Continuing education is an important part of every professional’s career development. But you don’t have to take a formal class to learn new things. There are plenty of small, practical ways that can effectively help you build skills and expand your horizons.
We asked 9 Young Entrepreneur Council members how anyone can incorporate continued learning into their everyday life. From audiobooks to attending workshops, here’s what they had to say.
1. Master One Skill at a Time
Learn one thing at a time, repeat and use that skill regularly, then build on that skill. Most people try to become masters of an entire subject overnight; they then become overwhelmed and then they give up. Start small, refine and repeat, and your skills will compound. – Brandon Pindulic, OpGen Media
2. Listen to Podcasts and Audiobooks
If you commute to work or spend a lot of time at the gym, a great way to fill that time with continued education can be to listen to informative podcasts in lieu of music. There are a plethora of entertaining and educational podcasts covering current events, economics, tech, philosophy, history and anything else you could be interested in learning more about. – Bryce Welker, CPA Exam Guy
3. Set Aside Time Each Day
By simply devoting a little time every day, I keep learning new things regularly. I’m an avid reader, so I spend around 30 minutes each day reading, not just material related to my industry, but literature of different kinds. Life, after all, has way more to offer in terms of learning. I understand that not everybody likes reading. If that’s the case, consider videos and podcasts. – Derek Robinson, Top Notch Dezigns
4. Try Journaling
Journaling is one of the most effective ways to get the thoughts and concerns out of your mind and in a tangible form. This provides one the opportunity to reflect on those thoughts and track patterns that might emerge in how they spend their time and what’s on their mind. Often, this sort of continual reflection is the first step in growth and on-going learning. – Ross Beyeler, Growth Spark
5. Seek Activities That Expand Your Worldview
I make it a priority to learn something new every day. Whether by completing my master’s degree, reading an article on a subject or industry I am not as fluent in, or by traveling to a place I have never been, I think it is critical to my leadership to continue to expand my worldview. The more I can learn, the better I am at understanding my team, building my company and making my clients happy. – Jennifer Mellon, Trustify
6. Read at the Start and End of Each Day
Read a book first thing in the morning and last thing at night. It’s a good way to warm up to start the day and wind down to end the day. And because it’s the first and last thing you do, it’ll stick with you, which is what you want when you’re trying to learn. – Brandon Bruce, Cirrus Insight
7. Read Books Written by Your Business Role Models
If you aspire to be successful, a great way to be motivated is through reading the works of an already successful person such as Gary Vaynerchuk. While you may not face the same challenges as them, their story may prove to be a helpful blueprint in your daily journey. – Fritz Colcol, Simply Thalia
8. Do One Thing Everyday Out of Your Comfort Zone
When you look at continued learning, more often than not, it’s in reference to something you already know or have an expertise in. A great way to keep the learning and experience process going daily is to step outside of your comfort zone. Try doing something different at least once per day, and see how it helps you grow personally. – Zac Johnson, Blogger
9. Watch Documentaries
The media we consume is just as important as the foods that we eat. The older I get, the more I enjoy watching documentaries. It’s such a quick way to absorb new information and find new passions. Once I’ve found a new passion, I’ll dive deeper by reading books, joining forums and connecting with others online. – Jared Atchison, WPForms