I still get amazed at people’s lack of drive towards professional development. No matter what role you are in, you should always make time for professional development. This can be as simple as reading a business book or attending free webinars. It can get as complex as attending a workshop or class that keep your job skills relevant. Regardless of what you choose, do something every day to improve your skills, expand your thinking and work on your professional development.
In today’s world, things are changing at a faster pace than ever. If you aren’t keeping up with these changes you will soon find yourself stuck in the “we’ve always done it this way” of thinking. Furthermore, if you aren’t focusing on self-development you may soon find yourself struggling to keep up. Coco Chanel is quoted as saying, “in order to stay relevant you must be irreplaceable”. The only way to do that is through continuous learning and intentional professional development.
In addition to learning something every day, change your routine frequently. Take a different route to work, stop at a different coffee shop, do something different to keep your mind off autopilot. Breaking your routine keeps your mind active and in a continual state of learning. It forces you to pay attention and think and is a simple thing to do for professional development.
Stay on the edge of excellence by reading magazines you don’t usually read. Talk to people you don’t usually speak to. Go to places you don’t commonly visit. Disrupt your thinking so it stays fresh + hungry + brilliant. Practicing continuous learning creates a professional development mindset that benefits you, your company, employees, clients, and stakeholders.
