What is Lifelong Learning?

Lifelong learning is a surprisingly self explanatory concept, ideology or lifestyle where one chooses to continue learning throughout their lifetime. To lifelong learners, learning is a vital part of their existence and can be achieved in formal or informal settings. Following this ideology, new skills, understanding and knowledge are grasped, enhanced, and refined on a daily life-long basis. By nature, lifelong learning supports the pursuit of knowledge at any age and at any stage in life (10 Habits of a Lifelong Learner | PLNU, 2025). 

While there are numerous benefits to lifelong learning, three of the most valuable include exercising the brain, improving quality of life, and creating career opportunities (10 Habits of a Lifelong Learner | PLNU, 2025). 

Below is a TEDx Talk by Ingrid Bianca Byerly who expands on the concept of lifelong learning, specifically its benefit for those in the retirement stage of life:

Motivation Matters

Motivation is the key for lifelong learners. Whether that be intrinsically or extrinsically, without some form of motivation learning will not happen. Dr. Jeremy Sutton explains that there are six important benefits for motivation related to attaining goals, which can be applied to the lifelong learning journey (2024). These include the following:

  1. Increased engagement 
  2. Heightened performance 
  3. Improved persistence and resilience
  4. Deeper learning
  5. Positive wellbeing
  6. Goal achievement

Check out the full article here!

Additionally, understanding what influences motivation is key to developing a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Raymond Wlodkowski summaries the influence of motivation into four broad categories (1991):

  • Culture: Each culture places a different amount of value in learning which can be reflected in their traditions, parenting styles and religion. Those who are part of cultures with an emphasis on education tend to develop a stronger motivation for lifelong learning.
  • Family: While this is not always the case, families who are academically driven tend to produce children who also have a passion for learning.
  • School: A supportive teacher can change the trajectory of a learner’s life. Being in a learning intuition from a young age that encourages creativity and learning often fosters a culture of lifelong learning.
  • Learners: The life experiences of learners have a direct impact on their desire to pursue lifelong learning of any capacity. 

Sources of Motivation in Lifelong Learners

Lifelong learners find motivation to pursue knowledge for a variety of reasons. Usually these fall into one of four categories:

Figure created by Eleonora. Data from this graph taken from Lifelong Learning: What it is and Why it Matters by JWU (2024)

Ultimately, the choice to continue with lifelong learning stems from a desire for internal growth and the attainment of new knowledge, as opposed to reinforcing previously encountered materials or ideas. According to an investigation by a group of colleagues at the Deloitte Center for the Edge, those driven to learn do so for the common underlying reason that they are passionate about gaining new knowledge. They called this the passion of the explorer. They concluded that passion is one of the most powerful motivators for learning (John Hagel III, 2021). 

Staying Motivated: A Challenge 

As we have already uncovered some of the benefits of lifelong learning, it is important to acknowledge some of its challenges. Understanding the challenges surrounding lifelong learning can help people better prepare themselves to overcome these difficulties. Below is a diagram depicting a few of the key challenges faced by lifelong learners and how they can be overcome:

Figure created by Eleonora. Data from this graph taken from Overcoming Hurdles: Strategies for Lifelong Learning Triumphs by Learnful & Ormsby (2024)

Additionally, this wonderful resource by Clayton State University shares How to Stay Motivated as a Lifelong Learner: Tips for Success.

Parting Thoughts 

Lifelong learning is a journey and one that provides countless opportunities for growth for anyone in any walk of life. Motivation plays a key part in helping shape the lifelong learning lifestyle. 

Watch out for our next post that connects motivation to open and distributed learning! 

 

References

10 Habits of a Lifelong Learner | PLNU. (2025, April 25). Point Loma Nazarene University. https://www.pointloma.edu/resources/accelerated-undergraduate/10-habits-lifelong-learner

How to Stay Motivated as a Lifelong Learner: Tips for Success – Continuing and Professional Education – Clayton State University. (2025, February 24). https://claytonstatecape.com/how-to-stay-motivated-as-a-lifelong-learner-tips-for-success/

John Hagel III. (2021, October 11). What Motivates Lifelong Learners. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2021/10/what-motivates-lifelong-learners

JWU. (2024, January 25). Lifelong Learning: What It Is and Why It Matters. JWU Online. https://online.jwu.edu/blog/lifelong-learning-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters/

Learnful, & Ormsby, S. (2024, March 5). Overcoming Hurdles: Strategies for Lifelong Learning Triumphs. Learnful. https://learnful.ie/articles/overcoming-hurdles-strategies-for-lifelong-learning-triumphs/

Raymond J. Wlodkowski. (1991). Developing Motivation For Lifelong Learning. Context Institute. https://www.context.org/iclib/ic27/wlodkski/

Sutton, J. (2024, November 29). 6 Important Benefits of Motivation For Attaining Goals. PositivePsychology.Com. https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-motivation/#the-6-main-benefits-of-motivation

TEDx Talks. (2022, September 26). The New Fountain of Youth: Lifelong Learning | Ingrid Bianca Byerly | TEDxStGerorgeSalon [Video]. Youtube. https://youtu.be/TnnG9xAqBkI?si=N01n__CJrHVG6yGB