I was reading an article recently on ‘neuroplasticity’. I know, it sounds a bit technical, doesn’t it? But it isn’t really. Neuroplasticity is just ‘the brain’s ability to form new synaptic connections between neurons’. In other words, it’s the brain’s mechanism for enabling us to learn new things as we go through life.
Our brains are at their most receptive when we’re babies. Just think how much a baby has to take in and learn during its first two years: learning how to control its body, learning to recognise people and things, learning to eat, speak and walk.
Young people seem to be able to pick things up really fast too – especially anything to do with modern technology. But then, as we get older, we seem to start finding it more difficult to retain new information – it has always been thought that this is because our brains don’t function as well and are not as malleable. We compensate for this by becoming more efficient at the things that we already know how to do and which we do on a regular basis.
Recently, however, research has shown that the brains of older people might be more malleable than previously thought. But older people have to work a little harder at making these new ‘connections’. And, once made, you have to keep on practising the new skills or working with the new knowledge until it has become second nature – like driving, swimming or typing. Also, the more we use our brain to learn new things, the better we get at it. I know it’s a cliché but ‘use it or lose it’ comes to mind!
This is particularly good news for older workers who might find themselves having to re-train to do a new job, or upgrade their existing skills to hold onto their position. If you’re already making New Year resolutions to improve your employability or broaden your horizons by taking a course, then do it with confidence. You’re never too old to learn! You might want to have a look at the range of courses that Business Training offers – we really do have something for everyone.
This year seems to have sped past – I can hardly believe that this will be my last blog of 2016. But, before finishing, I would just like to wish you all the best for the festive season and hope that 2017 will be a happy, healthy and prosperous one for you.
Author: Diana Nadin
