What is continuous learning? It’s defined as education or training that is always ongoing. But it doesn’t have to be formal learning. There are many ways to continuously learn. So what are the options available and why this is so important to career growth? Let’s take a look!
Traditionally when people thought of career learning, they thought of academic story.
Now I am all for academic study. Between the ages of 10 and 32, I didn’t go a single year without an exam. From GCSE’s, A-Levels, Law Degrees, Programme Management qualifications, Coaching qualifications and Masters Degrees – it’s fair to say I have done my fair share of formalised study.
Was it expensive? Sometimes! Was it worth it? It depends how you categorise what is “worth it”. I always say the best thing I studied was my MBA. But it wasn’t about being guaranteed status or career progression. For me, the added value was meeting people from totally different countries and sectors, that led to mental growth – a richer understanding of human perspective across national and cultural boundaries. To me that is invaluable and I wouldn’t be able to have succeeded in places like the Middle East and then now have the joy of working with clients from nearly 20 countries if I hadn’t taken that step towards cultural understanding.
But –academic formalised learning, is not then only type of continual learning available.
For me, I have learnt much more from film, TV, books and even YouTube! These things comparatively cost much loss. There is still an investment of time, and the trick is you have to put just as much time into researching what you are going to consume before you consume it.
Formalised continuous learning is easy. You pay a fee and then an institution takes your money and tells you – “Yes, this is the best thing for you!”. We buy it!
When it comes to continually learning in less regulated environments, make sure to invest your time into the research before you commit to the journey.
In the last 2 years I have also attended mastermind programmes run by characters such as Tony Robbins, Tom Bilyeu, and Patrick Bet-David. They all have their strengths and weaknesses, but I enjoy variety and gaining different perspective, and that for me is essential to continued growth. 2 of those 3 cost a fraction of the cost of formalised academic study as well!
During my career, I have had the privilege of working and knowing titans of industry, heads of states, CEO’s, entrepreneurs, founders, political figures and sports celebrities. Did all of those individuals at the top of their field continually learn? Yes! 100%
Did they all conduct academic formalised study? No!
Did they have a plan and have a thirst for continually learning and growing? Yes
Can you progress your career without continuing to learn. You can, but it’s exceptionally harder to do so. Why not make life easy for yourself and invest your time and knowledge in continuing to grow.
It’s said that everyone is on their own journey. The only person we should compare ourselves to is ourselves a year ago. Have you improved? Do you know what improving is? Are you where you told yourself a year ago you would be?
No? But that’s because of Covid right? Or it’s because of Biden, or Boris, or Putin.
What if it’s because you didn’t commit to your plan and decide to grow?
Just a thought. Where do you want to be 12 months from now? Can you get there without learning anything new?
The great news is, there is a cheat code! It’s proven time and time again, almost without exception, that if you do this one thing then you will learn, you will grow and you will get one step closer to your objectives, both in your career, and life, but also in terms of your own fulfilment.
It’s one word! It has 5 letters and begins with “A”.
All the best,
Richard Edge
CEO & Career Coach | Careerships
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