A few years ago, I took the Clifton Strengthsfinder assessment, and one of my Top 5 Themes was “Learner.” For those of you who are unfamiliar with this assessment, it is questionnaire included in the book “Now, Discover Your Strengths” by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clinton. This finding did not surprise me or anyone in my family because I have always been a curious person, an avid reader, and not afraid to try new things.
Only in exploring new ideas outside of your comfort zone are you truly able to find out what you are good at. People who are especially talented in the Learner theme have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve, the book explains. In particular, the process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites them.
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I was lucky in that I finished graduate school at the beginning of my professional career, because I think that it would be very difficult now that I am building our business. Several of my former colleagues have taken this hiatus in their careers to go back for their MBA’s and I applaud them! If they eventually start-up businesses of their own, they will have the skills necessary to make rational business decisions and hopefully avoid mistakes.
My point of this blog entry is that entrepreneurs can never rest on their laurels and stop learning, because growing the business requires a diverse set of skills that take a lifetime to learn. If you have the ability to learn a new skill and perform a critical business function yourself, you will save a great deal of money, lower costs and increase revenues. When you do decide to hire someone later to take over that role, you will be better informed on the skills needed to excel in that positions. So never stop learning!
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Hi Russ – Thanks for your comments and insight! I have learned a great deal from you, your Meetup "Tiny Business Might Profits", as well as from your website, in the short time that I have known you. You are an excellent teacher!
I read the book Now, Discover Your Strengths a few years ago. Very good stuff — it is amazing how powerful it is when you become aware of what you are good at — and perhaps more importantly what you are not good at. I try to continue my education every day — sort of like a long marathon of steps taken towards greater understanding of business and life. Thanks for the great post!