Tag: personal-development

Cultivating Lifelong Learning for Career Growth

AmyLeave a comment

Recently, a close friend lost their job unexpectedly, and it got me thinking about the uncertainty in today’s job market. Over the years, I’ve seen friends and family struggle to find meaningful work. Now, many are just trying to find any work at all. I feel grateful for the stability of my current role, but I’m always aware that it may not last forever. What advice can I offer to those searching for work? What steps am I taking to prepare for the unexpected?

1. Make Learning a Lifelong Habit

As kids, we counted the days until school was over—unless you were like me and actually enjoyed it. But after college, things become less structured. The one thing school didn’t teach me was how to teach myself. It took me years to develop this skill. Books like “Ultralearning,” “Atomic Habits,” and “Deep Work” have been particularly inspiring for me this year. These resources have helped me discover how to learn effectively on my own terms.

2. Organize Your Life for Growth

Organizing your life doesn’t have to mean rigid planning. It’s about understanding your responsibilities and finding time to focus on personal growth. Tools like the HB90 program by Sarra Cannon at Heartbreathings, combined with books like “Slow Productivity,” have helped me re-evaluate my priorities and goals. I find that even when I don’t stick to my plans, I’m still moving toward my objectives. Periodically revisiting my goals helps me stay on track.

3. Cultivate Adaptability

Being too rigid can hinder progress. Life will throw obstacles your way, and the key to success is navigating around them. Earlier this year, I had to adapt to new responsibilities—some by choice, others not. These changes required adjusting my schedule, but I’ve managed to meet my goals while still growing in new ways. Being adaptable is essential for overcoming unexpected challenges. Bob Galen at Agile Moose is a big proponent of journaling to help understand the complexities of life and career. Keeping a journal can help you reflect on your experiences, track changes, and adapt to new circumstances.

4. Prioritize Your Health

Everyone knows the importance of living a healthy life, but it’s often hard to prioritize. Investing in your health is crucial, as neglecting it can lead to irreversible damage. Books like “Outlive” and “Atomic Habits,” along with health & fitness influencers on YouTube, have been my go-to resources for staying inspired and learning more about wellness. While I still have a long way to go, I’ve made significant improvements in recent months, and the benefits are subtle but undeniable.

Weaving Life and Career Together

Notice that none of these points directly address careers. That’s intentional. Integrating your life and goals with your career is crucial. When I stopped living just to make my bosses happy, I began to grow more than ever. Everything I focus on outside my 9-5 strengthens my career and makes me more resilient.

The Point of It All

The core message here is to focus on building yourself. Develop a toolkit of skills and surround yourself with people who can offer guidance and support. Don’t shy away from challenges; instead, be open to change and growth. By doing so, you’ll not only navigate uncertainty but thrive in it.

Book Review – Ultralearning

AmyLeave a comment

Ultralearning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career by Scott Young

Ultralearning is a book that caught my attention due to its promise of revolutionizing the way we approach learning. As someone who has been on a personal journey to be more intentional with my learning, this book offered a refreshing perspective. Over the years, I found that rigid learning plans often stifled my curiosity. It wasn’t until I embraced my interests and allowed myself to explore them organically that I truly started to make progress. This approach aligns beautifully with Scott Young’s philosophy in Ultralearning.

Scott Young does an exceptional job of delving into the science of learning. His extensive research and engaging narrative make the book not just informative but also highly readable. He presents strategies that challenge conventional learning methods, advocating for a more self-directed and intense approach to mastering skills.

“The best ultralearners are those who blend the practical reasons for learning a skill with an inspiration that comes from something that excites them.”

“Learning, at its core, is a broadening of horizons, of seeing things that were previously invisible and of recognizing capabilities within yourself that you didn’t know existed.”

“Ultralearning is a strategy for acquiring skills and knowledge that is both self-directed and intense. It’s a strategy that can be applied to a wide range of learning tasks, from languages to business skills to personal development.”

Key Thoughts

  • Embracing curiosity is crucial. When I stopped forcing myself to stick to a strict learning plan and instead followed my interests, I noticed significant improvement in my skills. This aligns with Young’s emphasis on self-directed learning.
  • The book encourages a mindset shift from passive learning to active engagement. It’s not about memorizing facts but about deeply understanding concepts and applying them.
  • Young’s approach to learning is intense but rewarding. It’s about diving deep into a subject, tackling challenges head-on, and pushing the boundaries of what you think you can achieve.
  • One of the book’s core messages is that learning is a lifelong journey. As I start looking towards the end of my career I am focusing more on what I can learn to help me grow versus just earning a paycheck.
  • The idea of “ultralearning” extends beyond personal goals. It’s about inspiring others, including children, to embrace learning as a dynamic and enjoyable process.

Questions to Ponder

  • How can I apply the principles of ultralearning to my current interests and projects?
  • In what ways can I encourage my children to become self-directed learners?
  • What skills do I want to master, and how can I structure my learning to achieve these goals?
  • How can I balance the intensity of ultralearning with maintaining a well-rounded life?

A Few Tools for Embracing Ultralearning

  • Focus on active recall and practice testing to reinforce learning.
  • Break down complex subjects into manageable chunks and tackle them systematically.
  • Use feedback loops to identify areas for improvement and adjust learning strategies accordingly.
  • Embrace challenges and view them as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles.
  • Encourage a culture of curiosity and continuous learning in your personal and professional life.

In conclusion, Ultralearning by Scott Young offers valuable insights into mastering skills and accelerating personal growth. While the approach is intense, it is also highly rewarding, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the learning process. As I continue my journey, I am inspired to apply these principles not only to my life but also to guide my children in their learning adventures.