Yes, this month signals the end of those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer and “Back to School” time for the kiddos. What about you? When was the last time you attended a class or made an investment in yourself? If it has been awhile, then it’s time to ‘get your books’.
“Formal education will make you a living; self-development will make you a fortune.” – Jim Rohn
What is the best way to prepare for future success? By continuing your education and personal development. Although the landscape of formal education has changed over the years the one thing that has remained constant is the requirement for life-long learning and growth.
“People who will be the most successful in our fast-paced global society are those who are able to grasp new ideas and concepts the quickest and put them into practice.”
There are inherent benefits to getting better, faster and accelerating your ability to acquire new skills and competencies. In today’s world, it’s less about competing with peers in the classroom and more about competing with peers around the globe from other developed and emerging countries. Peers who will become our future customers, suppliers, trading partners or competitors in the ‘New World’ economy.
Shrinking the learning curve on acquiring new skills and competencies has become a necessity for career advancement to keep pace with the rapidity of change, and to stay ahead of the competition.
“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” – Mark Twain
Fortunately there are an abundance of options that make continuing education and personal development both accessible and affordable for most people. Unfortunately, many of the self-development programs fail to deliver results. Why? Primarily due to a lack of clarity and focus, or a lack of commitment. However, integrating both formal and informal education with ‘real-world’ experience is essential to growth and accelerating the learning curve on new things.
Don’t wait any longer to get started. My online course, “Discover YOUR Formula for Success”, will help you identify the priorities to reach your goals. You can then determine how best to acquire those new skills and competencies – i.e., college courses, seminars and workshops, online classes, self-study programs, self-help books, etc. Once you have figured out the ‘what’ and the ‘how’, make the commitment … do the work … repeat.
“When you’re done learning, you’re done” …
Never lose your passion for learning, growing, exploring new horizons and challenging yourself to be great. On my last day of undergrad studies, like many of my classmates, I was burned out. Couldn’t wait to escape the campus and get on with my career. I vowed “never return to the classroom except to attend PTA meetings and school functions for my future children”. However, graduate school, countless corporate education & leadership programs, and decades of real-world experience later have reinforced the necessity for continuous learning and growth.
We have entered an exciting era in our history where leaders are expected to be highly skilled and knowledgeable in the intricacies of “doing more with less” to more effectively compete in the expansive global marketplace. Ultimately, the collective intellectual capital of the American people will be our greatest asset in this new era, and what will distinguish you from your peers.
Are you prepared for this challenge today?
Your best preparation for tomorrow is being your best today. So, if you want to advance your career, stay ahead of the competition, or just get better at what you are doing in the moment, then get your books and make life-long learning a priority.
Enjoy the journey!
John
COPYRIGHT © 2022-23 John Carroll