Always A Student
Living in California, I have become accustomed to traffic and long commutes. An hour is normal. (I know, it’s crazy!) When I first arrived, I noticed driving to and from work robbed me of precious time. I felt like I was wasting my life away in the car. I tried to come up with various scenarios as to how I could best utilize my time. One of my co-workers suggested I consider going to the recently remodeled library down the street. What a great idea! His nugget of advice led me on an interesting journey.
I learned quickly, the library is not dead. Reading is not dead either. I know for sure you believe the latter statement because you are reading this blog. Here in LA, having a library card grants you access to a plethora of FREE resources. I am about to nerd out right now but I can’t hold it inside! I discovered this library card afforded me access to free online courses on topics from learning Spanish to how to invest in the stock market. I also discovered I had free admission to Hoopla. This is an online platform that houses audiobooks, e-books, movies, and music. Can we say winning!
After promptly walking into my local library and obtaining my ticket to knowledge, I quickly delved into the world of audiobooks. This was a game changer for me. During my commute, I began “reading.” I was very intentional about what I selected. I am passionate about the topic of Leadership so naturally, I was ecstatic when I saw numerous books available by John C. Maxwell. He is a trusted voice in the world of leadership and has decades of experience. I learned something new every time I pressed play and I could put into practice these lessons each day in my personal and professional life. I was growing! While listening to one of his books, he shared something his father told him: “Always have a book in your car so you can read at any given moment.” (This is a paraphrase but captures the heart of what he was expressing.) In essence, his father was telling him to never miss an opportunity to learn. There is something amazing that happens when you encounter new information or hear a different point of view. While you may not agree with everything expressed, you are forced to think critically. When in doubt, I always ask God for wisdom so I know what to “digest” and what to “spit out.”
I have also utilized adult school programs at my local high school to learn new skills. I once participated in a Public Speaking class. The teacher was remarkable and due to conflicting obligations, he could not host us for the entire semester. We were all saddened by the news because he added value to our lives and helped us become more confident with speaking in public. I also signed up for a singing class with a vocal coach. Each week, the class dwindled in size so I was able to get one on one coaching. It was so much fun!
So….what are you interested in? What do you want to be an expert in? What skills do you want to learn? What skills will help you be better at your craft?
I encourage you to intentionally invest in your own personal development. Do some research. What does your local library offer? Are there “must reads” in your field? Maybe your library does not offer these perks but there are so many resources available. I am sure google would love to help you out! I challenge you to do something today!
And before I go, I want to recommend a book I think EVERYONE should read. It is called “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” by Stephen Covey. Trust me, you will not regret it.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the gift of learning. Reveal to me if there is anything You want me to focus on learning about in this season in my life.
Bring to my attention any resources that are available to me.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Until Next Time,
Live Audaciously!!
Kay Naomi