When you were in elementary school, you understood you would continue in that educational format until you were 18. You may have assumed you would go on to college or a trade school. You may or may not have planned for advanced degrees.
But now that you’re an adult, knee-deep in your career, how are you doing on your continuing education?
When people bring up continuing education, they’re typically talking about formal avenues, like working towards additional degrees, taking seminars, completing courses, and the like.
But continuing education can also be something you take into your own hands. You can continue your own education by seeking out information relevant to your career, interests, or personal life.
Whatever continuing education looks like for you, here are 4 reasons why you should never stop.
1. Things Change
No matter your field — from sales to nursing to teaching — things change.
Regularly.
If you don’t keep up with the changes, you may find yourself left in the dust.
If you’re in sales, continuing education may mean that you constantly challenge yourself to learn from the experts, like Wes Schaeffer, also known as The Sales Whisperer. When you are humble enough to know that others know things you don’t know — or that they understand things in a different way — you can become better at your profession.
If you’re in nursing or teaching, you may need to keep up on certifications, technology advancements, local and federal laws, and more.
2. Move up in the World
When it comes time for a promotion, you definitely want to be noticed. And when your employers have seen that you are willing to invest in your education, they’ll understand you are driven and motivated. Not only that, you can bring new ideas to the company.
And that makes you a valuable asset; someone to consider strongly for promotion.
Plus, some companies require advanced degrees or certifications before promotions are possible. Keep yourself marketable by continuing your education.
If you are self-employed, continuing education will also help you move up in the world. Learning from successful entrepreneurs can keep you ahead of the game.
Tony Robbins, life and business strategist, says, “Running a successful company isn’t just about keeping up with the competition. You need to stay ahead of them – and that means nurturing a culture of innovation.”
The more you learn, and the more you learn how to use your knowledge successfully, the better off you will be.
3. Make Career Transitions More Easily
Unfortunately, many of us don’t know what we truly want to do when we emerge from high school or college, wide-eyed and ready to take on the world.
As we move through our careers and life, we learn an awful lot about ourselves. And sometimes that leads to the desire to make a career transition.
Making a career change will always require additional education, whether that comes in the form of certifications, degrees, or knowledge you seek out yourself.
4. Enrich Your Life
As you know, life isn’t only about your career. You have other interests, relationships, hobbies, challenges, and responsibilities.
Every facet of your life could be enriched by learning more about it. If you’re a parent, you can continue your education by taking a parenting seminar offered through your local school district. Not only will you learn something new, you’ll improve your relationship with your child as you apply new skills.
If you love painting, piano, or pottery, you can take lessons to advance your skills.
If you struggle with a health challenge, you can research treatments, news, and coping techniques to help you live your best life.
Continuing education isn’t just for your career. It’s for your whole life.
Get Started
Get started today. Start with something simple, like DarrenDaily, a daily mentoring email designed to kick start your day with a big idea.
Or your could:
- Read a self-improvement book related to an area of life where you’re struggling.
- Read a sales book to learn new techniques.
- Ask your employer for seminars or certifications you can participate in.
- Look at your local college for classes that could help you advance your career.
- Determine if you need an advanced degree to get a promotion, and begin the application process.
- Attend a retreat put on by an expert in your field.
- Find a mentor.
Remember that you can always advance. You can always learn more. You can always progress to better than where you were yesterday.
You just have to start.