Sharpen the Saw 3 - Lifelong Learning

With thanks to Stephen Covey for the concept of "Sharpen the Saw" per his 7th habit (of Highly Effective People), today we focus on staying mentally sharp. This is about a commitment to lifelong learning in order to stay relevant and grow both professionally and as a human being.

1. The first step is to make a commitment to learning. This includes awareness of what you want to learn. What do you need to be knowledgeable about? What skills do you need to learn?
2. The second step is to decide HOW. Are you a reader? If so, you will doubtless seeks books, articles and other written material about your chosen topic. If you are not a reader, what other alternatives are there? Will you look for video material? Will you find audiobooks? Will you go on a course of training?
3. The third step is to take action. Do the learning. Read the books and articles. Attend the training.
4. And the fourth and most crucial step is to apply what you have learned. Experiment. Play with it. See what works and doesn't work for you. Make modifications so that it becomes your own.

And when you have got yourself completely "inside" the topic or area of skill, decide what is next. In this way, you truly are a lifelong learner.