Learning to Work or Working to Learn?
Five Ways to Shift Your Mindset From Earnings to Learnings
"Shifting from chasing paychecks to pursuing knowledge is where true growth lies. Seize every opportunity to learn and the rewards will be exponential."
Imagine:
You’re feeling stalled at work. The days are starting to blur together and you find yourself questioning whether the grind is worth the paycheck.
Question:
When you start your day, is it with a mindset fixed on the tasks at hand, or with an anticipation of what you will learn today?
Answer:
Considering the choice between focusing on the day's tasks or the knowledge to be gained, it becomes clear that it's not the tasks themselves that shape us, but the learnings acquired through them.
Five Ways to Shift Your Mindset From Earnings to Learnings
1. Set Learning Goals Alongside Daily Tasks
I began by aligning my daily work tasks with specific learning objectives. For instance, while tackling a new project, I aimed not just to complete it but to acquire a new skill or deepen my understanding in a particular area. This approach has made my workdays far more enriching and ensure that I'm continuously evolving professionally, turning every task into an opportunity for growth.
2. Actively Seeking Feedback
I make it a habit to actively seek constructive feedback from my supervisors, peers, and clients. This feedback has been invaluable, offering me insights into my performance and exposing me to diverse perspectives. It has also helped me to identify new ways to handle situations and more effectively manage tasks.
3. Leveraging Diverse Learning Resources
The vast expanse of information now available at our fingertips offers an abundance of learning resources delivered by leading experts. By dedicating time each day to these materials, I stay abreast of industry trends and understand emerging technologies, all while cultivating a broader life perspective that enriches me to my very core, each and every day.
4. Participating in Cross-functional Projects
I volunteer for projects beyond my immediate area of expertise, which has diversified my skill-set and provided a deeper insight into how different parts of the organization work together. These experiences have been incredibly enlightening, fostering a holistic view of the business and enhancing my ability to contribute meaningfully across various areas. Don’t be afraid to raise your hand, regardless of whether or not you think you’re capable of completing the task. We learn the most in moments of uncertainty and discomfort. Embrace and actively engage in these moments!
5. Adopting a Reflective Practice
I end each day by reflecting on what I've learned. Taking the time to think through the day's events, I ponder questions like, "What did I learn today?" and "How can today’s lessons make me better tomorrow?" This practice has led me down many exploratory learning paths, exposing me to new content and subject matter experts which further expand my knowledge.
My POV:
Shifting from earning to learning has deeply transformed my personal and professional growth. I highly recommend you start by giving these 5 ways a try!
For me, the first step was giving myself permission to think bigger than my bosses. They had been given a project they had to deliver on, and I was part of that. But it was limiting because their goal was to deliver, not surpass. For me, it took years to figure it out, but eventually I allowed myself to go bigger, harder. A warning though, it can be challenging for your boss, so think about the signal your actions take, and have a plan in place to explain if challenged on it.