Children and adults alike are motivated to learn new skills that will help them achieve purposes and visions they have, such as playing with friends, gaining independence, or communicating with family. Lifelong learning allows people to actively engage with life and work toward creating their desired futures.

1. Most of the rapid learning of very
young children is tied to purpose
and vision. Children learn to ride a
bike because they want to play
with their friends who have bikes.
They learn to drive because they
want independence and mobility.
They learn new skills because they
want them. The same is true for
adults. Grandparents who have
shied away from new technology
buy computers and learn to hook
into the internet to exchange email
with their grandchildren. Lifelong
learning is the fundamental means
by which people engage in life and
create their desired futures.