Tuesday Thoughts | 16 August 2022 | Always Be Learning

I believe that there a few things you should be able to list off at the end of each day; something you learned, something you messed up (that you hopefully fixed); and something you did to make the world a better place. Because, Self Awareness and Self Improvement don’t take days off.

Since earning my degree in 2004, I’ve earned a professional designation, taken courses at Seneca College, and also through the School of Continuing Education at U of T. I’ve built a toolbox of on-the-job skills and picked up all sorts of random experiences by tinkering both in the physical and digital world. I’ve read countless books, and during the early days of safe-at-home I became a Certified Organizational Specialist and earned my Boat License.

And, all of that is not particularly remarkable, in fact, there have been times when I’ve been a complete slacker, preferring to fall down a rabbit hole of staring into a glowing screen – for the purposes of this exercise at least, let’s just pretend that being able to recite all of the dialogue from the first four seasons of the West Wing isn’t a skill-set worth mentioning here.

Despite having taken a few breaks along the way – including my intentional “year of sloth” when I decided that having sat on a Board of Directors for four years, while earning my CAE, while also holding a couple other volunteer roles (all in addition to a full time + work week) *might* have earned me a year of intentionally doing less; I try to be really disciplined about always having something I’m learning formally, picking up from friends and family, or teaching myself to do.

I know that you don’t get good at things without first being not so great at things.

I’m confident that I’ve spent my first 10,000 hours on Not-for-Profit Management; in fact, just last week someone paid me an incredible compliment when they remarked on how evident it was that I work hard at the “craft” of Association Management. Yet, I’ve continued to work at getting better, I’m reasonably sure I’ve completed more CPD (Continuing Professional Development) hours than any other Canadian CAE this year - 107.5 hours as of August 1, 2022 (129 total, including those hours that exceed the maximum in that category) *.

Part of the reason that I’m crushing my CPD hours is because I’m currently pursing an additional professional designation, this time the Chartered Director (C.Dir) offered through the Directors College by the DeGroote School at McMaster University; and, I’ve been teaching a course at Seneca College (you can count instruction hours during the first delivery of the material), which in turn has forced me to really examine what I can learn from teaching Organizational Behaviour that I can apply to my own growth and development as a leader.

I believe that, learning through teaching and sharing knowledge is one of the best ways to build new skills, and not just in the classroom. I hone my writing craft each week by composing these #TuesdayThoughts (did you know you can subscribe to be notified of each new issue?); I become a stronger public speaker every time I deliver a lecture or a workshop, or sit on a panel, or appear on the radio as a guest; and I’m teaching myself video editing as I strive to create content for my YouTube Channel – the One Woman Island – that is helpful to others (this week’s video walks you through how to use a caulking gun, and premiers today).

My hope is that something resonates from my (let’s face it, kind of braggy) list, that makes you think “if she can do it, I can do it, so I will” and gets you farther down the road to growth than you would be otherwise.

My Call to Action This Week: is to Always Be Learning (ABL - which I like to pronounce as “able”), and to seek to share the knowledge you continue to build. Is there something I can teach you? Is there something you’d like to teach me? What’s the coolest thing you’ve learned/accomplished in 2022? Let me know in the comments.

*If you still need a copy of the Excel Template I’m using to track my CAE CPD Hours, its linked to a post in Associations Connect, or you can DM me with an email address to send it to.

New and Noteworthy?is a collection of things readers of?#TuesdayThoughts?might find interesting, important, or informative;

??What to Read:?Passengers with Disabilities Say They Want to Remain in Wheelchairs on Flights from CBC News | Best Before Dates are Long Past Their Prime in Canada, Lori Nikkel in the Ottawa Citizen | Rise and Shine: The Daily Routines of History's Most Creative Minds in the Guardian h/t Alain Pescador

??What to Watch: Leadership, Communication and Power Skills featuring Erin Thorp - from Tami Adams and TA Speakers | Imagine Canada Webinar 8 Fundraising Tips to Help You Raise More with Less Effort featuring Cindy Wagman from The Good Partnership

?? What to Listen To: "She Has Authenticity" Podcast featuring Carly Silberstein and Baily Roth

????What to Do:?Attend the Canadian Meetings + Events Expo, will I see you at CMEE? (I'll be on the show floor this afternoon, and I look forward to connecting with many of you) | Take a Course through Sarah Sladek's Member University h/t Kaitlin Solomon | Get Involved in planning the EVENT 2023 h/t Tim Whalen

????♀?Cool Jobs (Paid and Volunteer):?Director, Fund Development @ MLSE Foundation | Policy Program Manager @ CIRA | Director, Events and Education h/t Jack Shand at The Portage Group | Event Planner @ Managing Matters h/t Brenda Perrin | Director, Government and Stakeholder Relations @ ACEC-Ontario | Various Events Management Positions @ TIAC

??Take Note:?Curious Public's Uplift Program for NFPs, selected orgs get 3 months of FREE Agency Communication Services | Working Together to Keep LinkedIn Safe h/t Andrew Yu | Let Event Minds Matter help you demonstrate how your Event Industry Company is promoting a Mentally Fit Work Environment

??I am a Certified Association Executive with nearly over a dozen years of experience in leadership positions in Canada's Not-for-Profit Sector; as a College Professor, occasional Speaker, and contributor to blogs, newsletters, and media, I am skilled at using the art of storytelling to explain my ideas and inform audiences and readers on a variety of topics.

??♀?I am also a Certified Organizational Specialist and Practical Minimalist, who happens to have an unhealthy love for Excel Spreadsheets. I don't do this work often, but I am always happy to give a bit of advice if you are struggling.

??Did you know I also paint and draw? I am passionate about the benefits of Adult Colouring, and can create custom colouring sheets for speech and workshop audiences, by request.

Not-for-Profit Consulting Services?(pdf) | Check Out my website?daniellerussell.ca

Join my community, where?I Connect People and Ideas. Use?#TuesdayThoughts?to share this edition of the Newsletter with your networks.

LinkedIn?Danielle S. Russell, CAE (she/her)?| Instagram ???@danielle.s.russell?| Twitter?@dani__russell?|?YouTube???One Woman Island

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