Lifelong Learning and Longevity - It's A Thing

Harder To Kill #064

December 16, 2023

Becoming Harder To Kill at Argent Alpha starts with learning.

Learning how to create a vision for your life and then how to improve daily habits in 5 areas to make that vision a reality.

You can’t improve or change your life without learning.

Learning often starts with unlearning.

Unlearning limiting beliefs, bad habits and outdated practices.

Learning can involve getting uncomfortable.

Uncomfortable with having your habits challenged.

Learning you are doing the wrong things.

Learning you are doing the right things the wrong way.

Lifelong learning is important for men over 50 for so many reasons and it can contribute to personal, professional, and overall well-being.

Let’s explore some reasons why lifelong learning is important along with some practical steps to get started and then I’ll share some of the resources we have used in the past year to contribute to lifelong learning.

Key Reasons Men Over 50 Should be Lifelong Learners

  1. Adaptation to Technological Changes: In today's rapidly changing world, technology is advancing at a fast pace. Lifelong learning helps individuals stay current with technological developments, making it easier to adapt to changes in the workplace and in daily life. You don’t need to learn how to code but you shouldn’t be the guy stuck in the Compuserve era either.

  2. Career Advancement: Continuous learning can enhance existing skills and introduce new ones, making individuals more competitive in the job market. It allows men over 50 to stay relevant, pursue career advancement opportunities, and potentially transition to new and fulfilling roles. And for many Men, learning has opened the door to starting new businesses as we age.

  3. Cognitive Health: Engaging in intellectual pursuits and learning new things has been linked to improved cognitive health. Lifelong learning can help prevent cognitive decline, enhance memory, and contribute to overall mental well-being.

  4. Personal Growth: Learning provides an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery. It allows individuals to explore new interests, hobbies, and perspectives and stay relevant.

  5. Social Connection: The number of close relationships Men over 50 have continues to drop. Learning with a group helps reverse this trend. Lifelong learning often involves interaction with others, whether through classes, workshops, or online communities. This social interaction is crucial for mental health, especially as individuals may face changes in social networks due to retirement or other life transitions.

  6. Resilience: The ability to learn and adapt is a key component of resilience. Lifelong learning helps individuals develop a growth mindset, enabling them to navigate challenges, setbacks, and changes with a positive and adaptable attitude.

  7. Health and Well-being: Learning new skills or engaging in intellectual activities can have positive effects on mental and emotional well-being. It provides a sense of accomplishment and purpose, contributing to a healthier and more fulfilling life.

  8. Preparation for Reinvention: Lifelong learning can play a significant role in preparing for reinvention (we believe reinvention > retirement). It offers the opportunity to explore new interests, plan for meaningful activities and maintain a sense of purpose beyond the professional world.

Starting the Journey: Practical Steps for Men Over 50

Embarking on a path of lifelong learning doesn't require a complete lifestyle overhaul. Small, consistent efforts can lead to substantial rewards. Here's how to begin:

  1. Identify Your Interests:

    • Choose subjects that genuinely intrigue you.

    • Explore diverse topics to find your passion.

  2. Utilize Online Resources:

    • Enroll in online courses or webinars.

    • Explore platforms like MasterClass Khan Academy, or edX.

  3. Read & Listen Regularly:

    • Cultivate a reading habit, covering a range of genres.

    • Subscribe to reputable newsletters, podcasts or online publications.

    • Schedule learning on your calendar so it happens.

  4. Attend Workshops and Seminars:

    • Local community centers & universities often host educational events.

    • Attend workshops or seminars on topics of interest.

  5. Join a Men’s Community, Book Club or Discussion Group:

    • Engage in intellectual discussions with peers.

    • Share perspectives and learn from diverse viewpoints.

  6. Build The Habit:

    • Add reading to your morning routine and build the habit of learning.

    • Swap out 15 minutes of streaming TV for reading a book.

    • Use a tracking tool like a Google Sheet to track your progress.

    • Enforce the habit by committing to reading a book with a group of friends.

  7. Apply What You Learn

    • Knowing and not doing is not knowing.

    • Better to read fewer books and apply them vs reading dozens of books and not taking action.

Learning Takes Many Forms

At Argent Alpha, learning takes many forms including Zoom calls, Slack exchanges, live events, emails, newsletters, books and guest speakers.

Below is a list of books popular with our members followed by a list of the 16 guest speakers who educated us on a wide variety of topics interesting to Men over 50.

If you are looking to level up your mindset and increase your knowledge of health, the list below has been vetted by dozens of Men over 50 in Argent Alpha.

Books

Be Your Future Self Now, The Gap & The Gain, 10X Is Easier Than 2x - Dr. Benjamin Hardy

Atomic Habits by James Clear

The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran & Michael Lennington

The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

Outlive by Peter Attia

Young Forever by Mark Hyman

Superhuman by Dave Asprey

Guest Speakers

One of the ways we reinforce lifelong learning is through guest speakers. We have 1-2 guest speakers per month (3 in January 2024) who focus on areas of interest to Men over 50 who are becoming Harder To Kill.

Below is a listing of each speaker who presented to the Men of Argent Alpha in 2023. Each one of these speakers is uniquely skilled in their area of expertise and targeted their presentation to Men over 50. Click on their name and follow/connect with them on LinkedIn.

Dr. Robert Lieske on Insulin Resistance (important if you are 20% body fat or higher)

Dr. Gina Giuliano presentation on physical therapy.

Dr. Drew Timmermans presentation on regenerative medicine.

Suzette Murray, Optimal Integrative Health, presentation on gut health.

Bob Burg co-author of The Go-Giver book series.

Erik Westrum, author of Becoming Elite, former professional athlete.

Dan Cohen, Chief Performance Officer, Human Powered Health.

Antonio Neves, Author, Coach, Keynote Speaker.

John Puritz, Author, Podcast host, Man behind “Man Up, Already!”

Dr. David Gallegos presenting on PSA and Testosterone.

Brett Blair, PhD -presented on the PERMA model and Resilience.

Linzy Elizabeth, Executive Coach and podcast host.

Nick Fox, breathing expert (Wim Hof, Oxygen Advantage).

Conclusion

Lifelong learning is a cornerstone of becoming Harder To Kill. Get curious about a topic, choose how you want to learn it (book, audio, online or real life course, blogs, podcasts) and then get after it.

And if your interest is in improving your health and making the 2nd half of life the best half, read on.

We are accepting applications through December 31, 2023 and will reopen them sometime in the first quarter 2024. If you want to close the year on a strong note and go into 2024 with momentum, join over 50 Men over 50 and go to Argent Alpha and apply today.