Here are the Top-3 non-negotiable investments I did to boost my career...
Tony Tiyou
Founder, CEO & Editor-in-Chief @ Renewables in Africa (RiA) | Clean Energy Solutions
I love travelling and my job requires me to do so. This is without dispute one of the perks I enjoyed the most and those of you having to do the same would probably?understand. And strangely enough have you noticed how we could tend to use?this is time to reflect on our journey so far? Especially when we are laying on our chair listening to good music in the plane (or whatever means os transport you are using). We are?be more receptive to songs and it could be a very relaxing and
... creative?moment. At least it is for me.
As I was flying to Washington DC to attend The Economist Sustainability Week conference, I particularly thought about the key investments I had to make to get to this stage. Yes investments. You heard it right. From my humble opinion you could expect to construct anytime meaningful or to go through a transformation without doing any. If you ever did, I'll be grateful to hear and learn from you.
For the time being let me share my own investments tips:
This one I am certain will not be challenged by anyone. To be good at anything you simply need to dedicate enough time to work at it. Malcom Gladwell summarised well by saying that we need a minimum 10,000 hours to become a Master in our chosen field. What does it mean concretely? Supposing that you will dedicate 4 hours to practice your art/skill, you need a little less than 7 years to become an expert. Doctors, engineers, lawyers would probably not disagree:-)
?In my case, it took me about 6 years to start emerging and I promise you're only still seeing the tip of the iceberg.
Oh yes!! Let get it straight. You'll be extremely disappointed if you were hoping to only acquire new competences through free sources. We all start by the non-paying material and this is a good way to start (I usually refer it to the Youtube and Google universities) but ultimately if you want to progress you need to get some sort of formal training: university, training courses (physical or virtual), mentors, etc. I could hear some of you may be tempted to say that everything is available on internet so why paying? Well, all medical training may well be documented and available but does it make you become a doctor? If yes, let me emit on the number of patients who will come to you.
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In my case, beside going to university to learn Renewables I have done all of the rest, investing for sure tens of thousands. Time to make returns now:-)
What could be the last key investment?
This one I suspect will come at a huge surprise to many but think about what I mention in a last piece about problems? To progress, we need problems to challenge us and allow us to grow and expand our skills. They are part of life remember? As we are going througb them, we will be at times emotionally completely drained and?discouraged. We may at time lose the drive to continue. This is the time our heart should help pull us through. Like any muscle, we need to train it to carry us when needed.
I for one, made a big investment in heart and I could confess to you that I would not be talking to you today if it wasn't for it.
So how strong is your heart? I could lease mine for a day or two but I probably have to charge you for that:-)
See you in my next trip.