Time is on your side…while this is a good Rolling Stones tune, it may also be true that, due to the restrictions we are living with, you have some extra time to invest in yourself. Here are some ideas on how to get the most out of the time you invest.
Training provides a foundation, but is just the start
How many times have you attended training and forgotten most of it within days? Speaking for myself, if I do not put training into use right away and get some coaching on a weekly basis on how best to use the training, it vanishes.
I took Dale Carnegie training in the late 1980s. The reason it stuck with me and was so powerful for my career was that my manager required updates every week on what I learned and how I was going to apply it that week. He provided some great coaching as I went thru the training. The weekly discussions and coaching helped build my confidence and, more importantly, helped me drive a ton more business.
Get coaching for you – one way or another
If you are investing time (and maybe money) into training, find out how you can get regular coaching so you can leverage your investment. Some organizations assign mentors and others are “too busy” leaving you to find it yourself. If this is the case…no problem, be resourceful and find coach(es) inside or outside your organization. More people should be available while we all work from home.
Aligning the coaching with your goals
Once you have arranged coaching, work with your manager, co-workers to identify where you want to improve. Keys to ensuring the coaching aligns to your goals:
- Make a list of areas you want to work on
- Take one at a time
- Block time off on a recurring basis (e.g. weekly, bi-weekly) to focus on one area/skill with your coach
- Establish goals for coaching (e.g. increase confidence to lead presentation on a topic)
What you get out of training/coaching comes from your motivation
Scott Asadorian, Lecturer and Consultant for the University of Rhode Island’s College of Business, tells his students…“During an interview, while it is ok to ask about training, do not harp on it. If you ask too many questions about training, it may make the interviewer concerned about a potential lack of initiative from you”. Scott makes a great point about initiative and motivation. Potential and current employers are surely looking for the drive to improve to come from you. If you take this approach your confidence will soar and so will your sales results!
Feel free to contact me directly for ideas and/or help on this or other topics!
Sign up as a subscriber for exclusive weekly emails with additional ideas!