I love learning. And I’m sure you do too! Yet, I feel that so many people miss the, often free, opportunities we are presented with to learn. I think for the majority this comes down to time. “I’m already really busy trying to grow my business, how can I possibly make time to learn how?” Sound familiar? I thought I’d share with you five ways I learn more without spending time I don’t have on doing it.
1. Listen to Podcasts
Podcasts are now my go to when I want to learn something new. If I’m faced with a challenge in my business, or something I want to achieve, I search the podcast library for the solution. I often find great new podcast channels as a result. I don’t then stop what I’m doing and listen to the podcast. Instead, I save it and then listen to it while I walk the dog. Or while I’m in the gym. Or cleaning the house. The wireless headphones go in, and I listen to the podcast. It’s amazing what you can learn in a half hour dog walk, and I always get home and have to jot down all the things I want to implement.
2. Watch YouTube Videos
YouTube is definitely another go to for me. Especially for anything I need to visually learn, such as how to do something online. I also love watching/listening to TED talks on YouTube, or searching for speeches from business people who inspire me. Every evening, when I’m cooking dinner, I play a YouTube video at the same time, to learn while I cook!
3. READ Kindle Books
I can’t deny, I absolutely love a proper paperback book. A Kindle to me just doesn’t beat the feel of a book in my hands. Yet I still have a Kindle. It lives in my bag. And I have the Kindle app on my phone. For a start, Kindle books are often much cheaper or on special offer, compared to paperbacks. Many business book authors run 99p promotions for their Kindle book (as you saw me do last week with my book! The offer is over, but you can still grab the book here if you haven’t already). But the main bonus for me is that having a Kindle library full of business books means I always have a book with me. If I’m waiting for someone for a meeting, or I’m sat in the doctors waiting room, or anywhere that I don’t have my computer with me and I bit of time on my hands, I read some of the Kindle book I have on the go at that time. I also always read before bed, even if it’s just 10 minutes. And I have been known to pick up my phone and open the Kindle app in the small hours of the morning when sleep is evading me!
4. LISTEN TO Audio Books
I definitely prefer reading to listening to books. But reading takes a good bit of time commitment. You can’t really do anything else at the same time. So, listening to the audio version of the book is often a better option. As with podcasts, I sometimes listen to audiobooks while walking the dog and doing jobs round the house. But mostly, I reserve audio books for long car journeys. Those few hours in the car are no longer wasted, as I’m learning as I travel.
5. Manage Blog Sites With Feedly
I love reading blogs. They keep me up to date with the latest goings on in social media. And also often give me some great business ideas. There are about 30 blog sites that I really enjoy and get lots from. I use Feedly to help me keep on top of any new posts from my favourite sites. Then, each morning, I spend about 10 minutes having a look through new posts of interest. Feedly is free to use and there is both a browser version and an app.
Learning (and taking action from what you’ve learnt) is such an important part of growing a business. I really hope I’ve given you an insight in to how you can learn more without spending lots of extra time doing it! Happy learning!!!
