How Do You Keep Growing When the World Keeps Changing?
Blog post description.After 50, Experience Is an Advantage—but Only If You Stay Curious Enough to Keep Growing.
HEALTHWEALTHINCOMEMONEYFAITHFINANCESLIFE AFTER 50PURPOSEINNER STRENGTH
Coach Marcus Jones
10/11/202616 min read
How Do You Keep Growing When the World Keeps Changing?
After 50, Experience Is an Advantage—but Only If You Stay Curious Enough to Keep Growing.
By Coach Marcus Jones
There is one sentence I never want to start saying as I get:
Older.
“I'M TOO OLD TO LEARN THAT.”
Too old for:
Technology.
Too old for:
AI.
Too old to start a:
Business.
Too old to understand:
Investing.
Too old to learn a new:
Skill.
Too old to change how I:
Think.
Because the moment we decide we're too old to:
Learn...
we begin giving the changing world permission to move forward without:
Us.
And I don't believe getting older should mean becoming less:
Curious.
I believe it should mean becoming more:
Intentional.
At this stage of life, we have something younger people don't:
Decades of experience.
But experience becomes even more powerful when we combine it with:
New knowledge.
That's the combination I want:
EXPERIENCE + CURIOSITY.
Wisdom from what I've already:
Lived...
combined with a willingness to learn what I don't yet:
Know.
Because the world isn't going to stop:
Changing.
Technology will:
Change.
Business will:
Change.
Healthcare will:
Change.
Communication will:
Change.
Money will:
Change.
The workplace will:
Change.
And opportunities will:
Change.
The question isn't whether change is:
Coming.
The question is:
WILL YOU KEEP LEARNING ENOUGH TO CHANGE WITH IT?
That's why lifelong learning becomes so important after:
You're not finished.
Your brain isn't finished.
Your curiosity doesn't have to be:
Finished.
And your next great opportunity may be sitting on the other side of something you haven't learned:
Yet.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Why lifelong learning matters after 50
Why experience and curiosity are a powerful combination
What happens when you stop learning
Why learning isn't limited to formal education
How learning supports cognitive engagement
Why physical activity also matters for brain health
How learning new technology can increase independence
Why AI shouldn't automatically intimidate older adults
How new skills can create income opportunities
Why financial education becomes increasingly important
How learning can build confidence
Why learning helps connect generations
How hobbies can keep life interesting
Why travel can become an education
How reading expands perspective
Why teaching others strengthens your own learning
How to become comfortable being a beginner again
Why curiosity may matter more than knowing everything
How to create your personal lifelong-learning plan
QUICK ANSWER: WHY SHOULD YOU KEEP LEARNING AS YOU GET OLDER?
Because learning helps you remain:
Engaged.
Curious.
Adaptable.
Connected.
Confident.
Learning can help you develop:
Skills.
Explore new:
Interests.
Understand new:
Technology.
Make more informed:
Decisions.
And discover opportunities you may never have known:
Existed.
But there is another reason.
Learning makes life more:
Interesting.
There is always something else to:
Discover.
And I never want to reach an age where I believe I already know:
Enough.
YOUR BRAIN DOESN'T NEED A RETIREMENT PARTY
Retirement may mean leaving your:
Job.
It doesn't mean retiring your:
Mind.
Your brain still needs:
Engagement.
Challenges.
Conversation.
New experiences.
HEALTHY AGING ISN'T ONLY ABOUT YOUR BODY
Your mind matters:
Too.
The National Institute on Aging notes that staying cognitively engaged through meaningful activities may benefit cognitive health, while also emphasizing that evidence for lasting cognitive benefits from specific commercial brain-training programs remains limited.
That's an important distinction.
You don't need to buy every:
Brain game.
You need a life that keeps you:
Engaged.
KEEP USING YOUR MIND
Read.
Write.
Study.
Learn.
Solve problems.
Have meaningful conversations.
Try unfamiliar:
Things.
YOUR BRAIN LIKES A CHALLENGE
Not necessarily overwhelming:
Stress.
A:
Challenge.
Something that requires:
Attention.
