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By Elizabeth Verwey
It's easy to get lost in the vortex of your job and forget to develop your personal skills and abilities. September and January are timeframes for reflection. They are also natural times for goal setting and new beginnings. I know that it's a fine time to re-commit oneself to being a lifelong learner. Interesting courses are starting soon.
While it's important to stay current with business trends and the ideas being discussed in our industry, there's more to being a lifelong learner. It's about the breadth of life: about learning things that are not essential to our business.
A few clients have told me that they find it difficult to have conversations that are not related to their work. They allow little time for other things in their busy days. This can work against them in business. This can even squeeze out a personal life.
When was the last time you read a book that was not related to your business? Do you subscribe to any magazines for pleasure? Tell me about the last play or movie you saw? What new ideas have you opened yourself to recently?
There can be room for other things in your life. You can make the time. Your business will be even stronger if you get away. You return with a new perspective; new information. You can start small. Choose one thing that you really want to do - and book it into your schedule. It may be a daylong workshop or visit to the local Art Gallery.
Hobbies reduce stress. When I took a life drawing course, I was amazed by the meditative mindset that my complete focus generated. Total concentration allowed me to escape every thought that came with me to class. I left feeling refreshed and recharged. When I played indoor soccer one winter, I felt like a teen again. It was all consuming. There is very little that can distract you when you're chasing down the ball with an opponent in hot pursuit.
September and January are both good times to review your personal development. New terms begin at school. Is it time to learn a new language - or just sing a new tune? Take time to learn new things - not directly related to your business life. It will keep your brain active and new thoughts and ideas will come home with you — to enrich your personal life.
Elizabeth Verwey of Small Office Mentors guides people to become more effective in their time and space management. Contact Elizabeth
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