Challenge Yourself

Let me start off by telling you about my learning plan. I’ve always been a teach myself type of person, growing up as the computer edge started to develop, from AOL, dial-up to cell phones, etc. Yes, I’m that old. I think I was around 13 when my parents had the computer in the basement hooked up to AOL, and I spent a good bit of time there. Through high school I was never a stellar student, easily picked up math, hated reading/literature and science, but managed to get through with some solid B’s. During that time Cliff Notes were always my friend. Nothing to write home about, but solid enough to get me into a few schools. When it came to college I was laser focused on going into law enforcement and went to school with that in mind. By sophomore year I realized to go where I wanted to go I would need to enter some law enforcement areas, like ATF or State Police, that I was not keen on joining, so I made a pivot. Changed my major to Finance, kept a minor in Criminal Justice and learned computers on the side. Still within 4 years I graduated and was ready to start my career with skills in Finance, Computers and Forensics (a unique combination for sure).

After just 2 years into my job I set my mind on going for my MBA. Completed night school at Lehigh University, with a focus on Marketing and at that point I was done with school. I toyed with the idea of a doctorate, but I found zero desire to go to school. Here I was 28 years old and felt I completed all the schooling I needed. All while still hating to read and skimming through. So the question, had I learned all I needed to learn? Would on the Job learning be enough to progress my career?

“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

I found this quote while I was writing this, so not one I had seen before, but it holds true. Throughout my career I’ve been blessed with opportunities to attend up to 2 weeks of training sessions each year, of which I’ve used them to take various leadership courses, technical training, presentation skills, etc. But in the last 2-3 years I’ve probably learned more from the books I’ve read and podcasts I’ve listened to then the years of schooling and training courses.

I say all of this, because I don’t want you to get complacent and feel you have learned all you can. You must keep after it, you must keep learning. Don’t make excuses. I’ve done it for years. I’m really busy and just don’t have the time. I don’t like to read. I just can’t get into those kinds of books. Find what works for you, find the time, make the time and you will not regret it. If you like fiction, read it. It will make you a better writer and communicator.

I’m not a fan of Harry Potter, but J.K. Rowling actually came up with the idea and technique for writing it based on what she learned from the number of books she read before. There was a podcast I listened to not too long ago that outlined how she took what she liked from other books, pulled together with her ideas from the train ride to create one of the best selling series of books and eventually films.

Let me close by challenging you what you need to learn. If you are a leader or one that wants to progress your career, then you probably have a development plan. Something that includes some level of training or improvement. If you read 1 book on that topic and applied just a few of the principles you would progress faster than taking a week long class.

What are you trying to develop this year? How many books are you targeting to read? What training are you signed up for? Never stop learning, never stop growing, you can always get better. My goal a few years ago was 40 books and I passed by that and believe I ended up with about 45-50 books that year. I can tell you the information I gathered from those books helped to catapult my career. How did I do it? Audio books on my car ride, or while cutting grass, washing dishes... then I cut out TV and just read instead. Did I have to read that many? No, not really, but I had missed out on so much over the prior 20 years since graduating that I felt the need to catch up on everything I had missed out on. Since then I've slowed down to 20-30 books a year, but I can say I enjoy most of them. I've even got to the point, where if I do not enjoy them, I just stop reading them. It's ok, you don't have to like everyone you pick up.

So get after it and set a goal for 2023 to read more and while you are at it, do not stop now, start today. Go get a Library card and used Libby it is the best free resource for books, combine that with a Kindle and you are in great shape. Other options are always Audible and I've tried Scribd as well, all good audio book options. I do not recommend Kindle Unlimited. There are a few books there, but you are better off to just borrow or buy what you want.