Thought.
Practice.
LEARNING SOMETHING NEW CAN MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE A BEGINNER AGAIN
And that's exactly why some people avoid:
It.
Nobody likes feeling:
Clumsy.
Slow.
Confused.
Especially after spending decades becoming good at what they already:
Know.
BEING A BEGINNER ISN'T EMBARRASSING
It's evidence that you're:
Growing.
Think about the first time you:
Drove.
Used a computer.
Started your career.
Everything was once:
New.
YOU BECAME COMPETENT BY FIRST BEING INCOMPETENT
That's how learning:
Works.
Give yourself permission to be bad at something:
Temporarily.
STOP EXPECTING YOURSELF TO KNOW SOMETHING YOU HAVEN'T LEARNED YET
That's unfair.
Instead say:
“I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THAT YET.”
That one word matters:
Yet.
EXPERIENCE + NEW KNOWLEDGE IS A POWERFUL COMBINATION
Young people may have grown up with newer:
Technology.
That's an advantage.
But after 50, you may bring:
Judgment.
Perspective.
Experience.
Relationships.
Pattern recognition.
Professional knowledge.
DON'T COMPETE WITH YOUNGER PEOPLE AT BEING YOUNG
Bring what you:
Know...
and continue learning what you:
Don't.
That's a much better:
Strategy.
LEARN TECHNOLOGY
Technology can feel:
Overwhelming.
Just when you understand one:
Platform...
here comes another.
But refusing to learn technology can eventually reduce your:
Options.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BECOME A TECH EXPERT
Learn enough to make technology work for:
You.
Learn:
Video calls.
Online banking.
Digital security.
Cloud storage.
Smartphone features.
Social media.
AI tools.
TECHNOLOGY SHOULD BECOME A TOOL — NOT A SOURCE OF FEAR
Ask somebody to:
Teach you.
Watch a tutorial.
Take a:
Class.
Practice.
DON'T HAND OVER YOUR INDEPENDENCE BECAUSE A SCREEN CONFUSES YOU
Learn the:
Screen.
AI IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE
Artificial intelligence is changing how people:
Research.
Write.
Create.
Analyze.
Communicate.
Build businesses.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO UNDERSTAND HOW AI WORKS INTERNALLY TO LEARN HOW TO USE IT RESPONSIBLY
You probably don't understand every component inside your:
Car.
You still:
Drive.
The same principle applies to many:
Tools.
LEARN WHAT THE TOOL CAN DO.
LEARN WHAT IT CAN'T DO.
LEARN WHERE HUMAN JUDGMENT STILL MATTERS.
That's responsible:
Learning.
DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING AI TELLS YOU
AI can make:
Mistakes.
Verify important:
Information.
Especially:
Medical.
Financial.
Legal.
And other high-stakes:
Decisions.
USE TECHNOLOGY TO EXTEND YOUR ABILITY — NOT REPLACE YOUR THINKING
That's the sweet:
Spot.
KEEP LEARNING ABOUT YOUR HEALTH
What you were taught about health decades ago may not represent everything we know:
Today.
Research evolves.
Guidelines change.
Treatments improve.
BECOME AN INFORMED PARTICIPANT IN YOUR OWN HEALTHCARE
Ask your healthcare professionals:
Questions.
Understand your:
Numbers.
Know your:
Medications.
Learn about:
Nutrition.
Exercise.
Sleep.
BUT DON'T CONFUSE INTERNET RESEARCH WITH MEDICAL TRAINING
Being informed doesn't mean diagnosing:
Yourself.
Use credible information to have better conversations with qualified:
Professionals.
LEARN HOW YOUR BODY CHANGES WITH AGE
Strength.
Mobility.
Recovery.
Sleep.
Nutrition.
Cardiovascular health.
THE MORE YOU UNDERSTAND, THE BETTER QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK
Knowledge can help you become a more engaged participant in your:
Health.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY MATTERS FOR YOUR BRAIN TOO
Learning isn't the only thing that supports healthy:
Aging.
Physical activity matters.
