As you begin the new year, if you don’t already have time set aside each week for self-development, plan it. Don’t just “make time,” but actually set up the block on your calendar of choice. The reality of today’s workplace is that training is almost always the first budget item cut, then even if it’s not cut that the workplace is not likely to give you the time you need to keep up with the pace of technological change, and if you don’t keep up, your career security is negatively impacted. In short, don’t depend on your organization to protect that career security. Even the best companies can encounter unexpected and devastating events and lay-offs will inevitably happen.
What should you learn? Think about what you’re doing in your current job. Consider what you want to do in your next job. Also list areas where you are struggling. That should give you the data you need to build your own development plan. Keep in mind that even if this is something your organization has you do, in most cases it is focused on what’s best for the organization. That’s not necessarily what you want long term. So develop your own plan.
Find the training or development you need. I’m going to be plugging libraries a lot this year, because they are an invaluable resource that most folks overlook. Even if your library doesn’t have a particular resource that you want, many libraries are able to reach out to other libraries within a larger network to obtain said resource for a modest fee, often a lot less than you’d pay for retail. Check with your local library about what those options are.
And, of course, there is plenty of content online. Here are some of the ones I use myself:
- LinkedIn Learning (comes with LinkedIn Premium)
- O’Reilly
- Pluralsight
Remember my plugging of libraries? Sometimes they offer access to these paid services. For instance, my local library used to offer access to O’Reilly but now offers access to LinkedIn Learning. Libraries tend to offer a variety of services beyond book check-out.
And I have not covered the plethora of free training resources out there. Microsoft puts a lot of content on YouTube, for instance. There are a significant number of leadership and other soft skill content on there as well.
Don’t rely on someone else to help you grow and develop. Take charge of it yourself. Plan that time. Don’t let anything short of an emergency interrupt or take the place of that time. You owe it to yourself and your career security. On, one more point: self-development doesn’t have to just be job related. Want to learn how to paint, sew, crochet, make cabinets, or work on your own car? Those count, too.