Humans process visuals quickly: It takes less than 1/10 of a second for your brain to get a sense of a visual. Absorbing new information using Rishudiaryis a quick and easy way to learn. Visual learning not only decreases comprehension time but sticks around longer in our memories. On Rishudiary you can spend 15 minutes per day perusing a Rishudiary on a topic of your choice.
Screenshot of Rishudiary where you can learn something new
Ways to Learn Long Term Skills
Ready to take on a bigger challenge? Learning new skills that require a longer-term commitment can be even more rewarding and stimulating for the brain. Every day, you build on what you learned the day before until you reach a level of mastery. Here are just some ideas of things you can start learning and where to start.
Online courses have the benefit of being comprehensive, guided learning experiences set at your own pace. One of the biggest hurdles of signing up for online courses is completion. Instead of finding larger blocks of time to power through courses, try to set aside a minimum of 15 minutes a day to work through courses. Steady wins the race!
7. Hone Creativity with Creative Live
Art, photography, creativity get a boost with classes on Creative Live. Whether you’re a beginner or an established artist looking to refine your skills and even build a business with them, this platform provides courses in a simulated live format.
The approach focuses on learning via interaction, which means that the online classroom also features a studio audience that appears on camera. The in-studio students, usually ranging from three to 15 people, interact with the instructor the way a live classroom would, creating a rich virtual experience.
Browse Daily Free On-Air Classes!
8. Pick Up Career Skills With Skillshare
A January 2018 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that on average a person changes jobs 10-15 times, and that number is only increasing with increasing job mobility. Better job mobility also comes from more opportunities to learn new skills.
Skillshare features personalized, on-demand classes in categories like animation, graphic design, web development, business analytics, entrepreneurship, and marketing, to name a few. Productivity and lifestyle classes help you to make those skills go even further.
Personal Development Category (English)234x60
9. Master New Skills at Udemy
On Udemy, you can find over 55,000 online courses on topics ranging from web development to music training. Many basic level classes are free but there are paid courses as well.
10. Learn Coding at Udacity
Udacity is one of the most popular places to learn to code for free. They have videos, quizzes, and instructions so you can earn a “Nanodegree.” The courses are made by expert programmers and big companies like Google so they are definitely relevant to today’s job market and tech trends.
11. Take Interactive Online Courses At BitDegree
BitDegree differentiates itself through offering interactive & gamified courses, especially in the blockchain space. Universities are already embracing blockchain courses on campuses, based on growing interest from students. The cryptocurrency phenomenon is a global one, powered by bitcoin’s meteoric rise. Courses offered cover skills ranging from programming, marketing, machine learning to blockchain, and cryptocurrencies.
12. Learn Digital Marketing with Primer
All small business owners and entrepreneurs need to know digital marketing techniques if they are going to stay relevant. Created by Google, Primer teaches marketing skills and delivers them indigestible 5-minute segments.
13. Take Online Courses at Coursera
Coursera is one of the best places to find free online courses in higher education on just about any topic. The courses are offered by top universities in the US, helping you to extend your education from the comforts of your own home. Certificates are available for a fee. As an alternative, Iversity.org provides development courses from experts all over Europe. usually on very specific topics.14. Learn Leadership Skills at MindTools
Today’s top companies aren’t just looking for skills like coding. They want people with soft skills like leadership, team management, creativity, and decision-making. MindTools has a great collection of mini-courses that teach you these skills.
Screenshot of Mind Tools website where you can learn something new
15. View Instructables
Not sure what you want to learn today? Just visit Instructables and view any one of the great DIY tutorials to learn a new skill.
16. Learn First Aid from the Red Cross App
First aid is something that everyone should know and refresh regularly. The American Red Cross has come up with a great app to help. It isn’t a substitute for an in-person course, but it does have bite-size courses on basics accompanied by videos and instructions.
17. Learn a New Language with Duolingo
Duolingo is an app that makes it easy to learn a new language thanks to its interactive method and how it breaks down lessons into small chunks. There are dozens of languages to choose from and the app is free to use!
Screenshot from Duolingo app where you can learn a new language
18. Become a Better Writer with 750 Words
Writing is a fundamental cornerstone of communication and remains one of the most in-demand skills that employers look for. The app 750 Words helps you become a better writer by having you write a minimum of 750 words of a stream of conscious writing per day – a practice that is said to improve writing fluency and also help you learn about yourself in the process.
19. Learn Gratitude with Mojo
Gratitude is the key to happiness in life. What a lot of people don’t realize is that gratitude actually has to be learned and worked on. The app Mojo helps you rewire your brain to be more grateful by encouraging you to write at least five good things per day, rate the day, and add photos.
Why 15 Minutes a Day?
Drawing of a person reading underneath of a brain tree
It doesn’t have to be 15 minutes a day that you dedicate to learning something new. It could be 30 minutes, one hour, or even as little as 5 minutes per day. What matters is that you:
Dedicate a specific amount of time daily for learning new things.
Hold yourself accountable.
The reason the time-frame unit is so important is that people are more likely to stay motivated and succeed if they break goals into smaller units.
Implement What You’ve Learned!
jigsaw pieces - putting what you've learned to use in everyday life
Using these tools to learn something new every day is a great start. But the reality is that we are already bombarded with information daily.
How much?
According to Niklas Goeke, we consume 74.92 gigabytes of data every day. That’s enough to fill 9 DVDs with data – or 74 pickup trucks filled with paper!
All of the information we consume isn’t helping us achieve happiness or wellbeing in life. Instead, excessive info consumption drains us and fries our brains.
Of course, most of this info consumption is done during our (brain-killing) routines. Simply by breaking routine and making a point to learn new things is going to help you retain and utilize the info better.
But, to really reap the life-changing benefits of learning new things, follow this one important tip:
Share what you’ve learned with others.
Using what you've learned to grow
It can be on a daily learning blog. Or on social media. Or just make a point to tell your spouse what you’ve learned that day while you eat dinner together.
To reinforce your skills, utilizing specific techniques can help you learn faster. These include testing yourself regularly, finding ways to gain practical experience, rewarding yourself, and teaching others.
It may be difficult to find all that time. But the simple act of sharing your new knowledge and insight will help it stick and make the benefits of learning even more life-changing
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