I've had the good fortune to work alongside amazing people in my career and be in the fortunate position of learning something new every day. A client, a successful executive, shared the following quote which was on his LinkedIn feed today: “Edison's electric light did not come about from the continuous improvement of the candle.” ~ Oren Harari He then told me he has applied the 5-hour rule as a career success strategy. He went on to explain that Benjamin Franklin is known (not previously to me) to have dedicated an hour every week day to learning. Thus he could rise from being a lowly apprentice at his brother’s print shop to become a writer, an inventor, a scientist, a businessman, and great political leader with no formal education. Coaching is a relationship that provides the space to focus on professional or personal challenges. Deliberate learning in the cornerstone. In our fast-paced and ever-changing business world, continuous learning is indeed an essential strategy for career success. As my client said: “I make sure I keep my brain freshly stocked.” When we live the value of continuous learning and work on our professional development, we become better at what we do and bring more value to the organizations we serve. And thus we are likely to see more success in our career and get more personal satisfaction from our jobs. Deliberate learning is a mindset, a commitment to learn and share the knowledge. A thirst for knowledge and earnest curiosity drive innovation. New innovations take place when creating something that wasn’t there before: a new business model, a new product, a new value proposition, etc. Continuous learning also drives continuous improvement in capabilities and processes. Both are crucial business strategies. These are also leadership qualities pertaining to every professional. Everyone is the CEO of their own career, a leader in their own domain. In a global knowledge driven economy, knowledge is a key resource, and the most sough-after commodity. Here are a few ideas to implementing a deliberate learning strategy to keep professional development continuous: 1. Be an avid reader
“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” ~Joseph Addison. Whatever your chosen profession is, make sure you learn at least one thing a week by reading professional literature.
2. Invest in skills training
“The only skill that will be important in the 21st century is the skill of learning new skills. Everything else will become obsolete.” ~ Peter Drucker. Develop skills that are needed.
3. Keep Practicing
“Knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key to it.” ~ Lao Tzu Knowing is not enough, we need to apply it on the job. We earn our trophies at practice. Continue to hone your professional skills until you reach mastery and then some. Excellence is a never ending quest.
4. Share your knowledge
“In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn. “ ~Phil Collins. The more you share your knowledge, the more you learn and expand it.
5. Find a mentor
“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.” ~ John C. Crosby. A mentor can share the wisdom of his or her experience and guide you and help nurture your professional growth and career success. Now go read, reflect, and experiment. Happy deliberate learning!