Federal physical-activity guidance notes that regular activity provides benefits for physical and mental health, including benefits relevant to brain health.
TRAIN YOUR BODY AND YOUR MIND
Read the:
Book.
Then take the:
Walk.
Learn the:
Skill.
Then lift the:
Weights.
HEALTHY AGING ISN'T EITHER PHYSICAL OR MENTAL
It's:
Both.
KEEP LEARNING ABOUT MONEY
This becomes extremely important after:
You may be approaching:
Retirement.
Managing:
Investments.
Thinking about:
Social Security.
Estate planning.
Taxes.
Healthcare costs.
FINANCIAL IGNORANCE CAN BECOME EXPENSIVE
You don't need to become a:
CPA.
Financial planner.
Tax attorney.
But you should understand enough to ask good:
Questions.
LEARN THE BASICS
Understand:
Compound growth.
Diversification.
Fees.
Taxes.
Risk.
Inflation.
Withdrawals.
Beneficiaries.
DON'T OUTSOURCE EVERY FINANCIAL DECISION WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING WHAT'S HAPPENING
Professional advice can be extremely:
Valuable.
But it's still your:
Money.
Learn enough to participate in the:
Conversation.
KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INVESTING AND GAMBLING
A hot social-media:
Tip
isn't automatically an investment:
Strategy.
Neither is somebody promising:
Easy money.
THE OLDER YOU GET, THE MORE IMPORTANT RISK MANAGEMENT CAN BECOME
You may have less time to recover from large:
Mistakes.
Education matters.
LEARNING CAN CREATE NEW INCOME OPPORTUNITIES
This is one of my favorite parts.
A skill you don't currently have could become an additional income stream:
Later.
Think about skills such as:
Sales.
Marketing.
Content creation.
Video editing.
Public speaking.
Coaching.
Consulting.
Digital advertising.
AI.
YOUR NEXT INCOME STREAM MAY BEGIN AS SOMETHING YOU LEARN FOR FREE
A:
Video.
Book.
Podcast.
Conversation.
Course.
DON'T ONLY ASK:
“WHAT JOB CAN I GET?”
Ask:
“WHAT SKILL CAN I DEVELOP?”
Skills travel with:
You.
Companies don't.
EMPLOYERS CAN ELIMINATE POSITIONS
Industries can:
Change.
Technology can disrupt:
Careers.
But knowledge and transferable skills can give you additional:
Options.
LEARNING CREATES OPTIONS.
OPTIONS CREATE FREEDOM.
That's why education belongs in the wealth:
Conversation.
YOUR EXPERIENCE MAY ALREADY BE MONETIZABLE
Maybe the new thing you need to learn isn't an entirely new:
Profession.
Maybe it's how to package what you already:
Know.
Perhaps you've spent 30 years in:
Management.
Sales.
Insurance.
Healthcare.
Education.
Construction.
Technology.
YOU MAY ALREADY HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE
You may simply need to learn how to turn it into:
Consulting.
Coaching.
Teaching.
Content.
A course.
A business.
DON'T DISCOUNT WHAT DECADES OF EXPERIENCE ARE WORTH
Combine old expertise with new:
Delivery methods.
That's powerful.
LEARNING BUILDS CONFIDENCE
There is something satisfying about saying:
“I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO DO THAT SIX MONTHS AGO.”
And now you:
Do.
That's evidence.
Evidence that you can still:
Grow.
Adapt.
Improve.
CONFIDENCE ISN'T ONLY BUILT THROUGH AFFIRMATIONS
Sometimes confidence comes from:
Competence.
You learn.
You practice.
You improve.
Then confidence:
Follows.
WANT MORE CONFIDENCE?
Build more:
Capability.
That's practical.
LEARNING CAN HELP YOU CONNECT WITH YOUNGER GENERATIONS
You don't need to become:
Them.
You shouldn't try.
But understanding their world can improve:
Communication.
ASK QUESTIONS
What are they:
Watching?
Learning?
Building?
Using?
LET YOUNGER PEOPLE TEACH YOU SOMETHING
That's not weakness.
That's:
Wisdom.
