Learning Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Weekends)

Now seems a good time to pen down this article as it has been on my mind for quite a while. As working professionals, we know that staying current with industry knowledge is a must at every level and we are often told that a key enabler for this is to continuously invest in our growth and development.

However, where do we find the time to commit to ongoing learning when we are still trying to balance life, career and family? Are we to spend time during workhours for learning? Why can’t our organizations dedicate time off for personal development and learning activities?

The truth is that we can stick with these questions and viewpoints and watch the year go by without improvements when we could have taken actions. It really is no gain saying that committing to learning, training, and certifications can help us stay competitive, advance our careers, and expand our skill sets. This includes keeping up with the latest technologies, earning certifications, or advancing skills for future roles.

I get it, it all seem daunting but using the right strategies can help us integrate learning into our very busy schedules. I want to take some time to share some tips that I use and have worked for me. I encourage you to read on, adopt which ones will be easy for you to implement in a non-invasive way and plan for the next period (3 months, 6 months, 1 year or even 2 years). Remember, the goal is to continuously improve regardless of whether our organizations demand it or not.

1. What do you want for yourself?

First, identify areas where you want to improve or skills you want to acquire. Instead of approaching learning broadly, align your learning goals with your career aspirations. I started learning Database Administration when I was an IT Support Analyst. I knew I wanted a career in the data space and that was the best way for me at the time even though I do not use the skills right now. I also started preparing for a business analysis certification while I was a relationship manager in the retail marketing team. This I did because I wanted to get into the Project Management team within my then organization. I had to take the classroom training twice and spend a number of months reading as the concepts were new to me then but that’s another story.

So, do you want to master a specific skill set, earn a certification that’s highly valued in your industry, or prepare for a future leadership role? Setting goals based on your career path can help with prioritizing learning opportunities.

• Start by identifying 2-3 courses, certifications or training programs relevant to your role or the next step in your career.
• Write them down and prioritize based on your goals and available resources.
• Break down the larger goals into smaller, achievable milestones
• Develop a timeline for completing each learning activity.

2. How much time and money can you commit?

Many professionals hesitate to pursue certifications due to time or financial concerns. To address this, break down the costs—both time and money—associated with learning and find ways to fit them into your routine and budget. For me, I would recommend starting with the time and just prepare anyway. There are a lot of free resources online and on sites like YouTube. Seneca famously said that Opportunity meets preparation and this is the truth. I dedicated time to preparing for my first certification even though I could not afford it at the time. It was eventually paid for by a mentor. I have adopted this same principle for a number of exams since then. I keep studying whether I have the means for the exams or not. No knowledge is wasted after all.

• For time, dedicate specific hours in your weekly calendar to learning. Even 30 minutes a day can make a difference. For me, I go into the office earlier than everyone and spend the first 30 minutes to an hour studying before work starts. This has worked pretty well for me and I usually do not have to spend time after work or on weekends studying.
• For budgeting, look for employer-sponsored training programs, free or discounted online courses, or similar resources for professional development. Negotiate learning as part of your career development during performance reviews.

3. Make Learning a part of your Daily Life

Balancing work with learning requires integration into your daily routine and this can be done in the most non-invasive way. Adopt the concept of microlearning to help break down large topics into manageable sessions, i.e. taking small, digestible lessons each day even if it is 20 to 30 minutes per day.

• Identify which period of the day works for you and block off that time in your schedule for learning activities. Remember to treat your learning time as a non-negotiable commitment. You can also use periods of downtime, such as commutes or lunch breaks, for quick learning sessions.
• You can also sign up for podcasts, follow online tutorials, or subscribe to short courses that deliver learning content in small bites, allowing you to learn during commutes, lunch breaks, or downtime. I find that listening to podcasts during drive time can be really helpful.

For my data governance people, few examples are “The Data Governance 360 Podcast”, “Lightsondata” on YouTube, “The Data Protection and Privacy Podcast” and so many others. You just need to search with the keywords.

4. Do you have company resources you can take advantage of?

Many organizations offer internal training platforms or have partnerships with third-party providers to support employee development. Many also have professional development programs or tuition reimbursement for their employees. Leveraging these resources can make learning accessible and also help you align your learning with organizational needs.

• Explore if your company has platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, Udemy for business or in-house learning modules.
• Discuss your learning goals with your manager and seek their support and inquire about additional learning opportunities sponsored by the company e.g. workshops, seminars, or mentorship programs.

5. Use Certifications as Motivation

Earning a certification can be beneficial as it provides a concrete milestone, that makes your progress visible. We know certifications are not everything (relative to actual experience) but they can signal your commitment to your field and help unlock new roles, responsibilities, or salary increments. So, make certification a part of your career roadmap, as each one can bring tangible rewards.

• Research relevant certifications that have both a high professional value and a practical application. Plan for certifications that match industry trends to ensure relevance.
• Also, note that the landscape of certifications and learning is constantly changing. As new technologies, methodologies, and trends emerge, you may need to adapt and ensure that your learning path aligns with current market demands.
• Stay updated by attending industry conferences where possible, following thought leaders in your field, or subscribing to industry journals.
• Another thing is to browse through job vacancies even if you are not actively searching, the objective is to identify what the market is looking for and adjust your learning needs accordingly.

6. Build a Learning Support Network

If you can manage it, learning with peers can be useful for creating accountability and opening up avenues for collaborative study and idea-sharing. Joining a community of learners, either within or outside your organization, can help maintain motivation and offer support during challenging moments.

You can also join online forums, study groups, or local professional meetups related to your field. Another tip is to share your learning journey with a mentor, your partner or a colleague to keep yourself accountable.

7. Show Workings and Celebrate Progress

Finally, look for opportunities to use the newly acquired skills in your work. Share learnings with colleagues where possible to solidify your understanding.

• Document your learning journey and track your progress to maintain motivation in achieving your learning goals and reward yourself for milestones reached. This also helps you to adjust your learning plan as needed.
• Create a personal dashboard where you track completed courses, certifications, and hours spent on learning. I use a spreadsheet where I break down learning modules into days and minutes and mark the completed cells with green highlight. It might be a lot to set up but it works for me.
• Celebrate every win and milestone by acknowledging your achievements.

Committing to learning and earning certifications is an ongoing process that pays off in the long run, both for career advancement and in personal fulfilment. Remember to stay curious and open to new ideas and perspectives. Keep evolving, assess your skills regularly to identify areas for further development. With the right strategy, we can balance and better manage our professional commitments and personal growth.

So, let’s discuss. What has worked for you so far in terms of personal development? Which of these tips can you relate with and will you be adopting any?