Learn or die. Using the 5-hr rule...

The professional world is evolving at a fast pace, and constant career threats such as automation and outsourcing are making people anxious about for their long-term job stability. AT&T's CEO and Chairman, Randall Stephenson, has gone on record saying those who aren't learning 5-10 hours per week "will obsolete themselves." The new reality is, in order to remain relevant, professionals need to continue to invest in their learning, guaranteeing that their future selves are relevant and marketable.

So, with all the professional and personal benefits that can come from continuous learning, what’s stopping you from starting a course, learning a something new, or taking on a project? The most common reason people give—a lack of time.

While it’s true that learning new skills and concepts can take a lot of time (especially if you’re aiming to be an expert), how we view the steps to achieving a learning goal makes all the difference. If we break a project or a skillset down to just an hour a day, suddenly, the task becomes much more achievable. This concept is rooted in the popular time management philosophy, the 5-Hour Rule.

The 5-Hour Rule was created by Michael Simmons and is based on Benjamin Franklin’s habits of learning and self-improvement. The rule is simple: dedicate one hour a day to work on yourself. How you fill that hour with can vary widely, but be intentional about it; set a specific professional goal and refer back to it throughout your everyday learning.

And a great opportunity to find an hour per day: hack your commute.

The benefits that come from learning and mastering a new skill are invaluable to your professional life. By leveraging the 5-hour rule and working towards a specific goal, you can begin improving yourself and your career today, one hour at a time.