And then...
teach them something:
Too.
THAT'S HOW GENERATIONS LEARN FROM EACH OTHER
They may teach you:
Technology.
You may teach them:
Perspective.
They may teach you:
New platforms.
You may teach them:
Leadership.
EVERY GENERATION HAS SOMETHING TO GIVE
Stay:
Open.
READ MORE
Reading is still one of the easiest ways to access someone else's:
Knowledge.
A person may have spent:
30 years
learning something...
and you can access part of what they learned in a:
Book.
That's extraordinary when you think about:
It.
READ OUTSIDE YOUR NORMAL INTERESTS
If you always read:
Business...
try:
History.
If you always read:
Health...
try:
Biography.
DIFFERENT SUBJECTS CREATE DIFFERENT CONNECTIONS
Sometimes your best idea comes from something outside your normal:
World.
LEARN THROUGH AUDIO TOO
Maybe sitting with a book isn't your preferred:
Method.
Try:
Audiobooks.
Podcasts.
Lectures.
THE FORMAT MATTERS LESS THAN THE LEARNING
Use what works for:
You.
TURN YOUR CAR INTO A CLASSROOM
Driving for:
30 minutes?
That's:
30 minutes.
You can:
Learn.
Or scroll when you:
Arrive.
Your choice.
LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE
You don't have to become:
Fluent.
Learning phrases can make travel more:
Interesting.
It can challenge your:
Memory.
And connect you with different:
Cultures.
LEARN TO COOK SOMETHING NEW
Learning doesn't always need to be:
Serious.
Try:
Thai.
Mediterranean.
Indian.
Japanese.
LEARNING CAN TASTE GOOD TOO
That's the point.
Keep life:
Interesting.
TRAVEL CAN BECOME EDUCATION
Don't only visit a:
Place.
Learn about:
It.
Its:
History.
Culture.
Food.
People.
ASK QUESTIONS WHILE YOU TRAVEL
How do people:
Live?
What do they:
Value?
What can you:
Learn?
THE WORLD IS A CLASSROOM IF YOU REMAIN CURIOUS
You don't need a:
Desk.
LEARN SOMETHING CREATIVE
Painting.
Photography.
Music.
Writing.
Woodworking.
Gardening.
NOT EVERYTHING YOU LEARN NEEDS TO MAKE MONEY
This is important.
Some things should simply bring:
Joy.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO MONETIZE EVERY HOBBY
You are allowed to do something because you:
Enjoy it.
CURIOSITY MAKES LIFE BIGGER
That's why learning matters beyond:
Productivity.
It gives you more things to:
Explore.
Talk about.
Experience.
DON'T BECOME SO FOCUSED ON BEING PRODUCTIVE THAT YOU FORGET TO BE INTERESTED
Life should still surprise:
You.
LEARN ABOUT YOUR FAMILY HISTORY
Ask older relatives:
Questions.
Where did we come:
From?
What did our family go:
Through?
What stories haven't been:
Recorded?
SOME INFORMATION DISAPPEARS WHEN PEOPLE DO
Capture it:
Now.
RECORD STORIES
Write them.
Video them.
Save:
Photos.
LEARNING ABOUT THE PAST CAN BECOME PART OF YOUR LEGACY
And yesterday we talked about how important legacy becomes after:
TEACH WHAT YOU LEARN
One of the best ways to discover whether you understand something is trying to explain it to somebody:
Else.
Teaching forces you to:
Organize.
Clarify.
Simplify.
LEARN → APPLY → TEACH
That's a powerful:
Cycle.
DON'T HOARD KNOWLEDGE
Share what you've:
Learned.
Someone else may need:
It.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO KNOW EVERYTHING BEFORE YOU TEACH SOMETHING
Teach what you legitimately:
Know.
Be honest about what you:
Don't.
HUMILITY MAKES YOU A BETTER LEARNER
The person who thinks they know:
Everything...
has very little room to:
Grow.
SAY:
“I could be wrong.”
“I don't know.”
“Teach me.”
Those are powerful:
Statements.
