Chris chats about his experience of lifelong learning.
With Lifelong Learning Week happening recently, I found it was the perfect opportunity to reflect on the importance of growth at every stage of life. No matter where we are on our journey, the truth is that learning never stops. It’s not just about academic education or acquiring technical skills – it’s about constantly evolving, adapting, and embracing new challenges.
My own transition from the pool to the world of personal development taught me this in ways I never expected. As a former Olympic swimmer, my life revolved around the pursuit of physical and mental excellence. For years, I dedicated myself to mastering my craft, honing every stroke, and pushing myself to the limit. But when I retired from competitive swimming, I was faced with a completely new challenge: figuring out what came next.
The world of personal development and coaching called to me, but starting over wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. I had spent so many years at the top of my sport, and to be honest, my ego wasn’t prepared to let me be a beginner again. I was so used to being seen as an expert, as someone who had achieved the pinnacle of success, and suddenly, I was in a field where I needed to learn new skills from scratch. It felt daunting and, at times, frustrating.
But here’s the thing: once I accepted that it was okay to start again, everything changed. I realised that it wasn’t my abilities that were holding me back, it was my ego. My reluctance to embrace being a learner again, to be vulnerable, to ask questions, and to admit that I didn’t have all the answers, was my true barrier. Once I let go of that, the growth was incredible. I started to approach my new career path the way I’d approached swimming: with focus, determination, and an openness to learn from every experience.
Lifelong learning isn’t about mastering everything at once. Instead, it’s about being open to continuous improvement, whether that’s in your career, relationships, or personal goals. In my case, I had to learn how to step out of my comfort zone all over again, which was the most liberating lesson of all. It reminded me that no matter how successful we become, we always have room to grow. And that’s something to be excited about, not afraid of.
I encourage everyone to think about where they are in their journey. Are you holding yourself back because of fear or ego? Are you open to the idea that learning something new might be the key to unlocking the next phase of your life? Remember, starting over isn’t a sign of weakness… it’s a sign of strength, humility, and the willingness to keep moving forward!
So, here’s to embracing the process, to being a student of life, and to understanding that the path to success is paved with continuous learning, no matter where we begin.