Not having enough time is an oft repeated excuse whenever we have the urge to learn something new. But in the busy work-a-day lives, it can get impossible to find sufficient time. With the schedule of meetings, projects, deadlines, it can get really difficult to find time to learn something new.
But some strategies can help to make time even in a busy day. Waking up early or sleeping late by 20-30 minutes, finding time to read during commute, or scheduling some dedicated time during weekends, are some ways in which you can manage time more efficiently, and steal a few minutes to learn something.
Image Credit: The Big Bang Theory
Here are some easy ways to continue learning and use your time more efficiently even in a busy schedule.
YouTube It
All of us wind up on YouTube sometime or the other. Now, instead of cute puppy videos or bloopers, use YouTube to learn something new about your work. Many experts make vlogs or videos on different subject, whether it is fashion, technology or coding. There is something for everyone on YouTube. For example, there are entire channels dedicated to Excel, Photoshop and other programs that can give you a leverage at work.
Use Audiobooks
Make your commute time worthy by loading podcasts and audiobooks, they also make it easy to digest new material. From technology to foreign policy, many subjects are covered in audiobooks. You can find many interesting reads in audio format at Audible or audiobooks.com.
Mentors Know The Best
Consider yourself very lucky if you find a good mentor. A work mentor that you can turn to on the fly for advice and guidance is an invaluable way to keep growing in your personal and professional life, without carving out too much conventional ‘learning’ time. Mentors can transfer valuable knowledge accumulated through experience.
Anand Krishna, CEO of Purple Productions, says that he tries to learn something from everybody he meets. “I am passionate about learning. I try to learn from each and every person I meet. In my busy schedule, I keep talking to every person in my shooting unit. I have learnt a lot from their life experiences.” So, apart from a mentor, like Anand, you can learn something from the people around you.
Use Your Weekend Well
After a busy week, it does seem tempting to spend the weekend without adulting. But you can actually save good TED Talks, books and other material for the weekend, and spend some time on going through them. Learning does not require you to go back to lectures, you can learn on the move, if you are really up for it.
These approaches will help you learn something new and upgrade your skills, even when you have a super busy schedule.
Read Also: What To Do When You Feel You Are No Longer Learning At Work
