Remember that one kid in elementary school who would get wide-eyed with excitement over the science fair project while everyone else was groaning? That kid was onto something. We’re all born with a natural curiosity, the one many of us gradually pack away like old childhood toys and it’s a powerful happiness engine. In fact, it’s the foundation of a true growth mindset.
When we actively learn new things, our brains come alive. New neural connections form, building what scientists call “cognitive reserve” a kind of brain resilience that helps us stay sharp and adaptable as we age. But for years, I thought learning had to be serious and productive.
I was wrong. I learned the real lesson from a disastrous attempt at brewing my own beer.
My Brief, Unsuccessful, and Glorious Career as a Brewer
My journey into self-improvement has always been about following my curiosity wherever it leads, from building a camper van with little mechanical skill to, well, writing this book. But my home brewing phase proved that a hobby doesn’t have to be successful to be a success.
My pumpkin ale could knock my friends down, but the process of making it lit up parts of my brain that had been gathering dust for years. The problem was, I drank the good batches faster than I made them and gained 20 pounds in the process. My wife, Suzy, finally intervened and helped me sell the kit online. Thanks, Suzy.
By all traditional measures, my brewing career was a failure. But here’s the secret: every failed batch was still building those neural connections the scientists talked about. My brain got sharper even as my waistline got wider.
That disastrous hobby taught me a crucial lesson about self-improvement that I applied to my craziest learning leap of all: writing this book. Are you kidding me? I still have to Google “effect vs. affect” every single time. But I followed my curiosity about happiness, listened to hundreds of podcasts, and dove into research I barely understood at first. And I’m happier today because I finally learned that learning itself is messy, imperfect, sometimes embarrassing learning is what keeps us growing.
The Science: Why Your Brain Loves Sourdough (and Quantum Physics)
This isn’t just a hunch; the science backs it up. The benefits of being a lifelong learner go way beyond just brain health. Studies on learning communities show that when people learn together, they experience significant decreases in loneliness and increases in overall life satisfaction.
But here’s the really cool part: your brain doesn’t care what you’re learning.
Whether it’s quantum physics or how to make the perfect sourdough bread, the neural benefits of tackling something new and challenging are surprisingly similar. It’s not about becoming an expert; it’s about enjoying the journey of a growth mindset.
6 Ways to Fire Up Your Brain Cells (No Brewery Required)
Ready to reactivate that happiness engine? You don’t need to start a brewery in your garage. Consequently, here are a few simple ways to make learning part of your life again:
- Challenge the “Too Old” Myth: Think you’re too old to learn something new? Not true. Adult brains remain adaptable (a process called neuroplasticity). Set a tiny daily learning goal just to prove to yourself that your brain can still improve.
- Embrace Micro-Learning: Don’t have time to take a class? Try learning in small bites. Listen to a podcast on your commute, or watch a quick tutorial while you eat lunch. Even five minutes a day builds knowledge over time.
- Follow Your Curiosity: Not sure what to learn? Pick something that genuinely interests you, no matter how niche or “unproductive” it seems. Studies show that when you’re intrinsically interested, you persist longer and learn more deeply.
- Welcome Beginner Status: Afraid you’ll look foolish? Of course you will! Everyone is bad at something when they first start. Embrace a growth mindset and give yourself permission to make mistakes. Studies show that accepting errors actually speeds up the learning process.
- Use Free Resources: You don’t need a big budget. Use the amazing free resources available: library books, YouTube tutorials, online courses. You can build incredible skills without spending a dime.
- Learn for Happiness: Doubt that learning brings joy? Try it. Learn something just for the fun of it and notice how the pride you feel in your progress lifts your mood. Studies consistently link lifelong learning to better mental health.
In short, the willingness to look foolish while learning something new isn’t something to avoid. That’s exactly where the growth mindset, and the joy, lives.
If you’re ready to see all 42 tools for building a happier life (including more on embracing a growth mindset ), check out, Your Happier Life Toolbox. And join our community of fellow builders at http://www.yourhappier.life
Keep Building,
Billy