One of my instructors at Medaille College in Buffalo, N.Y., always said we should read something each week about our profession (in that case, teaching). It was good advice. And I still try to follow it … okay, once a month.

But, in case I forget, September is always a good reminder. It’s also a good reminder to attend a conference or seminar, enroll in a course, read a book or an article, or take up a challenging new hobby.

We need to remember the social benefits of learning as we strive to improve ourselves intellectually, just as we try to manage our work/life balance in order to benefit our mental health.

First, mental health. Stats on mental health in Canada demonstrate the prevalence of the issue, the most-mentioned statistic being that one in five Canadians will personally experience a mental illness in their lifetime, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association. Likely burdened with stress, overwork, or any number of family and/or personal issues, we get bogged down in work and busyness, and soon or later this begins to have an impact on our mental state.

And what about the ever-increasing pressure to multi-task? Multi-tasking usually means performing two or more tasks at the same time, switching back and forth from one to the other, or performing a number of tasks in quick succession. Some researchers say multitasking can actually reduce productivity by as much as 40 percent. So much for getting everything done at once.

So how do we take a step back, balance our busy schedules, and stop multi-tasking—all the while completing necessary tasks and keeping sane and happy? In this issue, Ron Schwarz explains how we might do this as he looks at how we can develop a state of mindfulness.

Some learning can also have tangible social benefits. Wine is a great socializer, as it often breaks down barriers and induces people be less inhibited. But if you’re engaging and doing business with clients over lunch, what happens when the restaurant server hands you the wine list? Do you know the difference between a Cabernet and a Chardonnay? Do you know what to choose? Find out how not to fear wine with a little Wine 101 from the Foundations in Wine Selection and Tasting event held at CFA Society Toronto in May.

Learning for life should be part of everyone’s agenda. I couldn’t agree more.

Cheers and happy learning!