Are you truly learning?
It is no hidden fact that in our professional careers, we all need to constantly upgrade and acquire new skills. As I belong to IT field the thoughts I am sharing are driven by that.
Since technology keep evolving fast, there is a constant need to keep abreast with same. Good news is there is no shortage of sources to learn from!
But how to make sure that one is truly learning?
Can you acquire true learning by say simply watching a series of video tutorials? While in some cases this can be true, it would not offer real benefit unless you actually use that knowledge practically.
“There are no shortcuts to learning – you have to give it your all (considering it is over and above your regular work)”
Here are some simple ways to apply learning to your real work (these are very much obvious but worth reiterating):
- Choose wisely: Opt courses that have some real evaluation attached to it. Best is if it needs you to do some project. If not at least it must have a proper test to award completion certificate. Some of these will be paid and expensive but then there are always many options to suits ones time and budget constraints. Taking up such courses helps to be regular and committed to learning.
- Solve problems: Start some small side projects – think of a small problem you want to solve. It could be a personal website, a small game, a mobile app (there is no shortage of ideas). This is for yourself so don’t worry much. Just do it. Trust me it will give you immense satisfaction and confidence. By doing this you are overcoming the ever so pulling “internal inertia”. Even at work you can let your seniors know that you have up-skilled and are available accordingly for a task. If you can’t do this, I am afraid you may be lacking the required kick or “not enough fire in your belly” to go the distance. Remember it all starts from “YOU”.
- Apply learnings: In some scenarios where the learning is more of a philosophy, process or some techniques, then also one should try to find ways to plug those into their professional and personal work areas. For example if someone takes up a course on “Managing without authority” or “project management fundamentals”, it is a good idea to use the tips and techniques in real teams and projects. It could be simple stuff like trying a new approach to team dynamics, about using some new templates to track project variables or requirements from customers. Main idea is to apply your learning asap.
- Build “learning network” – Put yourself in the company / network of “learned” ones. Those who are themselves constantly learning. They will inspire you to go that extra mile.
- Plan and Focus: Since there could be so much to learn, one has to focus and pick things that really matters to ones future plans. So in essence you need to have a plan and then focus to achieve that plan.
If you just stick to above basics it should be more than enough.
Good organisations today are very keen as well as supportive to up-skill their employees (I would recommend working for such organisations).
Learning never really stops and here is a beautiful quote by Henry Ford to sum it up.
Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.
- Henry Ford
Please share your thoughts if you like the above article and have your own inputs to add.
