Don't stop learning

Even though the graduation season is winding down, I really want to address the concept of life-long learning. I know it is one of those topics that make people groan. Yes, we are all busy. Yes, it is uncomfortable to admit that we don’t know everything. Yes, it is really important to continue to learn so we can achieve better business acumen.


When we first enter the workforce, there is freshness to our approach. There are challenges to be conquered and skills to be used! Years of school are behind us and now it’s time for action. Then we get settled into our careers. Various aspects of being in a business culture starts to wear down that freshness. Changes that we propose are met with “We have always done it this way” or “Why should we change what works.” Soon, we might even find ourselves saying those same horrible phrases to the next generation of professionals. The apathy sets in and the last thing we want to do is learn when in fact, it is exactly what we should be doing.

There is something to the adage “If you can’t beat them, join them.” New methodology or technology propels us forward as long as we are willing to make the effort to learn. Yet, so very often we don’t make that effort. Is it our pride that gets in our way? Or is it just that we are so busy we feel burdened by the effort. Whatever the case may be, the rationalization sets in.

It is really easy to rationalize why continual learning is unnecessary. Does this sound familiar? “I don’t need an MBA – I have years of business experience!” Except, there is so much outside of our little worlds that we can’t even imagine. In the MBA program that I was in, we studied organizational behavior topics, global issues and ethical case studies. I might have experienced these issues in my professional career, but I certainly didn’t understand them. The irony is that I would have been better prepared to handle some of those situations if I just had more information.

Finally, not all learning has to come from a degree. Pick up a book. Attend a seminar. Find a mentor. For that matter, become a mentor because learning goes both ways! Take the Dr. Oz approach and pass on what you learn to at least one person. It really is a key aspect of being a better businessperson.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”