WISDOM DOESN'T REQUIRE PRETENDING TO KNOW EVERYTHING
Sometimes wisdom is knowing what you don't:
Know.
ASK BETTER QUESTIONS
You don't always need more:
Answers.
Sometimes you need better:
Questions.
Ask:
Why?
How?
What am I missing?
What changed?
What evidence supports that?
CURIOSITY BEGINS WITH QUESTIONS
Children understand this:
Naturally.
Adults sometimes lose:
It.
BRING SOME OF THAT CHILDLIKE CURIOSITY BACK
Not:
Naivety.
Curiosity.
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU LEARN
The internet gives you access to enormous amounts of:
Information.
It also gives you access to enormous amounts of:
Nonsense.
INFORMATION IS NOT THE SAME AS KNOWLEDGE
Evaluate:
Sources.
Evidence.
Expertise.
Bias.
DON'T BELIEVE SOMETHING JUST BECAUSE IT CONFIRMS WHAT YOU ALREADY WANTED TO BELIEVE
That's difficult.
But important.
LEARN TO CHANGE YOUR MIND
This may be one of the greatest signs of intellectual:
Strength.
When better information appears...
adjust.
CHANGING YOUR MIND ISN'T ALWAYS WEAKNESS
Sometimes it's evidence that you:
Learned.
DON'T MAKE YOUR OLD OPINION PART OF YOUR IDENTITY
Then you'll defend it even when evidence says:
Otherwise.
Stay:
Flexible.
LEARNING SHOULD MAKE YOU MORE HUMBLE
The more you learn...
the more you realize how much there is that you don't:
Know.
That's healthy.
LEARNING CAN STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH TOO
Study Scripture.
Learn historical:
Context.
Understand what you're:
Reading.
Ask:
Questions.
FAITH DOESN'T REQUIRE INTELLECTUAL LAZINESS
Study.
Think.
Pray.
Seek:
Wisdom.
PROVERBS 1:5 SAYS:
“LET THE WISE LISTEN AND ADD TO THEIR LEARNING...”
That's an interesting idea.
The:
Wise
keep:
Learning.
Not only the inexperienced.
YOU DON'T GRADUATE FROM WISDOM
There is always room to:
Grow.
YOUR LEARNING SHOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME ACTION
Reading 100 books doesn't matter much if nothing ever:
Changes.
ASK AFTER LEARNING SOMETHING:
“WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH THIS?”
Apply:
It.
INFORMATION WITHOUT IMPLEMENTATION CAN BECOME ENTERTAINMENT
That's especially true in:
Business.
People watch:
Training.
Training.
Training.
And never:
Act.
LEARN ENOUGH TO MOVE.
THEN MOVE.
You can learn more along the:
Way.
DON'T USE LEARNING AS PROCRASTINATION
“I need one more course.”
“I need another book.”
“I need another training.”
Maybe.
Or maybe you need to:
Start.
ACTION TEACHES TOO
Some lessons only become clear once you:
Do.
MAKE MISTAKES
Not reckless ones.
Learning:
Mistakes.
FAILURE PROVIDES DATA
What worked?
What didn't?
What should change?
THE GOAL ISN'T TO AVOID EVERY MISTAKE
It's to stop repeating the same one without learning:
Anything.
BUILD A PERSONAL LEARNING SYSTEM
Don't leave learning to:
Chance.
Choose what you're going to learn this:
Year.
PICK FOUR CATEGORIES
For example:
FAITH.
What do I want to understand more deeply?
HEALTH.
What do I need to learn about my body and healthy aging?
WEALTH.
What financial skill would make me more capable?
FREEDOM.
What skill could create more options for my time or income?
THAT'S ONE LEARNING GOAL FOR EACH PILLAR
Simple.
ADD ONE PERSONAL INTEREST
Something purely because it sounds:
Fun.
Photography.
Cooking.
Travel.
Music.
YOUR LIFE NEEDS CURIOSITY — NOT ONLY RESPONSIBILITY
Remember that.
TRY THE COACH MARCUS 1–1–1 LEARNING PLAN
Every month:
1 BOOK.
Read or listen to one book that teaches you something:
Useful.
