This is just a short post that I decided to put up real quick before I go to a meeting. This post derived from a conversation I had with a close friend and fellow entrepreneur. We were talking about how to grow our businesses and we got on the topic of continuing to educate ourselves, which reminded me of a statement my dad used to say to me years ago.
My dad always said that you could learn a whole lot about someone by looking at their bookshelf or library. The more I take notice of that statement he made to me over twenty-five years ago, the more I understand it. I think we are programmed in school to learn because that is what we have to do to graduate; but what happens when there are no external forces that require us to continue our education? What happens? Well if you are an entrepreneur, I suggest that you not just continue to learn, but that you actually budget for your education.
One of the easiest ways to continue to educate yourself is by reading business books and magazines that will help you stay abreast of the latest trends in the marketplace. What’s coming down the pipe in the next year or so? What can you do to capitalize on the new trends and innovations in your marketplace? I hear too many entrepreneurs say that they don’t have time to read, or they don’t like to read. To me that is akin to saying that you don’t want to succeed. If you continue to do business the same old way, I guarantee you that you will be out of business before you know it. Technology is advancing at light speed. Just look at all the innovations within the last twenty years; the internet, social media, smart phones, and software-as-a-service just to name a few. Where would we be without these tools? I personally spend thousands of dollars each year to educate myself and learn new skills to help me build my business. It’s not an expense, it’s an investment my business. I am a voracious reader, so reading is not an issue to me. I generally read at least two books at a time. Sometimes I even attend seminars and workshops that are not specifically in my field just to learn tactics and techniques that I may be able to apply to my business.
Education is one of the biggest keys to the growth and stability of your business. Never be too busy to learn. Please post a comment and let me know some good books that you would recommend.
