Tag Continuous Learning

Curious Success

Steve Keating 6 Comments

I’ve heard it said, often, that curiosity killed the cat. I’m not a cat person so I can’t speak to how accurate that may or may not be. But I can tell you one thing that curiosity does for sure…it creates success.

I went to college to earn a degree in Electrical Engineering. I wanted to invent cool stuff. My high school guidance counselor agreed I was a great fit for that kind of career. We were both wrong. I got my degree and had job offers even before I graduated. I went to work designing currency validation systems. If you’ve ever put a dollar bill in a vending machine you’ve used some of my early work.

But I wasn’t very good at designing new stuff. I was however better than almost anyone at fixing new stuff other people designed. I knew almost instinctively where their design had gone wrong because I knew exactly how electronic components were supposed to work together.

But I just wasn’t curious enough to experiment with new uses for technology. I also wasn’t interested in cleaning up somebody else’s mess so I pretty quickly left my engineering days behind.

After a few career twists and turns I discovered that while I wasn’t curious about circuitry I was very curious about people. That led me to what I’ve now been doing for years and years, “creating” more successful people.

I take as much pride in helping other people succeed as I’ve ever taken in my own success. And I’m still as curious about people today as I’ve ever been. That’s why I can say without a doubt that curiosity creates success.

Being more curious is a valuable trait that can lead to personal growth, learning, and creativity. Curiosity is actually a skill that you can develop. If you’re interested in being more curious here are some strategies to cultivate and enhance your curiosity.

• Stay open-minded. Approach situations with a willingness to explore and learn. Avoid preconceived notions and judgments, as they can limit your curiosity. Every person on the planet knows something that you don’t know. That means you can learn from anyone…if you keep an open mind.

• Ask questions. Develop a habit of asking questions about the world around you. Wonder why things are the way they are, how they work, or what might happen if they were different. By the way, once you ask the question, listen, truly listen, to the answer.

• Seek new experiences. Step out of your comfort zone and expose yourself to new environments, people, and ideas. Traveling, trying new hobbies, or attending events outside of your usual routine can spark curiosity.

• Embrace uncertainty. Instead of feeling uncomfortable with the unknown, view it as an opportunity for discovery. Curiosity thrives in situations where there are gaps in knowledge.

• Engage in active listening. Pay attention to what others say and genuinely try to understand their perspectives. This can lead to intriguing conversations and new insights. Remember, you can learn from anyone.

• Read widely. Explore books, articles, and other forms of literature on a variety of topics. Exposing yourself to diverse ideas and viewpoints can stimulate curiosity and broaden your understanding of the world. Reading is one of the most productive activities you can do. So set time aside, frequently, to read a bunch of stuff.

• Stay curious about yourself. Reflect on your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Ask yourself why you think or feel a certain way and be open to discovering new aspects of your identity.

• Like every idea for 10 minutes. Less curious people tend to dismiss new ideas too quickly. Train yourself to like every new idea or concept you hear for 10 minutes before dismissing it or trying to tear it to pieces. Those 10 minutes could completely change your thinking, and your life.

• Connect with others. Engage in discussions with people who have different backgrounds, interests, and expertise than your own. Their perspectives can inspire new lines of inquiry and fuel your curiosity. Remember, even if their ideas seem a little weird to you, you’re gonna like them for at least 10 minutes.

• Experiment and play. Approach life with a sense of playfulness and experimentation. Try out new ideas, tinker with solutions, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way. Curiosity is fun and fun is good.

By incorporating these strategies into your daily life, you can nurture and strengthen your curiosity. That will lead to greater success in all areas of your life.

For a lot of people being curious seems a bit risky. But I still would say, unless you’re a cat, there are a ton of benefits to being curious and it’s way better than just living in the world you already know.

I’m curious to know if you agree.

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How to Gain Experience

Steve Keating 2 Comments

The fastest way to gain experience is to live. By my estimation it will take approximately 3 years to gain approximately 3 years of experience. You can make the process shorter by using someone else’s experience, not your own. But really, nothing beats your personal experience when it comes to making decisions and taking action.

Years ago I wanted to develop a sales course focused on cold calling. I read a lot about it and that got me a fair understanding of the process involved. But as a speaker, relating someone else’s experience can’t hold a candle to sharing your own personal experiences. So I took a part time sales job in an industry where the sales people had to be fierce cold callers. I got beat up, I got beat down, but I learned. I learned first hand what worked and what didn’t. The experiences I was able to talk about while teaching that class were my own and it gave me a ton of credibility.

Experience will do the same for you.

The fact is, gaining experience is crucial for personal and professional growth. You can learn new skills, gain knowledge, and boost your confidence in different areas of life. To gain experience, there really are no shortcuts. However, there is a process to follow so that gaining 3 years of experience doesn’t take longer than 3 years and may take less.

So here it is:

• Determine what areas you want to gain experience in. Whether it’s related to your career, hobbies, personal development, or other interests, having clear goals is essential.

• Start by researching the field or subject you want to gain experience in. Read books, articles, watch videos, and take online courses to build a foundational understanding.

