A person who wants to grow needs a desire to learn. On a scale of 1-10, what’s your desire for learning?
Now, take a moment to do a job search for positions you would be interested in considering now or in the near future. Read about the qualities of the ideal candidate. Are you equipped with the work experience, skills, and qualities desired by the employer? Do you feel you are lacking in some key areas? Do you believe your cover letter and resume would be pulled by the Human Resources staff to schedule an interview among the hundreds of applicants?
Is it time to give your career the attention it deserves by investing in learning? When was the last time you added a new skill, key responsibility, certification, or degree to your resume?
The world of work is changing! Are you keeping up? How can you afford not to? Expect that a commitment to learning will require time and hard work.
Employers are better served when employees thirst for knowledge and seek to advance their skills. There are many ways to acquire knowledge and skills today. Learners can read books and other publications, enroll in college courses, watch online videos, register for classes and workshops, acquire certifications, attend conferences, engage in Webinars, and so much more.
Investing in learning is known to help retain current employment, obtain new employment, build confidence, increase happiness, and even raise your pay. The return on this investment can be priceless.
It is possible that you might be self-employed or not work for an employer who values or is willing to financially support your professional development. In that case, create an annual training budget for yourself so you can remain competitive in today’s job market. Making your career a priority is important and absolutely impacts your overall financial wellness.
What has helped to drive my passion for continuous learning is the choice I have made to view work as something I do that is meaningful verses a place I go to each workday. When I am engaged in meaningful work, I want to give my best effort; and to give my best effort I am engaged in continuous learning. Abigail Adams wrote that learning is not attained by chance. It must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.