I've attended two graduations in the past month, one for my daughter and one for my son. They walked across the stage to accept their diplomas, and my wife and I were as proud as could be.
I got to thinking about this milestone and can't help but wonder if we would all be better off if we had to go through some kind of commencement exercise every few years. Many of us get our formal education and then never again think about picking up a book or taking another course in anything. Not very smart.
Our education should continue throughout life. We need to learn in order to earn. Here are some ways.
I got to thinking about this milestone and can't help but wonder if we would all be better off if we had to go through some kind of commencement exercise every few years. Many of us get our formal education and then never again think about picking up a book or taking another course in anything. Not very smart.
Our education should continue throughout life. We need to learn in order to earn. Here are some ways.
1. Develop a reading list. It should be a combination of classics you never got to in school and new books that are in your field or in a field you want to explore. Be sure to check out your local library, where you can borrow the books for free.
2. Blogs. There on numerous experts who write regulary about their industry or their take on life. Most of them offer their comments free of charge. You'll often find that they link to other experts whose blogs also may be worthing reading.
3. Podcasts. Podcasts are audio programs that can be streamed online or downloaded to your computer or smart phone. These range from a few minutes to an hour or more in length, depending on the subject and format. Search them out in the same way as blogs. Listen while you jog.
4. Audio and video programs. YouTube isn't just for funny animal videos any more. You can learn amazing things simply from the how-to videos people have posted. Both audio and video programs can often be purchased and downloaded instantly. That's the beauty of digital distribution.
5. Formal education. Your local community college has a variety of courses available for adults interested in everything from investments to photography to cooking. It's a great resource.
6. Mentor. Chances are there's someone at your company or in your church who would be willing to offer some one-on-one coaching. Learning from someone a little older and more experienced is a great way to improve your performance and advance your career.
So, learning shouldn't stop on commencement day. It goes on as long as we live. Our brains can continue to absorb new and exciting information. Processing it through our own experience is what gives us a unique perspective that we can use to share with others.
@wesbleed
2. Blogs. There on numerous experts who write regulary about their industry or their take on life. Most of them offer their comments free of charge. You'll often find that they link to other experts whose blogs also may be worthing reading.
3. Podcasts. Podcasts are audio programs that can be streamed online or downloaded to your computer or smart phone. These range from a few minutes to an hour or more in length, depending on the subject and format. Search them out in the same way as blogs. Listen while you jog.
4. Audio and video programs. YouTube isn't just for funny animal videos any more. You can learn amazing things simply from the how-to videos people have posted. Both audio and video programs can often be purchased and downloaded instantly. That's the beauty of digital distribution.
5. Formal education. Your local community college has a variety of courses available for adults interested in everything from investments to photography to cooking. It's a great resource.
6. Mentor. Chances are there's someone at your company or in your church who would be willing to offer some one-on-one coaching. Learning from someone a little older and more experienced is a great way to improve your performance and advance your career.
So, learning shouldn't stop on commencement day. It goes on as long as we live. Our brains can continue to absorb new and exciting information. Processing it through our own experience is what gives us a unique perspective that we can use to share with others.
@wesbleed
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