Reap the Rewards of Continuous Learning

Start with a Goal. Quality leaders, high achievers and successful people in all walks of life set goals around continuous personal and professional development. They look upon themselves as self-made people, and "works in progress." They are always striving towards greater heights of knowledge, understanding and personal growth.

According to Earl Nightingale, a leader in the field of Personal Development "People with goals succeed because they know where they're going." Nightingale attributes success to setting goals around continuous learning. He states one hour per day of study in your profession will put you at the top of your field within three years. Within five years you'll be a national authority. In seven years, you can be one of the best people in the world at what you do. That's pretty amazing!

How does all of this relate to financial success? You can be in the top 1% of income earners in our society, by reading only one book per month. You can become one of the best educated, smartest, most capable and highest paid people in your profession , if you read one book per week, 50 books per year. When developing financial goals be sure to include strategies and actions that involve reading in your profession. Regular reading transforms your life completely. It keeps your mind healthy and active. It stimulates your imagination and enhances your creativity.

What's the pay back? I tell my clients the pay back on investments in personal development is "priceless". If you set a goal today around investing 3% of your annual income back into your own personal and professional development, you will probably never have to worry about money again PLUS you will experience an increased sense of self confidence along with more passion and excitement about your life and career. As you can see one of the wisest investments we can make is in ourselves.

So how do you begin? For starters begin by setting powerful, inspiring, measurable goals around self development -personal and professional. Develop strategies or plans to reach your goals and then set action steps that will constantly keep you moving towards achieving your goal.

Here are some suggested strategies and action steps:

Strategy 1: Read all you can about your field.

Action: Subscribe to the executive book clubs; build your own library of important books in your field.

Strategy 2: Work with a Professional Development Expert such as an Executive Coach who can support you in setting goals that enable you to reach your potential and achieve success.

Action: Engage the services of a Coach.

Investing in personal and professional development through continuous learning and coaching are the wisest investments you can make.

¨ A recent Hay Group survey of 170 HR professionals revealed that more than 50% had set up a coaching program in the past 18 months and that coaching is growing at about 40% per year.

¨ A 2004 survey by The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development found that 80% of responding companies were using coaching in their companies.

¨ Harvard Business Review estimated that spending by corporations on executive coaching to be around $2 billion for 2006.

Schedule a FREE Coaching Session by contacting me at carolgcoach@aol.com.

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