A Roadmap for Continuous Learning
From the Voices on Project Management Blog
by Cameron McGaughy,
Lynda Bourne, Kevin Korterud, Peter Tarhanidis, Conrado Morlan, Jen Skrabak, Mario Trentim, Christian Bisson, Yasmina Khelifi, Sree Rao, Soma Bhattacharya, Emily Luijbregts, David Wakeman, Ramiro Rodrigues, Wanda Curlee, Lenka Pincot, cyndee miller, Jorge Martin Valdes Garciatorres, Marat Oyvetsky
Voices on Project Management offers insights, tips, advice and personal stories from project managers in different regions and industries. The goal is to get you thinking, and spark a discussion. So, if you read something that you agree with--or even disagree with--leave a comment.
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By Yasmina Khelifi, PMI-ACP, PMI-PBA, PMP
The ability to maintain a learning mindset is a top hiring quality that can potentially be more important than experience. Despite that, no one explicitly explained to me how to do it. I’m curious and ask many questions, which has helped me gain new insights.
However, given the pace of change in the world, this is not enough. Based on my experiences, I’d like to share a three-step roadmap to make the motto “learn continuously” a reality.
1. List your obstacles
First of all, you have to acknowledge it is not so easy. You are bombarded with information from social media, with successes from former colleagues or university friends. We may be tempted to follow all the paths and then abruptly stop in the middle. You may also have work-mandatory training.
At the same time, you want to prepare yourself for the next role and take other training courses. How can you squeeze in learning now and tomorrow in between all your work and your personal life?
This is where you need to reframe your mindset.
2. Change your mindset
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Stop repeating, “I have to do A and B,” “ I don’t learn so much” or “ I’m lazy.”
Learning doesn’t only take place in formal classes—something I’ve only recently understood. Being aware of this will help you be more satisfied with the learning you pick up along the way.
Also accept that it’s okay to be less ambitious; it is better to learn a little daily rather than not at all.
Force yourself to learn things in completely different fields. For example, talk with a video expert if you work in compliance, or have lunch with a marketing colleague if you work in technical fields.
Last but not least, be open to changes along the way. You might need to learn a new tool or technology you were unaware of at work. Or you might become overwhelmed by work or personal issues that stop your plan—and that’s okay. If you accept these changes, you will not feel frustrated.
3. Sharpen your approach
Define clear objectives for what you want to learn (hard skills or power skills), and for when (short term, mid term, or long term). It will help you prioritize them.
Then you have to map how you would like to learn these skills—taking a training course, preparing for a certification, etc.
Engaging in communities within your industry to keep abreast of the latest trends and having conversations with experts is also important. You can also watch a webinar, listen to a podcast, or read a blog or a book.
The key is to not insist on doing all the different things at the same time.
Learning continuously is a lifelong project to develop yourself professionally and—more importantly—as a human being.
How do you learn continuously? Share your feedback below.
Posted
by
Yasmina Khelifi
on: April 23, 2024 01:04 AM |
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Comments (10)
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Rami Kaibni
Community Champion
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates
New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Yasmina, I personally take an agile approach to continuous learning and actually published an article about this in 2020 in the PM World Journal:
https://pmworldjournal.com/article/the-added-value-of-professional-development
Kwiyuh Michael Wepngong
Community Champion
Financial Management Specialist | US Peace Corps / Cameroon
Yaounde, Centre, Cameroon
Thank you, Yasmina...
I just changed jobs and have been on this! I actually heightened it because I always strive to be current
Maria Hrabikova
Community Champion
Engagement Manager | Plex, by Rockwell Automation
Ricany U Prahy, Prague, Czechia
Yasmina, thank you for the insightful article. I am actively cultivating a habit of continuous learning by regularly dedicating time to reading and thoughtful reflection.
Thank you for sharing your insights!
Ming Yeung
Compliance Manager (and Acting CCO and COO)| Blockchain Venture Capital Inc.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Hello Yasmina, I fully concur with your perspectives as a fervent believer and avid practitioner of lifelong learning and continuous improvement. Let's connect and share lessons learnt and —more importantly—upcoming learning roadmaps.
Thank you for sharing your insights!
Reshma Rizvi
Scientific Project Manager| University Of Saskatchewn
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Very Insightful--continous learning is the key for the success of PMs and their projects and yes-learning different things at the same time will also not effective. Thank you Yasmina!
You’ve provided some great insights here! Thank you
wael ahmed
project manager| Red Sea Consultant
asyut, AST, Egypt
Thank you for your kind words
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