What does a sharp saw have to do with lifelong learning? For all you Covey fans, you know Dr. Steven Covey coined the phrase "sharpen the saw" in his highly acclaimed book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. To me, I think about a saw sharpener as a complicated device that I would never be able to use. Doing an image search on "saw sharpener" on Google shows 423 different pictures of saw sharpening devices that require you to know various things and exert various amounts of effort to "sharpen a saw" in the traditional sense. Now there are probably close to this many ways we can keep our own saws sharp by continuously learning. I won't bore you with all of them, but I will outline a few of the ones I've found helpful below.
1) Join a professional organization and use their training outlets - You may already be part of an organization like Toastmasters, a local writer's workshop group, or something else of that nature. Perhaps there are other organizations out there that might also suit your needs? If you're not sure, ask someone how they've done what they do, and then do it!
2) Pursue an advanced degree - For some, an MBA or masters in something job related is what you need to advance up the ranks and to stay sharp in your current job. If this is you, there are so many different resources available to you now, some online, some traditional, some that blend the two, and definitely you can find something that will fit in your schedule if traditional schooling is for you.
3) Certification - For others, an industry-specific certification is all that's needed to stay sharp. Just like a traditional college, you can do self-paced study or take a class online to get the certification you need to move up.
4) Use your company's training - Many larger companies offer in-house training to associates once they reach a certain level. What have you got to lose by talking to your manager, supervisor, or HR department about the classes that might be available to you at your current level? If you're fortunate, you'll get a few different ideas, and your employer will probably pay for these classes and give you time to complete the necessary materials.
5) Read a book or a website that's topic specific to what you want to learn - If you're looking for a good book or for that perfect website, ask someone else you know who is an authority on what you need. There are so many books published every year, you're bound to find one or two that suit your needs. And the web is full of things to help you learn more about what you need to know.
6) Find a mentor - My last piece of advice is something you can do at anytime, and that is finding a mentor. Seek someone out in your company who knows what you need to know and ask them questions. Buy them lunch and pick their brain. Find someone in our organization who knows what you want to know and ask them if you can give them a call or have lunch together. Or look online and e-mail an expert. You'd be surprised at how many people are willing to help, if you'll just ask them. And maybe they'll even become a formal mentor of yours and be willing to invest some time in helping you advance your career and your life.
Phil Gerbyshak leads a team of IT help desk professionals in Milwaukee, WI, and finds that sharing his knowledge is a crucial component in his success as a leader and as a person. Phil's personal philosophy is paraphrased from Tim Sanders' fantastic book Love is the Killer App: "Share your knowledge, your network, and your love. The rest will follow." Read more of Phil's ideas at http://makeitgreat.org
Airbnb cleaning service Glenview ..These days success is a hotly debated subject. Nevertheless, people... Read More
In terms of life success, there are four pretty obvious... Read More
If you have a choice each day in the tasks... Read More
Temp your way to the top Want to take the... Read More
If you want to be successful in life, business, or... Read More
So many of us want success, but how many of... Read More
As a speaker and trainer, people often approach me after... Read More
Let me say this to get it out of the... Read More
Persistence is the foundation of success. Although there are many... Read More
Before we can unlock human potential, we need to know... Read More
The greatest deterrent to success in life is fear. It... Read More
Are there any universal laws that most successful people seem... Read More
Success could be just about making money, but I think... Read More
I would like to use this medium to introduce my... Read More
Deep down, where it counts, many people do not believe... Read More
Success starts in your mind. Positive Thinking creates the advantage.Success... Read More
What the anteater and otter show us about success?It's been... Read More
The simple action of writing the every day grocery demonstrates... Read More
"What a week!" you say at the end of a... Read More
Do you ever wonder how some people consistently get what... Read More
Those of you who know me, know that I am... Read More
Depending on the person, challenges can either make or break... Read More
"You will be the same person in five years except... Read More
Lesson 1. Category Well Being Plan to do this.Stop blaming... Read More
I am going to tell you something you already know... Read More
efficient cleaning crew Highland Park ..What if I told you that you could be more... Read More
What is success? As author and speaker Earl Nightingale said,... Read More
One of the questions that I am asked most often... Read More
The sun crept over the horizon and lodged itself above... Read More
"And when it rains on your parade, look up rather... Read More
Nobody becomes a success alone, period. There is no such... Read More
There is one big "secret" to success that can help... Read More
Success is a word that is much used in our... Read More
Of all the things that can have an effect on... Read More
After all the things I have shared with you this... Read More
Your ability to deal constructively and effectively with mistakes and... Read More
The ten-year period which followed the stock market crash of... Read More
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to be... Read More
You are never a failure until you accept defeat as... Read More
The TRUE BMI of SUCCESS (B)e a (M)illionaire (I)ndexWhy am... Read More
Several years ago, I attended a "success" seminar in northern... Read More
Thoughts move faster than the speed of light.Expectations jump faster... Read More
When Julie looks through the lens of her camera she... Read More
The power went out. Again!I looked out my second story... Read More
Each human being, who exists above the level of simple... Read More
Recently, I have been riveted by the amazing reality show... Read More
Your Head, think about what you want and move towards... Read More
Much has been researched, written and taught about success. One... Read More
Too many times in the pursuit of our dreams, we... Read More
Success is something that happens all by itself once you've... Read More
Success |