by Natalie Nicole Gilbert

Created on: January 17, 2007   Last Updated: September 10, 2009

It's so true that in our youth we forfeit so many opportunities to learn about things we'll develop a passion for later. How different would things be if we required teens to take occupational tests or the Strengths Finder assessment to enlighten them about how their passions are aimed?

Even if you've realized this truth a little late, it's not too late to recapture missed opportunities. Don't have time to go back to school? Investigate your options. Just take a few minutes to see what schools are in your area. Many offer accelerated programs for adults that meet just once a week or hold classes online. Some will even accept 'life experience' as class credits - so that your knowledge of the Microsoft suite you gained on the job is worth something as you earn credits toward a degree, for example. These days the non-traditional student (read: adult learner) is no longer the exception to the rule. If commitment to a college program still seems overwhelming consider other learning options. Are you tech savvy? Do you love cooking? Check out technical schools that deal with just that area of expertise.

Seminars and workshops are also a tremendous way to learn more about a topic that fascinates you, and it's absolutely legitimate to cite these seminars on your resume as training. Check out a Franklin Covey Time Management seminar like 'What Matters Most' or '7 Habits of Highly Effective People'. (what employer wouldn't like an employee who can manage their time and be highly effective?) Love to perform but know your talent is rough around the edges? Check out www.TomJacksonProductions.com. Love to write articles? Check out MediaBistro.com for writing tips, writing seminars and job openings. Just want to stretch your brain cells and learn something while you're sitting at your desk bored out of your mind? Check out Number2.com or Kaptest.com for free college entrance tests and prep, even vocabulary questions. Drop by Dictionary.com and sign up for the word of the day. There's also a great line of books that I call the '10 minute linguistic' series. It's the 'Learn French in 10 Minutes a Day!' sort of thing, complete with stickers to put on everything in your house - including the cat and dog, I believe. (None for your spouse or siblings, I'm afraid.)

Last but not least, if you're eager to get some fresh information in your head, travel! There's something refreshing about driving in a place that measures the speed limit in kilometers (gotta love going '100' in Toronto) or where folks drive on the other side of the road altogether. Stretch your paradigm by seeing more of the world, even if it just means crossing the state line. What is it they say? The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step...or a full rotation of the tires.

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