My first job when I first arrived in Australia many years ago was with a big training company as one of their managers. They had this extensive catalog of training programs, and I was like a kid in a candy store, eager to gobble up all that knowledge. “I’ll do this one! Oh, that looks interesting too! Heck, I’ll take ’em all!” I was thrilled, brimming with enthusiasm, and I wanted to dive headfirst into all of them.
Now, here’s the twist: guess how many of those sessions I managed to squeeze into my two-year stint there? Zilch. Not a single one. Life got so busy, I couldn’t find the time for even one.
Isn’t it funny how we often approach learning? We attend universities, we earn beautiful diplomas, we have those grand ceremonies where we proudly clutch our diplomas. It’s all done, right?
Well, we seem to believe that, either we’ve got it all figured out or, yeah, if we ever find the time (which, let’s be honest, hardly ever happens), we’ll get back to learning.
Bonjour, in this video, I want to share three simple tactics to continuously improve.
I’m not in Sydney at the moment. I am in the US in Atlanta, Georgia.
I’m hanging out with an old pal, Mo. We go way back – about four or five years back, to be exact. We crossed paths while working in a massive consulting firm, but here’s the kicker – we’ve always connected virtually. It’s only now that I’m getting to hang out with him in real life. Mo is a sales training maestro, and I’ve got to say, he’s one of the best I’ve come across.
So, what did Mo do? He organized a small conference he playfully called the Mashup, “Mastermind of Awesome Superhuman Unreal People.” It’s a bit tongue-in-cheek, but it’s pretty much a gathering of 42 top experts from various fields. These pros delivered nine killer learning sessions, each at the top of their game. The best part? We navigated through these over two incredible days and learned from the cream of the crop. And, we’re not stopping there. The plan is to keep collaborating and growing even after the event. It’s been nothing short of spectacular.
I live by Gandhi’s wisdom: “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” The spirit of continuous improvement is something I hold dear.
Here are my three straightforward nuggets of wisdom for you:
1. Read Every Day: I’m an ardent reader, and I block out at least half an hour every single day to read and learn. The moment I hear about an interesting book or topic, I dive right in. It doesn’t have to be 30 minutes for you; it could be as little as five. The key is to feed your curiosity daily.
2. Find the Right Mentor: Mo and I have this mutual mentorship going on. Our calls are pure gold, packed with insights and knowledge sharing. We always end up wishing for more time. Connecting with the right mentor can accelerate your growth.
3. Invest in Training: Learning is a lifelong journey. Whether it’s sales, productivity, leadership, or any other field that matters to you, investing in your training each year is a must. You’ve got to keep upping your game to stay at the top of your field.
So, my question for you is this: What do you do to keep continuously improving yourself?
This is this week’s Work Smarter: Live Better tip.
Now, Mo and I are off to keep the good times rolling – relaxing, learning, and sharing.
Have a fantastic time, and I’ll catch you soon!
A bientôt,
Cyril
