by Greg Hosted
Learning is essential to our existence and well-being. Continuous learning helps us to further our knowledge, develop critical thinking skills, and cope with change. Learning is more accessible than ever with opportunities for knowledge and information available at every turn, including at the touch of our fingertips online. A commitment to lifelong learning leads to job satisfaction, enhanced employment opportunities, and personal fulfilment. Below are some ideas and strategies (both simple and enhanced) to continually invest in yourself.
Simple ideas for learning something new every day
- Read something of interest and relevance every day. Carve time in your schedule to do so.
- Ask questions. Be open to alternative points of view. Stay curious. Use follow up questions for clarification and deeper understanding.
- Attend a CSC Chapter meeting or networking event. Build a network of ‘go-to’ people for advice and knowledge.
- Listen to a podcast or TED talk—a great way to learn something new while commuting or winding down before going to sleep.
- Evaluate, critique, and reflect on what you have previously learned.
- Try something new, even if it is out of your comfort zone. Work on a new project, build/create, teach, or do something to enhance your interaction with others.
Ideas for enhanced learning
- Search for a mentor. Build a relationship with someone you know and trust, can help you with specific challenges, and provide you with wisdom and enhanced learning opportunities.
- Take a course or enrol in a recognized curriculum to further your knowledge and enhance your credentials. CSC has a wide variety of courses available to the construction industry professional along with industry certifications. Check out the education and certification offerings at www.csc-dcc.ca/education.
- Teach something to others. Enhanced learning comes from teaching others and being open to new and differing perspectives. Many times the teacher can become the student and the student becomes the teacher.
A commitment to lifelong learning is not as onerous as it may sound. Small, simple actions and investments of time and focused energy can pay off big dividends in personal fulfillment and happiness.
This is great advice and promotes mindful interaction. I am a firm believer in the saying “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”
Its original use was meant as a compliment; but in recent times been downgraded as a slight, the phrase means that a person is a generalist rather than a specialist, versatile and adept at many things… which properly and appropriately applies to our community of specifiers. All of whom could be said to be Specialist Generalists.
Thanks for the message!!!