1 SKILL.
Spend the month improving one practical:
Skill.
1 EXPERIENCE.
Do something you haven't done:
Before.
1 BOOK → 1 SKILL → 1 EXPERIENCE
Imagine doing that for:
12 months.
That's:
12 books.
12 skills.
12 new experiences.
NOW IMAGINE DOING IT FOR FIVE YEARS
You wouldn't be the same:
Person.
That's the power of:
Compounding.
Not only with:
Money.
With:
Knowledge.
LEARNING COMPOUNDS TOO
One idea connects to another.
One skill makes the next skill easier.
One relationship introduces another:
Opportunity.
YOUR KNOWLEDGE CAN COMPOUND OVER TIME
But only if you keep adding to:
It.
CREATE A “THINGS I WANT TO LEARN” LIST
Write down:
20 things.
Don't worry about order.
Maybe:
AI.
Photography.
Investing.
Cooking.
Public speaking.
Video editing.
Bible history.
Another language.
THEN CIRCLE THREE
Those are your next:
Targets.
PUT LEARNING ON YOUR CALENDAR
If it's important...
schedule:
It.
Twenty minutes.
Thirty minutes.
YOU DON'T NEED HOURS EVERY DAY
Consistency beats occasional:
Intensity.
20 MINUTES A DAY ADDS UP
That's over:
120 hours
in a year.
Think about what you could learn with that much focused:
Time.
REPLACE SOME CONSUMPTION WITH EDUCATION
Check your screen:
Time.
How much is:
Scrolling?
Now imagine redirecting just part of it toward:
Learning.
YOU DON'T NEED MORE TIME
You may need to reallocate some of the time you already:
Have.
That's different.
LEARN WITH OTHER PEOPLE
Take a:
Class.
Join a:
Group.
Attend a:
Workshop.
LEARNING CAN ALSO CREATE CONNECTION
And connection matters as we:
Age.
SHARE WHAT YOU'RE LEARNING
Post about:
It.
Discuss it with:
Friends.
Teach your:
Team.
CONVERSATION DEEPENS UNDERSTANDING
It also keeps you:
Engaged.
DON'T BE EMBARRASSED TO ASK FOR HELP
The fastest way to learn something may be asking somebody who already:
Knows.
ASK THE YOUNG PERSON.
ASK THE EXPERT.
ASK THE FRIEND.
You don't lose status by:
Learning.
You gain:
Capability.
YOU ARE NEVER TOO SUCCESSFUL TO BE A STUDENT
That's important for:
Leaders.
The moment you believe your success means you have nothing left to:
Learn...
you become vulnerable to being:
Passed.
GREAT LEADERS KEEP LEARNING
Markets change.
People change.
Communication changes.
WHAT WORKED 15 YEARS AGO MAY NOT WORK TODAY
Keep your principles.
Update your:
Methods.
DON'T CONFUSE EXPERIENCE WITH CURRENT RELEVANCE
Experience is valuable.
But experience without continued learning can eventually become:
Outdated.
COMBINE EXPERIENCE WITH ADAPTABILITY
That's the:
Advantage.
LEARNING CAN HELP KEEP LIFE EXCITING
After decades of routine...
newness can feel:
Good.
A new:
Place.
Skill.
Food.
Idea.
THERE ARE STILL FIRST TIMES AVAILABLE TO YOU
Your first:
Trip somewhere.
First:
Painting.
First:
Language lesson.
YOU HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED ALL YOUR FIRSTS YET
I love that:
Thought.
FAITH • HEALTH • WEALTH • FREEDOM
Lifelong learning supports all four.
FAITH
Learning can deepen your understanding of Scripture, wisdom and your relationship with:
God.
HEALTH
Learning helps you become more informed about healthy habits, preventive care and aging.
WEALTH
Financial and business education can help you make more informed decisions and develop valuable:
Skills.
FREEDOM
New knowledge can create more choices in how you work, live, earn and spend your:
Time.
LEARNING CREATES CAPABILITY.
