‘I wish I had more time to read and learn’.
When I take a leadership team through the Work Smarter: Live Better program, I ask them a simple question at the start of the journey: if you had more time for you, what would you do?
Most leaders mention they would like to have more time with their family, more time for themselves, more time for their health. I also often get ‘more time to read and to learn, but it never happens. I give a lot to my work, what’s left to the family and the crumbs to my health. Time to read and learn, I wish…”.
In this video, I want to share with you a simple piece of advice that can help you improve and develop yourself without investing any extra time.
Did you know that if you use just 15 minutes of your daily time for learning or personal development, it adds up to over 91 hours of learning in a year?
Nearly 100 hours… That’s equivalent to more than two full work weeks of dedicated learning time!
I hear you: ‘Cyril, how can I find 15mn per day???’.
Simple, use your dead time.
By simply utilizing small pockets of “dead time,” you can turn them into valuable learning opportunities and make a significant impact on your personal growth and development.
The good news is that you may already have some “dead time” in your day that can be turned into “growth time.” Dead time is any time where you are doing something that does not require your full attention, such as when you are commuting or doing household chores.
To turn your dead time into growth time, I suggest two things. First, identify your dead time. What are some activities you do where you could easily listen to something and learn at the same time?
Second, create a list. Make a list of podcasts, YouTube videos, audiobooks, or other learning materials that you want to listen to during your dead time. You will be amazed at how much you can learn in just a few minutes per day.
For example, I have created a list called “Listen in the Car.” One of my dead times is when I’m driving to the gym, which takes 10 minutes each way. Instead of listening to music, I listen to a podcast or audiobook from my “Listen in the Car” list. This has helped me turn my dead time into growth time.
So, my question for you is this: What is your dead time? Can you find 10 or 15 minutes per day to listen and learn?
Remember the words of Gandhi, “Live as if you’re going to die tomorrow, learn as if you’re going to live forever.” Start turning your dead time into growth time today and see the benefits for yourself.
This is this week’s Work Smarter: Live Better tip.
I hope you find it helpful.
A bientôt,
Cyril