Wow did this summer go by quickly. In less than two weeks my oldest son will be heading to Middle School. We’re spending these last days of summer preparing for school by shopping, finishing up summer homework and trying to get him to bed at a decent hour.
Getting him ready to go “back to school” got me to thinking about how learning is something you should never stop doing. Especially when you’re an entrepreneur! (I love to learn anything and everything.)
Time is a precious commodity to entrepreneurs so the question becomes when do we find the time? Here are a few tips to help you find the time to keep learning all year long.
1. Schedule time each week
Learning has to become an obsession or habit. What’s an easy way to help build a habit? Schedule it!
2. Read, Read, & Read
Find blogs, websites, and books that help you become a better person and entrepreneur. Here are a few ideas:
Entrepreneur.com – Great site for helpful articles and interviews with some of the world’s top entrepreneurs.
Inc.com – Contains information about anything from start-ups to management.
Crush it! by Gary Vaynerchuk – Definitely a must read for anyone interested in building their personal brand.
All Business – Covers how-to advice, analysis, and commentary from experts in all areas of business.
How To Change the World – Guy Kawasaki speaks to entrepreneurs giving eager business owners advice from his own experience, along with much-needed reality checks.
Small Biz Survival - Becky McCray, self-described “small town entrepreneur,” digs into her own successes, failures, and small-town-entrepreneur experiences.
3. Find Mentors
There is no better way to learn than from someone who has lived it. Most people will be willing to help someone who is just starting out. They see it as a chance to save someone from making the same mistakes they did. Also, connect with entrepreneurs from many different fields and that can pick apart your business. You want them finding every hole possible. This will help you in the long run.
You don’t have to contact a particular entrepreneur to have them as a mentor. For instance…
- Try and learn everything you can about them online.
- Subscribe to their YouTube channel.
- Subscribe to their RSS feed for their blogs.
- Find and listen to every interview and speaking engagement they’ve ever done.
What do you read? Please share your thoughts, feedbacks and recommendations. I always appreciate it.
Thank you so much for reading!
Hi Susan,
Set time aside for learning. Stick to your decision. Learners become leaders quickly because few people continually learn and put their knowledge into action immediately. Power tips here.
Take frequent breaks. Recount work day lessons. Learning from your business while on the job is prospering, for you turn perceived errors or mistakes into profit-filled opportunities immediately.
Thanks Susan!
Ryan
Ryan Biddulph recently posted…Network Marketing Training – 6 Quick Tips for Generating Laser Targeted Leads with Less Effort Now
Hi Susan,
Outside of the things you mention, I also read things that are specific to my craft (software engineering books and blogs) and the industry I’m in (currently, I work for a company called Yodle, so I follow blogs on local marketing blogs).
One question I have for you: learning isn’t just reading, it usually has a doing component. Programmers often do throw-away practice projects to learn some new skill or technology. What’s the equivalent for entrepeneurs?
James Kingsbery recently posted…What to Document While Coding
James,
Thank you for your comment. You are so correct about doing not just reading. So what’s the equivalent of doing for entrepreneurs, here is what I do since I’m a doer. If I read or hear about something that resonates with me, I do it. I believe you have to take action and chances to see what works for you. It comes down to trial and error. You can’t be afraid to try or to fail. Otherwise you won’t succeed. That’s what I believe.
Enjoy your day,
Susan
Hi, just wanted to say, I enjoyed this blog post. It was practical. Keep on posting!