CAPABILITY CREATES OPTIONS.
OPTIONS CAN CREATE FREEDOM.
That's why I never want to stop:
Learning.
MYTHS VS. FACTS
Myth: Your brain stops being capable of learning once you get older.
Fact: People can continue learning throughout adulthood, although some aspects of learning and memory can change with age.
Myth: You need to go back to college to keep learning.
Fact: Learning can happen through books, courses, mentors, hobbies, travel, volunteering, technology and everyday experiences.
Myth: Brain-training games are guaranteed to prevent dementia.
Fact: Evidence does not support treating commercial brain-training products as a guaranteed way to prevent dementia. Healthy aging involves multiple factors, and anyone concerned about cognitive changes should speak with a healthcare professional.
Myth: Technology is mainly for younger people.
Fact: Technology is a tool. Adults of many ages can learn to use new technologies when given appropriate instruction, practice and support.
Myth: If you're successful, you already know what you need to know.
Fact: Changing industries, technology and circumstances make continued learning valuable even for highly experienced people.
Myth: Everything you learn should produce income.
Fact: Learning can also provide enjoyment, connection, creativity, purpose and personal growth.
Myth: Asking someone younger to teach you something makes you look weak.
Fact: Effective learning often requires humility and a willingness to learn from people with different skills and experiences.
COACH MARCUS TAKEAWAYS
1. NEVER SAY YOU'RE TOO OLD TO LEARN.
Replace it with:
“I DON'T KNOW HOW YET.”
2. KEEP YOUR MIND ENGAGED.
Read.
Think.
Explore.
3. LEARN TECHNOLOGY.
Don't let unnecessary fear reduce your:
Options.
4. BUILD NEW SKILLS.
Skills can create:
Opportunities.
5. KEEP LEARNING ABOUT MONEY.
Financial education:
Matters.
6. KEEP LEARNING ABOUT HEALTH.
Become an informed participant in your:
Care.
7. BE WILLING TO BE A BEGINNER.
Growth can feel:
Uncomfortable.
8. LEARN FROM YOUNGER GENERATIONS.
And teach them what you:
Know.
9. APPLY WHAT YOU LEARN.
Knowledge needs:
Action.
10. REMEMBER:
YOUR ABILITY TO GROW DIDN'T EXPIRE WHEN YOU TURNED 50.
MY FINAL THOUGHT
One day...
you may look around and realize the world has changed dramatically from the one you grew up:
In.
Phones changed.
Cars changed.
Money changed.
Jobs changed.
Business changed.
Communication changed.
Technology changed.
And more change is:
Coming.
We have two choices.
We can spend the next 20 years saying:
“I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS NEW WORLD.”
Or we can say:
“TEACH ME.”
I choose:
Teach me.
Teach me the new:
Technology.
Teach me the new:
Tool.
Teach me the new:
Strategy.
Teach me something about health I didn't:
Know.
Teach me something about investing I haven't:
Learned.
Teach me something about Scripture I've never:
Considered.
Teach me how another generation:
Thinks.
Teach me something about another:
Culture.
Because I don't want to become somebody who believes getting older gives me permission to stop being:
Curious.
I've lived long enough to know a lot.
But I've also lived long enough to know how much I don't:
Know.
And that realization doesn't make me feel:
Weak.
It makes life:
Interesting.
There is still so much to:
Learn.
Places I haven't:
Visited.
Books I haven't:
Read.
People I haven't:
Met.
Technology I haven't:
Used.
Skills I haven't:
Developed.
Ideas I haven't:
Considered.
And maybe...
opportunities I can't even see yet because I don't currently have the knowledge required to recognize:
Them.
That's why learning matters.
Your next great:
Opportunity...
may begin with:
Curiosity.
Your next income:
Stream...
may begin with:
A skill.
Your next friendship may begin in a:
Class.
Your next passion may begin with trying something you thought wasn't for:
You.
Your next breakthrough may begin with somebody saying:
“Have you ever considered...?”
And instead of responding:
“No, that's not for me.”
You say:
“TELL ME MORE.”
That's curiosity.
