BUSINESSMANAGEMENTREVIEW.COMOCTOBER 20239with leadership in my organization, and ultimately secure a promotion managing a larger team.STRATEGIES FOR PROFESSIONAL GROWTHBusiness professionals can effectively embrace lifelong learning through intentionality and strategic planning.1.Set clear goalsGoal-oriented learning is a potent strategy. Define specific learning objectives aligned with your career aspirations. For instance, I aspired to expand my professional network of higher education leaders and recognized IELOL as a reputable program offering career growth opportunities. Applying to this program and fully engaging in its activities and discussions unexpectedly enriched me. It all began with a clear goal of expanding my network through formal leadership training.2.Diversity learning sourcesLearning should be multifaceted. Embrace a diverse knowledge base, whether through a MOOC (massive open online course) like Coursera3 or EdX4, mentorship via professional associations or a trusted colleague, or participation in industry events and conferences. Leverage email subscriptions or podcasts to seek varied perspectives and maintain a well-rounded understanding of your field, which will keep you current and greatly benefit your team.3.Create a planWhile implementing these strategies may seem daunting, effective time management becomes increasingly important with each addition to your schedule. Allocate dedicated time in your calendar and develop an actionable learning plan to ensure you adhere to your goals. Employing a microlearning approach, such as engaging with a weekly podcast or daily newsletter, can help leverage technology for efficient knowledge acquisition.4.Be intentionalCommit to making learning a core element of your daily, weekly, and monthly routine as a business professional. Personally, I use LinkedIn to stay connected daily, dedicating 15 to 20 minutes during my morning coffee to scroll through my feed. Recently, I discovered Kelly Nolan5, a former lawyer turned time management guru, with her realistic approach called the Bright MethodTM. I enrolled in her Reset & Refresh course and swiftly realized that calendaring everything is the key to comprehending how much work I've committed to. Her structured approach, geared toward professional working women, provides valuable insights applicable to anyone seeking to gain a better understanding of how they spend their time.As evidenced by my graduate work at UNT, active participation in professional organizations like the Online Learning Consortium, and engaging with thought leaders through LinkedIn, I am continuously immersed in learning opportunities. Lifelong learning is not a mere option but a requisite in today's professional world. The benefits of adaptability, problem-solving, innovation, and career advancement cannot be overstated. I encourage you to embark on your own journey by setting clear goals, diversifying knowledge sources, and honing your time management skills. The two hours I set aside every Friday enable me to conclude the week with a sense of accomplishment and kickstart my weekends positively. While employers are beginning to integrate learning into the workflow, having a personal learning and networking plan will keep you ahead.Embrace lifelong learning, and you'll discover it is the key to building resilience and achieving success in our ever-changing professional landscape. LIFELONG LEARNING IS NOT A MERE OPTION BUT A REQUISITE IN TODAY'S PROFESSIONAL WORLD
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