In this series, we are talking about how we achieve a good rate of return on our investments beyond our money.
The reality is that where our money goes isn’t really the best indicator of what our future is going to look like.
Our priorities and choices in every part of our lives are a factor.
What is in common across everything is that before we can have a return, we must invest.
You may be saying, Of course! I knew that. But in fact, the three areas we are going to explore together are, in many cases, not giving us the highest possible return because we are NOT really strategically investing in them.
We may be experiencing them, but that is not the same as investing in them.
In part 2, we’re talking about ROL or Return on LEARNING.
Are you a strategic learner? You can be curious, even a committed lifelong learner, but again, while that is admirable (and important!), if we want a measurable return, we have to have a clear intention AND investment.
It is in our learning strategy that we set our path for growth more than anywhere else. Here are five guidelines to help you as you create your own learning plan:
- Understand the difference between knowledge and skill and develop both. Gaining knowledge on a subject to deepen expertise has a different priority than learning how to do something. Make sure that you know what success looks like once you have gained knowledge or developed a skill. What should you be able to do once you’ve achieved it?
- Devote at least 30 minutes daily to expanding your knowledge in your area of expertise and influence. As experts, remember that our role is also to act as a curator or distiller of a vast bank of growing knowledge and create continued value. Make certain that you are including both established experts/mentors and emerging voices in your area of expertise in your study.
- Include personal skill-building and development in your learning plan. This area is what I’ve come to think of as life harmony. When we say life balance, it implies some kind of equality in how we distribute resources, and that doesn’t prove realistic for me. But harmony is something I can (and do) embrace. Harmony means we are making space for all the threads in our lives. And when they are in sync, we make music! What interests you as a person? Italian cooking? A particular art medium? If time and money were not a factor, what would you want to learn? Make a way to learn that! If you care about something, study it and practice it.
- Learn alone and in groups. Being able to discuss what we are learning can be invaluable for identifying innovative ways to apply the newly acquired knowledge. If taking a class with others doesn’t appeal to you, consider joining a mastermind where you can gain new insights and learn from other business leaders in the group. Taking advantage of today’s global technologies and joining learning communities online is another approach. It has been my experience that group settings are often the best place for me to learn outside my primary work. They become a social community as well because our shared interest generates an immediate bond.
- Have a learning vision log. Have you ever wanted to find time to learn something but could never seem to do so? Getting those areas of interest committed to a learning vision log gives you a place to refer to when creating your learning plan calendar. The time you allocate to learning can then be prioritized based on what you want to know vs. whatever comes across your path. Not sure where to start? Here are three ideas:
- What skills or knowledge do you respect and admire in others?
- What do you hire others to do for you today that you find interesting?
- If you could only learn three new things in the next year, what would you choose?
Being strategic about our personal and professional growth can and should be fun as well as immensely rewarding!
REMINDER: Achieving a RETURN begins with making an INVESTMENT. And STRATEGY simply means beginning with the end in mind.
What do you want to know? What do you want to master?
What will help you create your best self and the life you want to live?
Start there.
