A former Google executive asserts that a single habit distinguishes highly successful individuals from the rest: it has never been easier to do it.

Maha Abouelenein knows what it takes to be successful.

In 2014, a 53-year-old woman founded a Minnesota-based communications firm, Digital and Savvy, to offer public relations services to large corporations and CEOs, including Target and Gary Vaynerchuk. Prior to this, she had worked as a public relations executive for over 10 years in the Middle East, where she served as Google's head of communications for the region.

Abouelenein's one habit helped her continue advancing her career even after starting over in another country, she tells CNBC Make It.

Being a lifelong learner," she explains, "is all about being curious and not wanting to be left behind because of a lack of knowledge. It's that straightforward.

Staying relevant in today's fast-paced technological advancements and competing against a global remote talent pool requires being open to hearing new perspectives and acquiring new skills, according to Abouelenein's new book, "7 Rules of Self-Reliance," which was released this week.

A study indicates that continuing to learn throughout your career can enhance your memory, cognitive abilities, and happiness. Additionally, employers prefer employees with a "growth mindset," which involves continuously acquiring new skills and self-improvement, as stated by LinkedIn workforce expert Aneesh Raman in March.

Never has it been easier to become a lifelong learner with the increased availability of digital resources, classes, and tools for education.

Abouelenain highlights her own life as an example of her strengths in creativity and strategy, but struggles with financial literacy, particularly with topics like accounting and balance sheets. Despite being a public relations veteran and successful CEO, she took a "finance for non-finance executives" course last year.

"Why not take advantage of all the opportunities available to us to learn and improve, such as YouTube videos and podcasts, which are free and only require 10 minutes a week to listen to? She poses this question. Additionally, with remote working environments, we are no longer limited to competing with individuals in our own cities. Instead, we must possess a competitive advantage."

If you're unsure about the areas where you need to improve your skills, consulting with your boss or colleagues could help you find a benchmark. Although receiving criticism can be challenging, it shows curiosity, humility, and a willingness to improve, which are all valuable qualities in an employee, according to Abouelenein.

""Driving your career is necessary," she emphasizes."

Like billionaire Jay Chaudhry, her advice emphasizes the importance of a willingness to learn in both entry-level and top-level job candidates.

"According to Chaudry, who spoke to CNBC Make It, the pace of change in the world is accelerating, affecting the way people work, their work environment, and even their work habits."

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