Data and coding are buzzwords at the moment: skills people tell you you’re supposed to have without explaining how and why they would be useful. However, even if you have zero interest in coding chances are that knowing a bit more about data analysis will help you in your role. If nothing else, you may find it interesting.
About a year and a half ago I started learning how to code, inspired as I was after meeting some very skilled creative coders. The journey that followed has, so far, been equally exciting and challenging. Unsurprisingly, trying to learn something new and alien can be fiendishly difficult at times, especially when you’re also juggling a full-time job, a martial arts practice, and learning two human languages. Luckily there are some good books around to help you manage the long and winding road.
If you’re learning on your own, be it for work or for pleasure, it can be difficult to stay motivated. How often have you taken up a new hobby enthusiastically, only to lose interest after a few months? Sometimes this is perfectly fine: it you find your chosen activity is not for you there’s no harm in admitting this to yourself and moving on to something new. But what if you need to learn to get ahead in your career, or if you really want to learn a language, or if you just don’t want to give up?
People often tell me that they’d like to learn another language but don’t know where to start. Fair enough: I was lucky to grow up in a country with an education system good at introducing other languages from an early age (because no one speaks ours – ahem). But if your school days are behind you and you’d still like to learn, it’s never too late to start.
During a recent spell of bad weather I went into one of my reading frenzies. This time I focused on books about management and coaching, hoping to learn some tricks I could apply at work. While many management books are nothing but self-indulgent waffle, Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson is a pleasant exception to the rule. It has given me insights I have instantly been able to apply to my job and, dare I say it, have even made said job a little easier.
For many people, learning is what you do in school, and then perhaps at university or during an apprenticeship. But in fact learning often occurs outside structured learning programs. Think of the last time you started a new job, or bought a new appliance for your home, or took up a new hobby. Learning is an ongoing process most of us dip in and out of throughout our lives, often for work or practical reasons, but also for fun.
“I don’t like to speak in front of groups.”
How many people have said this to you? Perhaps you’ve muttered this to yourself as you shuffled into a conference room. Apart from the rare breed of people who could happily lecture all day long – many of them, in fact, do become lecturers – many people actively hate public speaking.
As requested, I’ve compiled some insights and advice on how to become a better #writer, especially when writing is not a core requirement of your role. It’s all about getting your message across to achieve your goals, sounding like the professional you are, and reading more Stephen King.
Some people have asked me why I put “aspiring project manager” in my byline. The reason is simple: while I’m not a project manager by job title, I do manage a lot of projects, and would like to develop further in this field. Planning, organising, stakeholder management, it was never what I wanted to be when I grew up, but it’s what I’ve found myself doing and what I enjoy.
As some of you may know, I worked at a university before I made the transition to training and adult education. I’m often asked if, and how, the two sectors are different. Yes, is my answer, they are very different and often interestingly so.
cococatani 