This blog is to all of the busy people out there that are entrenched in their day to day and think they have NO TIME left to continue to learn as they grow and age. Well, you are wrong. And I say this because I was one of those people for so long until I decided to join the masses and start listening to “Books on tape”. Yes, I know that the word tape is null and void at this point, but I’m an old lady so hang in there with me and allow me to use “old terms” now and again.
At work, the leadership team was challenged to read a book to begin a new process of leadership and management to allow the company I work for to go to the next level, leaving the plateau we have hit in the dust. Now, I love to read but reading for work and a business book at that, hard pass. I just don’t have the time. Nevertheless, it was a requirement so the time I would find.
I have many friends that listen to books on tape. As they exercise, walk the dog, etc. Now as a wife, grandma and mom, these times are usually accompanied with a spouse, kid or grandkid chatting it up about their day or the latest issue in their lives and I am not willing to give up these precious moments. Reading in my spare time, is an activity I love but to be honest, I like to hold the book, physically turn the pages and do this in my pajamas under a blanket with a cup of coffee. So how do I read this book and how does this relate to continuing education?
I subscribed to audible. It’s a program with amazon and of all of the programs I checked out, this is the best and most affordable and allows me to a few options. With my subscription (which is incredibly reasonably priced), I get monthly credits to download books. I can add books to my wish list and I can keep them in my library. Ok, this may all sound very “normal” to the younger generation out there, but this is what I really want to share..
I was picking my grandson up from school one day and my “Book on tape” was playing thru the blue tooth connection in the car. He says to me, “Grandma what are you listening to?” I smiled and said this is my homework. To which he replied, “You don’t have homework, you don’t even go to school!”
Immediately a bell goes off in my head! What a teaching moment for my little guy!.
“Sweetheart, grandma is listening to this book for work. I want to keep moving up in my job and keep going further. To do that, I have to keep learning and growing. This is a book teaching me about leadership so I can help the others in my company grow as well.”
“Is it boring?” He asks.
I laughed and said, “Well, boring is a mindset. I am listening to this and as I am, I am thinking about how it applies to what I do and how I interact with people. So, no not so boring. Now if I was in a mindset of cooking your dinner, then this may be very distracting. Much like you and your schoolwork. It is hard to do your schoolwork when your friends are over, or you are watching a tv show. But if you are focused on what the schoolwork is, then you may find it easier to understand and it may “stick” in your brain better. So, as I was driving to pick you up, I chose to listen to this recording. I just left work and that mindset was fresh.”
To my surprise, he asked if he could listen to it on the rest of our trip home. I obliged. And yes, he talked thru the whole thing.
My point here is that if you commute, if you take a lunch break, or even if you take shorter breaks during the day, these are all prime opportunities to grow and learn that do not take away from our busy life. You may even find it refreshing.
Below is a link to get you started and a few book titles I have found interesting. Enjoy and keep learning!
Books to check out:
- Traction: Get a Grip on your Business
- Good to Great
As always, have a happy day! ~Mrs. Go To Girl