Smart learning investments pay big dividends!

Let’s face it. We’re living in a world of constant and rapid-fire change. Do you really think that workshop you attended in 2009 or even that webinar you half-listened to last year will help you get the job done? Not likely.  You’re using dusty old skills to address critical issues. When it comes to setting priorities and time management, Learning is that good intention that keeps sliding down the list.  Often, it’s the thing we do AFTER everything else is tackled.

Let the Retirepreneur beware. Take your eyes off the learning ball and it will cripple your business growth. It might even be the single biggest reason you fail. If there’s just ONE THING you resolve to do, make it this:

Map out a SMART Personal Learning Plan (PLP) and schedule time EVERY WEEK to work it!

Now, a few tips to help you shape that Personal Learning Plan:

1. Adopt a Learning Mindset: You’ll notice I’m using the “L” word a lot. Once upon a time, I was promoted to Director of Training for an organization of 700 people. It may seem like semantics, but my first move was to change my title to Director of Learning. I had already heard too much whining about “we need to get more training.” More cowbell, anyone? To succeed in supporting performance improvement, we needed to first change mindsets from Training (and “we need to GET”) to Learning (and “we need to DO”). Sure, I delivered workshops and programs to build skills, but my focus was on instructional design, facilitation, and sparking more peer-to-peer conversations to help folks be more effective in their jobs. You may only be a one-person show, but it all starts with a mindset. Be a learner who is always on the lookout for new opportunities to grow your skills & knowledge, not someone who “gets” trained.
2. Begin With the End in Mind: I met a guy with a program called “What Would Better Look Like?” Sounds a little obvious, but how many of us actually take the time to answer that question clearly. So I ask you – “What Would Better Look Like?” Write it down. Describe it in great detail. Then ask yourself, “What’s Keeping Me From Getting There?” Start mapping out a route to “Better.”
3. Invest in on ONE Big Learning Experience Every Year: For 2011, I’ve doubled down on my investment. I attended a conference in Chicago AND spent a day with a marketing rockstar (more about that later).  We live in a world of webinars and online tutorials. Don’t get me wrong — those are great options, but face-to-face experiences take lessons even further. Find the RIGHT workshop, with the RIGHT people in attendance, and dive in.
4. Book Learning Time on Your Calendar: It doesn’t have to be large chunks each week. Some weeks, you might set aside 30 minutes to read AND comment on industry blogs. By the way, commenting on blogs helps you APPLY what you’ve learned.
5. Repurpose Dead Time for Learning: Are you driving across town? Why not get an Audiobook from the library and listen to a thought leader? On the treadmill? Subscribe to podcasts and listen while you work out.
6. Fill Gaps, BUT Spend More Time on Building Strengths: Often, we look at learning to fill deficits. If there’s an area where you’re a little weak, go shore it up, but remember: Your weak spots will never be your strengths. Get these areas up to acceptable levels, but then, focus more time to transform strengths into SUPER strengths.
7. Go Talk To People: Just read a great marketing book? Go find somebody else who read it and meet for coffee to talk about key takeaways and how you will apply these concepts to your day-to-day world. Can’t find anybody to talk to? Go check LinkedIn and search People, Groups, and Discussions to find somebody who read the book. Heck, go launch a discussion about the book on a group where it’s a fit. You’ll be amazed at the new connections you’ll make.

What’s in YOUR Learning Wallet? Care to share a few more tips and ideas?

 

Filed under: Learning & Personal Development Tagged: business start-up, learning, personal development, personal learning plans, training