Two questions you must ask yourself before you even think of reading one more personal or professional development book

(4-minute read time)

We have a problem, so we seek a solution – a book, a class, a podcast, a webinar, a conference, a seminar, a coach.   We think “Aha!! Finally, a solution! I need that, it will fix this”. We work magic to be able to attend the event or read the book.  This act often requires magic because we’re already so busy that finding time to address the dilemma a dilemma in itself.  

A 2015 Gallup poll indicated 61% of working Americans say they don’t have enough time.  I would’ve imagined that number to be higher and maybe now in 2019 it is. Nonetheless, there’s often an urgent need for the solution because we simply do not have time for problems!  

So we find the thing we think will fix our issue and we consume it.  And then ya know what usually happens next? A whole lot of forgetting.  

50% of knowledge evaporates within the first hour of acquiring it.  Half. Gone in 60 minutes! 70% fades away within 24 hours and 90% within a week.  

Ya know that sense of confidence, motivation or inspiration you get from some learning experiences?  Like a moving Ted Talk or an inspirational book sometimes that just makes you feels good? That good feeling came from your THOUGHTS about applying what you learned.  

Unfortunately, actually applying new knowledge doesn’t always feel great.  It’s new, different. It often requires our focused effort and concentration. It takes time and energy that at least 61% of us say we don’t have.  So, our brains tell us to just keep doing things the way we already know how to, it’s too much effort the other way.  

Let’s say we decide to accept the fact that it will require effort.  We ‘re aware it’s going to feel clunky at first and we are willing to experience this.  Depending on who you ask, mastering a new skill takes anywhere from 20 – 10,000 hours. Well now, that’s quite a range, isn’t it?  Let’s go with the low end, 20 hours. The problem is not the effort it takes to apply the new skill.  The problem is once we learn something, that same magic that was required to find the time and energy to consume the knowledge is required of us again.  Now we have to pull another rabbit out of a hat to find at least 20 hours of application (nevermind thousands of hours). Most of us just don’t do it. And as a result, we learn but the knowledge often just disappears.        

“I want to spend lots of time learning and never do anything with what I learned” – said no one ever.  But we do it all the time.  

Here are two key questions to ask yourself beforehand to help ensure the investments you make in your personal and professional development stick.  And, they ARE investments – of time, energy, money.

Why am I consuming this?  

A lot of times we avoid the real work necessary to solve our problem because we think we don’t know enough (which is often not true).  Consuming information feels like action but it isn’t – it’s passive. It’s just preparation for the action that actually produces the desired result.  You can read more about massive and passive action here.  Getting clear on your reasons for consuming knowledge and liking those reasons will go a long way in helping you apply what you’ve learned.  

What will I commit to doing with this investment? 

Knowledge isn’t power.  It’s the application of knowledge that is powerful.  Before learning whatever it is you’re learning about, consider what you will do with it.  We often have fantasies of what we will do with it but get really honest with yourself here.  Commit to learning with application in mind.   Then commit to application.

Some of you are over-consuming personal and professional development stuff.  I get it. I’m with ya, I love this stuff too. In fact, one of my favorite things about my work is that it almost requires me to stay attuned to these things. At the same time, unapplied knowledge doesn’t just cost time, energy, and money – it suffocates progress.  Don’t let that thing you meant to be a solution to your problem become a barrier to the solution.   

Managing our time, energy, and sometimes money, so we can develop personally and professionally can be an undertaking in itself!  I can definitely help, just click here to schedule a free, 30-minute discovery session.