15 habits of people who are always learning and growing professionally

If you’re not learning, you’re not growing. 

The thing is that learning doesn’t have to end with school. In fact, for a lot of us, it’s a lifelong practice.

There’s always something to learn, whether it be about yourself, the world around you, or your profession. That’s why you’ll find that most successful people are lifelong learners who are constantly growing professionally as well as personally.

So, if you think your career could use a boost, take a look at these 15 habits of people who are always learning and growing professionally.

1) They take online courses

It has literally never been easier to learn than it is today.

All you need is to have access to the World Wide Web and you’ll have an endless supply of learning material – from Wikipedia articles to various YouTube tutorials.

And if you want to take things further and really dig into a specific subject, then you can do what people who’re always learning do – take an online course.  

Personally, I’ve taken a bunch of courses, from psychology for beginners to watercolor painting to internet governance.

Go on, take advantage of the various online learning platforms available. And if you’re worried about money, don’t be! There are many free courses you can take.

If you’re not sure where to begin, check out what Coursera has to offer.

2) They attend workshops and conferences

Now, if you don’t really care about climbing up the professional ladder, you can do your 9 to 5 and go home.

But if you want to grow professionally, then you should seize every opportunity that comes your way.

Taking an active part in workshops, seminars, and conferences, is a great way to learn new things and stay up to date with the latest trends.

Moreover, it’s the perfect opportunity to network. That brings me to my next point…

3) They know how to network

Networking is another habit of people who are always learning and growing.

What that means is that they build and nurture relationships with their coworkers, industry professionals, and mentors. Why? Because it leads to various opportunities.

Now, I know that networking doesn’t come easily to everyone. Some people are more withdrawn and feel uncomfortable making and maintaining connections for work purposes.

So, what’s the solution?

Fake it.

Pretend that you like networking and get out there because networking is essential if you want to achieve professional growth.

You’ll get used to it with time, trust me.

4) They’re avid readers

The thing about lifelong learners is that they make reading part of their daily routine.

They know that reading is one of the main ways to obtain knowledge so they’ll go through anything they can get their hands on related to their work – books, articles, and research papers.

They also like to keep up to date on current events so chances are they subscribe to several newspapers.

But that’s not all, they also read fiction for pleasure! That’s right, even though it may not be directly related to their work, it stimulates their minds and imaginations.

5) They’re curious

Okay, so you don’t necessarily have to be curious to learn and grow, but it sure is a good incentive.

You see, people who are always learning and growing are motivated by their natural curiosity about the world as well as their profession.

In other words, their curiosity is what pushes them to keep learning and to expand their knowledge in both their field and related subjects.

6) They have clear goals

It sure helps to set clear goals you can work toward, don’t you think?

People who are constantly growing and climbing up the corporate ladder usually like to set specific, clear, and achievable professional goals.  

Once they have their goals, they can come up with actionable plans to reach them.

And this doesn’t have to just be about work, you can apply it to your life in general. Setting clear goals is the first step in making them a reality.

7) They’re tech-savvy

Another habit of people who are always learning and growing professionally is that they’re tech-savvy.

They don’t have to work in IT to know the importance of staying on top of various technology trends.

Even if their work doesn’t directly involve computers, social media, or artificial intelligence, it sure is useful to know what’s going on in the world. Plus you never know when that information could come in handy.

8) They like to try new things

A lot of people think, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” 

Fair enough, it’s a valid point of view.

But, if you want to learn and make progress, you may have to change the way you look at things.

You see, people who are constantly growing aren’t afraid to try new approaches, technologies, or strategies, all for the sake of being more efficient.

Good enough is just not good enough for them. I guess that’s why they’re so successful.

9) They love to get feedback

The thing about people who are constantly learning and growing is that they’re not afraid to hear the truth.

In fact, they actively seek out feedback from their peers and there’s nothing they appreciate more than constructive criticism.

And where other people may get their feelings hurt, they look at feedback as an opportunity to learn something and improve what they’re doing.

10) They keep a journal

Did you know that a lot of successful people keep a journal?

It’s true.

But this isn’t your typical journal full of crushes and gossip.

Actually, it’s a great place to write down one’s thoughts and ideas, as well as to reflect on lessons learned and make observations about different experiences.

The best part about journaling is that sometimes the very act of writing something down gives you a different perspective and makes things clearer.

In fact, if you’re looking for a solution to a complex problem or trying to come up with some interesting ideas, start by getting a journal.

11) They manage their time effectively

There’s a lot to be said for time management.

You’d be surprised at how many people are bad at it. My uncle is like that. He’s always stressed and juggling 5 things at once. But when you actually take a look at what he’s doing, it’s not like he’s got more to do than anyone else.

So, if you want to manage your time better, a good place to start is to let go of the idea of multitasking. It doesn’t work.

Instead, make a list of everything you need to do and start checking off each item, one by one.

12) They’re not afraid to ask for help

Look, if you want to learn new things and grow, then you can’t be too proud to seek guidance and ask for help.

People who are always learning and growing professionally usually have a mentor or someone more experienced who they turn to for advice and insight.

They’re eager to learn and if they don’t know something, they’re not embarrassed about the fact. By asking someone who knows, they have a chance to learn, so why not?

13) They take care of themselves

Anyone who knows anything knows how important it is to take care of one’s body and mind.

That’s why people who are always learning and growing make sure to prioritize self-care.  

I mean, no matter what you want to do, you need to be well, right? Here’s what you can do:

• If you want to increase your energy levels and improve your focus, make sure to exercise regularly, eat healthily, and get enough sleep. Plus, when your body is well-nourished and rested, you’re better equipped to absorb new information, engage in critical thinking, and solve complex problems.
• And when it comes to taking care of your mind, you need to find some good stress management strategies like meditation, yoga, and various relaxation techniques. Managing stress will help you approach problems with a clear mind and make better decisions. What’s more, when you’re emotionally balanced, you’re better equipped to handle setbacks, criticism, and all the uncertainties we have to face in life in order to learn and grow.

14) They’re adaptable

The truth is that you can’t resist change if you want to progress and grow. That’s why people who are always learning are adaptable and flexible.

They see new industry trends and technological advancements as opportunities to grow.

What’s more, they’re not attached to “the old ways”. When new information and knowledge become available, they’re happy to leave their old habits behind for newer more effective ones.

So if you want to move forward in your career, you need to be open to change and progress.

15) They accept the possibility of failure

People who are always learning and growing aren’t afraid of failure.

Why?

Because you can’t learn anything new without making some mistakes along the way, it’s a natural part of the process.

You see, every time you make a mistake or “fail”, you shouldn’t feel bad and beat yourself up about it, instead, you should see it as a learning opportunity and a way to better yourself.

So if you want to learn and grow, you need to stop being so scared of failure and just accept it as inevitable.