Prioritize Learning

TLDR

Teachable Moment: Stay consistent and committed with your learning efforts amidst a busy work schedule.

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The Problem

Everyone’s always busy.

As a leader, you’re constantly pulled in multiple directions.

Between putting out fires (usually figurative) and juggling your responsibilities as a people manager, the concept of free time is laughable at best.

And with so much on your plate, it’s easy to slip into the mindset that there’s no time for you to crack open that book or finally start that online course you purchased last year.

But here’s the thing - learning and personal growth aren’t just nice-to-haves.

They’re crucial for your success as a leader, both now and in the long run.

When you don’t prioritize your own learning and development, you miss out on new ideas, perspectives, and best practices.

You run the risk of stagnating and falling behind - a recipe for disaster as the world of work constantly changes.

So what can you do?

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The Solution

It’s simple.

Make learning a priority.

At a minimum, commit to one hour of learning a week.

This can be in the form of reading, taking a course, or even having conversations with colleagues or mentors.

Keep it consistent and plan your learning around the same time/day to build a habit.

If you’re struggling to find a time that works, try scheduling learning on Fridays before noon.

Fridays tend to be slower and calmer as everyone ramps up for the weekend.

You’ll eventually look forward to your learning time and prioritize it as part of your schedule.

Don’t stall in your growth just because you’re “busy.”

After all, if you stop learning and growing, what kind of message do you think it sends to your employees?