And curiosity can keep your world from becoming:
Smaller.
Because one of my goals as I get older isn't simply to stay:
Alive.
I want to stay:
Engaged.
Interested.
Useful.
Adaptable.
Connected.
Growing.
I want to understand what's happening around:
Me.
I want to continue learning things that make me better at:
Serving.
Leading.
Living.
And I don't want younger generations to have to drag me into the:
Future.
I'll walk into it:
Myself.
Maybe not as quickly.
Maybe I'll ask more:
Questions.
Maybe I'll need somebody to show me something:
Twice.
That's:
Okay.
Because speed isn't the:
Goal.
Growth is.
And here's something else I've learned:
YOU DON'T NEED TO KNOW EVERYTHING TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD.
You need to know enough to take the next:
Step.
Then learn what you need for the one after:
That.
That's how we learned when we were:
Young.
And that's how we can continue learning as we get:
Older.
So pick up the:
Book.
Take the:
Class.
Watch the:
Tutorial.
Ask the:
Question.
Try the:
Technology.
Learn the:
Skill.
Visit the:
Place.
Talk to somebody younger.
Talk to somebody older.
Listen.
Study.
Practice.
Teach.
Then:
Repeat.
Because your education may have ended years:
Ago.
But your learning doesn't have:
To.
Getting older is automatic.
Staying curious is intentional.
DON'T JUST GET OLDER. GET BETTER AT IT.™
Faith • Health • Wealth • Freedom
— Coach Marcus Jones
HEALTH, FINANCIAL & EDUCATIONAL DISCLAIMER
This article is provided for general educational, inspirational and informational purposes and reflects, in part, a Christian faith perspective. It is not individualized medical, mental-health, financial, investment, legal or professional advice.
Cognitive changes can have many causes. Anyone experiencing new, persistent or concerning changes in memory, thinking, behavior or ability to perform everyday activities should discuss those concerns with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
Financial, investment and retirement decisions should be based on individual circumstances and, where appropriate, discussed with qualified professionals.
SOURCE ANNOTATIONS & FURTHER READING
National Institute on Aging — Cognitive Health and Older Adults
The National Institute on Aging discusses cognitive health in older adulthood, including the roles of physical health, meaningful activities, social engagement and cognitively stimulating activities. It also notes that there is not sufficient evidence that commercially available brain-training applications provide the same cognitive benefits reported in some structured research programs.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
Federal physical-activity guidance describes the broad health benefits of regular activity, including benefits related to physical and mental health and healthy aging.
The Holy Bible — Proverbs 1:5
“Let the wise listen and add to their learning...”
A fitting reminder that wisdom and continued learning are not:
Opposites.
The wise continue to:
Learn.
PHASE 3 — FAITH, PURPOSE & INNER STRENGTH
WEEK 11
Day 75: How Do You Build a Stronger Relationship With God After 50?
Day 76: Why Does Your Legacy Matter More After 50?
Day 77: How Do You Discover What You Want the Next 20 Years of Your Life to Look Like?
Day 78: Why Is It Important to Keep Learning as You Get Older? — Current Article
NEXT: DAY 79
How Do You Stay Relevant in a World That's Changing So Fast?
The world isn't slowing:
Down.
Artificial intelligence.
Social media.
Automation.
Remote work.
Digital business.
New technology.
New ways to:
Communicate.
New ways to:
Earn.
For people over 50, that can sometimes feel:
Overwhelming.
But tomorrow we're going to challenge the idea that staying relevant means trying to act:
Young.
It doesn't.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BECOME YOUNGER.
YOU HAVE TO REMAIN ADAPTABLE.
We'll talk about how to combine your:
Experience.
Wisdom.
Relationships.
Leadership.
with:
New technology.
New skills.
New communication methods.
And new ways of:
Thinking.
Because your age doesn't automatically make you:
Outdated.
Refusing to adapt:
Can.
And there is a huge difference between the:
Two.
Your experience still has enormous:
Value.
The goal is to make sure you're delivering that value in ways the modern world can still:
Use.
That's where we're going:
Next.