• Connect with people who are experienced in your chosen field. Attend conferences, workshops, and seminars to meet professionals and experts. Networking can provide opportunities for mentorship and collaboration.

• Volunteering is an excellent way to gain experience while giving back to your community or a cause you care about. Nonprofit organizations, charities, and local community groups often need volunteers for various roles.

• Look for internships or apprenticeship programs related to your field of interest. These opportunities provide hands-on experience and may lead to full-time positions.

• Consider part-time jobs or entry-level positions in your chosen field. These positions may not pay as well initially, but they can provide valuable on-the-job experience. That experience could one day prove priceless.

• If applicable, offer your services as a freelancer or consultant in your area of expertise. Freelancing allows you to gain experience, build a portfolio, and potentially earn income.

• Start personal projects or side ventures related to your interests or career goals. These projects allow you to apply your knowledge and skills in a practical way.

• Be open to feedback from mentors, colleagues, or supervisors. Constructive criticism can help you improve and grow in your chosen field.

• Stay updated with the latest trends, technologies, and developments in your field. Continuous learning ensures that your experience remains relevant.

• Keep a record of your experiences, achievements, and skills gained. This can be useful when updating your resume or portfolio.

• Periodically reflect on your experiences and assess how they align with your goals. Adjust your approach if needed to ensure you’re gaining the right kind of experience.

• Gaining experience takes time, and you may encounter setbacks along the way. Stay patient, persistent, and committed to your goals.

• Don’t be discouraged by failures or setbacks. Mistakes are part of the learning process. Use them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

• Once you have more experience, you can share what you know by teaching, writing, or mentoring. This can further deepen your understanding and expertise.

• Gaining experience is an ongoing process. You, no matter how hard you try, you cannot create experience, you must undergo it. It’s important to stay motivated, adaptable, and open to new opportunities as you work toward your goals. As you gain experience, you will become more successful in your chosen field.

And here is one of the most interesting things about experience. One day you’ll look around and determine that you may be the most experienced person in the room. That may lead you to believe that at last you have enough experience. But if the experience you’ve acquired over the years is the right experience, that belief won’t last long. You’ll quickly realize that there is no such thing as “enough” experience.

So keep living, life is teaching everyday and if you’re paying attention you’ll never stop gaining valuable experience.

How to Build a Culture of Continuous Learning 

Steve Keating 2 Comments

The most successful people learn something new almost everyday. So do the most successful organizations. Building a culture of continuous learning within an organization is crucial. It is the bedrock or organizational growth. It is the engine of innovation and adaptability. 

Here are some of the most important steps to take if you’re trying to establish such a culture of continuous learning in your organization.

  1. Begin by securing commitment from senior leadership to prioritize and promote continuous learning. Let me be perfectly clear on this. If you’re a Training and Education Leader without total commitment from your senior leadership then you didn’t have, don’t have, and will never have a culture of continuous learning. When leaders emphasize the importance of learning, it sets the tone for the entire organization.
  1. Clearly communicate the value and benefits of continuous learning to everyone. Help them understand that learning is not just about personal growth. It is also about improving performance.  It is about enhancing job satisfaction. It is about staying competitive in a rapidly evolving world.
  1. Encourage your people to set individual learning goals.  The goals should align with their professional development and organizational objectives. These goals can be tied to specific skills, knowledge areas, or competencies. They should be relevant to their roles, or perhaps to roles they one day hope to fill.
  1. Ensure that all team members have access to a variety of learning resources. This could include internal training programs, workshops, online courses, mentoring, or coaching. Consider offering a diverse range of options to cater to different learning styles and preferences.
  1. Encourage your people to allocate regular time for learning within their work schedules. This could be in the form of dedicated “learning hours” or flexible work arrangements. These should allow individuals to pursue learning initiatives without hindering their productivity.
  1. Create an environment that encourages curiosity, experimentation, and knowledge sharing. Encourage people to ask questions, seek feedback, and share their learnings with others. Recognize and reward those who actively engage in learning activities.
  1. Promote a culture where mistakes and failures are seen as learning opportunities rather than sources of blame or punishment. Encourage people to take risks, learn from their experiences, and share their insights with others.
  1. Provide regular feedback to team members on their learning progress. Offer consistent guidance on areas where improvement is needed. Encourage managers and team members to have open conversations about learning and development.
  1. Encourage collaboration and cross-functional learning by organizing group projects and team-based learning activities. Create an environment where employees can learn from one another and leverage their collective expertise.
  1. Seniors leaders want to know if the education programs are working. Establish metrics and evaluation methods to track the impact of continuous learning initiatives. Assess the effectiveness of training programs. Gather feedback from participants, and use data to refine and improve learning opportunities.

Organizations that learn more also tend to earn more. The same can be said for people. Earn comes before learn in the dictionary but in life it’s the opposite. Ya gotta learn before you can earn. 

Building a culture of continuous learning is an ongoing process. It requires consistent effort, reinforcement, and adaptability to changing needs. By encouraging a learning mindset throughout the organization, you can create an environment that encourages growth, innovation, and continuous improvement.


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