Continually Learning...

With a new year upon us, many will have set personal and professional goals for self-development and improvement.? I’m personally not a ‘new year’s resolution’ type of guy, but I do believe fundamentally in always seeking to improve and grow as a person. ?I believe that continual learning is essentially for any leader.? Books, magazines, podcasts, webinars, and YouTube videos are all useful in building a deeper understanding of the world and your craft.

?With that in mind, I thought I’d share a strategy I use for personal development that I’ve found useful in recent years.?

?As a young bloke I loved reading, but over the years deteriorating eyesight and competition for spare time, meant I reached a point where I wasn’t reading as much as I’d like. ?Almost by accident I came across the wonderful world of audiobooks, and this began a habit of mine that I’ve come to think of as a bit of a super-power…

?I listen to at least one audiobook per week, in previously unproductive time like when driving or exercising.? Most books take about 8 – 10 hours of listening and I aim for an hour or two per day.? I buy my books through the apple store, and I have a few specific rules that form my habit:

• I always buy the book of the week, regardless of the genre.
• I finish every book I buy, regardless of whether I enjoy it or not.
• I try to learn something I can apply to my life from every book.

My habit has taken me down some weird and wonderful paths.? I’ve read from genres or topics that are completely outside my wheelhouse, but without exception have helped me to grow into a better, more well-rounded person.? Non-fiction books about business, or history, or war might be followed by fictional romance or fantasy (my two absolute least favourite genres). I recall a chaotic period where I jumped from a book about Gallipoli, to a ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ adult fiction, to Deepak Chopra’s Total Meditation, all in the space of a week.? Wild ride! A quick scan of my library shows just short of 400 books I’ve read in the past few years, and I think I’ve learned something from almost all of them.?

Sometimes when I share this with others they will ask – wouldn’t I prefer to just read books from authors or on topics that you like and enjoy – but therein lies the secret to the habit.? Growth comes when you are a bit uncomfortable and are stretching yourself.? When you are trying something that isn’t in your lane but teaches you something new.? It still surprises me how often I can use information I learn like this in my work, or in my personal life.?

It’s not for everyone, but thought it was worth sharing for anyone looking to try something new in the new year.