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I am just catching up on some of the casts I missed when I switched over from being a casual MTer to a registered user. There was some mention of recommendations of how to get your learning/reading in.

Normally, we get a 32 step (or so) how-to outline. Perhaps the recommendations were just subtle inserts in this cast.

Anyone care to share how they are scheduling their learning? I know if I am on the highway or subway, I have the iPod running.

*RNTT

WillDuke's picture
Training Badge

I also use the heck out of my iPod for listening to podcasts. I like to listen while mowing the lawn or trimming bushes. I also listen in the shower, though sometimes it can be hard to hear. The bus is awesome for iPod time.

I read at night before going to bed. I find this helps me wind down at the end of my day.

I never let anything get in the way of time I spend with my daughter. That time is precious to me, and I'm not going to waste a second of it. So when I get home from work my time is sacred for a couple of hours. Same thing goes with weekend time.

I'd say the number 1 trick to finding to read is this:

TURN OFF THE TV!

The number 2 trick is to apply what you learn. I post in the forums so I can practice and apply what I think I've learned. I think that's key.

madamos's picture
Licensee Badge

My company has a policy for yearly training hours, and each group has their own goals. This policy allows me to schedule time in my calendar for Management Development (that is what I call the slot on my calendar). I have it scheduled for 90 minutes 1x per week. During this time I either read a book, listen to a MT podcast (and take notes) or read/listen to other material. As long as this activity is related to my job, I can count the time as training hours.

My boss loves the fact I have this time scheduled. How does he know what I have in my calendar and what I do during this time? Well, my boss asked me recently how it was I had such great input on a recent issue affecting the entire team and our industry. That's when I told him that I spend this time every week. He was quite impressed that I would think to schedule time for this type of work (and yes, it is work).

I would have never thought to do this if Mark and Mike hadn't made it clear how important reading is to my career.

MadAmos

TomW's picture
Training Badge

[quote="madamos"]My company has a policy for yearly training hours, and each group has their own goals. This policy allows me to schedule time in my calendar for Management Development (that is what I call the slot on my calendar). I have it scheduled for 90 minutes 1x per week. During this time I either read a book, listen to a MT podcast (and take notes) or read/listen to other material. As long as this activity is related to my job, I can count the time as training hours.

My boss loves the fact I have this time scheduled. How does he know what I have in my calendar and what I do during this time? Well, my boss asked me recently how it was I had such great input on a recent issue affecting the entire team and our industry. That's when I told him that I spend this time every week. He was quite impressed that I would think to schedule time for this type of work (and yes, it is work).

I would have never thought to do this if Mark and Mike hadn't made it clear how important reading is to my career.

MadAmos[/quote]

At my company I'd never get away with that. Generally, it's only those who read, study, listen to podcasts, etc. on their own time that make it to management. The company will pay for books, memberships, reference material, etc., but not the time to read them.

The only exception is that once you make it to the higher echelons, they make one of the perks "professional development" time, that can be used to attend formal seminars (not reading)

Mark's picture
Admin Role Badge

While I don't doubt Tom, I still do think there are a lot of managers who might say that same thing and never actually TRY to do some professional development this way.

One can always go to lunch alone and sit and read quietly.

Mark

(My worst professional development fear is being somewhere without a book, particularly eating dinner alone on the road.)

rwwh's picture
Licensee BadgeTraining Badge

[quote](My worst professional development fear is being somewhere without a book, particularly eating dinner alone on the road.)[/quote]
There is a book that is called "never eat alone". I didn't read it yet....

asteriskrntt1's picture

I guess I totally missed the turn off the TV clue because I don't watch TV anyhow. I guess if you get your 15 minutes to an hour in a day, it doesn't really matter how/when you do it, as long as you get around to doing it.

*RNTT

terrih's picture

Re: keeping up with local news... at least in the US

I have found that it helps if you can find a local news/talk station (usually an AM station) that has a morning show. Odds are it'll be the station that carries Rush Limbaugh later in the day... but the morning show should have local news anchors.

I had this in the last city I lived in and I have it here too. They have a nice mix of local & national news. In Wichita, they always had a segment with the editor of the Wichita Business Journal. (If they have something similar here in Rockford, I have yet to catch it.)

I've found it an easy way to keep up while getting ready & eating breakfast in the mornings, and also on the morning commute. (I know, I know... but once you've gone through one cycle of news and it starts to repeat, you can switch to your iPod :lol: )

Mark's picture
Admin Role Badge

Rob-

I've read it and reviewed it...but after 10 hours with clients, I turn down dinner invitations.

A guy's gotta think!

Glad you're in our community.

Mark

asteriskrntt1's picture

Will,

How can you listen to your ipod while mowing the lawn or trimming bushes? Are you using electric or manual tools? I could not hear my iPod at all while I am cutting the grass.

In fact, when I am working again, I am going to look for some noise cancelling headphones because often the podcasts or lectures I get are recorded so primatively, the sound of the bus/subway drowns them out.

*RNTT

davefleet's picture

*,

Noise-reducing headphones are a great investment - I just got a pair myself. Well worth it for the noisy Toronto public transit. Not so great for running though - think I'll stick with my old headphones for that.

Dave

Mark's picture
Admin Role Badge

Terri-

I just had a GREAT idea! Someone - SOMEONE - ought to be doing a business news podcast, daily, which includes other news that might affect one's career. A compendium, if you will.

You could even do it once a week, like the Times Sunday Week in Review section.

I'd listen... 5 minutes, have the news read to me.

The key would be the bias and smarts of the news reader (person).

Mark

terrih's picture

That IS a good idea.

Maybe someone's already doing it - ?

WillDuke's picture
Training Badge

RNTT - Noise cancelling headphones from Shure. They cost me $100, but I love them. I got the buds rather than the ear covers. They're just easier to haul around. Plus, the buds act like earplugs so the mower doesn't further damage my hearing. (I'm no ear doctor though.)

I suspect the over-the ears would be more comfortable. Those Bose sure look nice, though I hear they're overpriced.

terrih's picture

[quote]I just had a GREAT idea! Someone - SOMEONE - ought to be doing a business news podcast, daily, which includes other news that might affect one's career. A compendium, if you will. [/quote]

The closest thing I found through iTunes is the Nightly Business Report podcast from PBS. [url]http://www.pbs.org/nbr/site/rss/NBR_Feeds/[/url]

Has more Wall Street & stock market news than I really care for, but it's better than a sharp stick in the eye.

ianwinn's picture

Hi everybody, my first post! I always listen to the Podcasts at the gym. 30 minutes doing cardio and 30 minutes on the weights (it takes my mind off the pain!).

Just waiting for the iPod kit for my new Merc so I can also listen whilst driving...

skwanch's picture

[quote](My worst professional development fear is being somewhere without a book, particularly eating dinner alone on the road.)[/quote]

and here I thought I was the only one who suffers from lack-of-book-a-phobia . . .

Mark's picture
Admin Role Badge

To the point of carrying WAAAY too many books on every trip. I took 3 to the conference, and opened nary a one.

Mark

stephenbooth_uk's picture

[quote="skwanch"][quote](My worst professional development fear is being somewhere without a book, particularly eating dinner alone on the road.)[/quote]

and here I thought I was the only one who suffers from lack-of-book-a-phobia . . .[/quote]

I always carry at least two books with me, usually a newspaper as well. Right now it's "Essential Drucker: The Effective Executive" and "Getting Things Done" plus "Metro" (a free newspaper you can pickup on the bus or at train stations). I also have an MP3 player full of MT casts, I'm up to part 2 of the "Basics of Mentoring" cast.

Stephen

terrih's picture

Never mind about the Nightly Business Report. I'm done with it. :P Too many interviews that go like this:

Reporter: The sky is falling, isn't it?
Interviewee: No, that's only a few clouds.
Reporter: But what about these acorns all over the ground? Doesn't that mean the sky is falling?
Interviewee: It's just an acorn correction, and in fact some of these acorns will grow into oak trees.
Reporter: And how will the falling of the sky affect your market share?

:roll: