This is a random collection of thoughts on personal development, both in and out of the workplace.
Developing your skillset
Jeff Hunter has a very nice post on the relevance of certification called Does Certification Matter Anymore? The comments section includes some of my own thoughts.
On a more general note we all have to make choices about whether to try and progress our skillsets or stick with what we have. I’m reading and learning constantly, but now and then I start “the next big push” and for a moment I’m filled with dread. The more I learn the more I understand the process of learning and the more I realise there are no short cuts. The only way to understand something is to chip away at it until it all makes sense.
Putting yourself on the line
The first time I posted on a forum I was terrified. I watched the thread for ages waiting to see if someone trashed my answer, which they did. My choices were to (a) stop posting or (b) get myself up to speed and try again. I picked (b).
The same thing happened again when I started to write articles for my website. I hate to think what rubbish is still lurking on my site, but at the time I wrote it I believed it to be true…
Even after all these years it’s still happening to me. I’ve just sent out a batch of books all over the world to get reviewed. I could have picked people who would say good things out of loyalty to me, but instead I picked people who would tell me the truth. If the reviews say the book is rubbish I would rather people didn’t waste their money on it. If the reviews are positive then I know I’m moving in the right direction. Either way these reviews will have a positive affect on my life. This conveniently links into my next point.
All experiences are good
The dedication in by book reads,
“This book is dedicated every person I’Â’ve met, every place I’Â’ve been and every event I’Â’ve experienced.”
OK, it sounds a little cheesey, but I believe it’s true. Sometimes even the worst situations turn out to be the source something good.
I carry a small effigy of Ganesha, a Hindu deity who is known as “the remover of obstacles”, a well-timed present from a friend. Ganesha is part man, part elephant, part God and part demon. Now the interesting thing about Ganesha is that he also places obstacles in your path, as a way of teaching you a lesson. I’m not a religous person, but I love what he represents. We can learn a lot about ourselves by our reactions to both good and bad situations.
Acknowledge your ego
We all have an ego. It’s a contributing factor in our desire to progress. I heard this quote a few years ago,
“To deny your own ego is the most egotisitcal thing you can do.”
I can’t remember the source, but I think it’s pretty neat. I guess we all need to keep our egos in check from time to time 😉
Closing statements
I have two quotes to round off this post. The first is from a great sage called Jeff Hunter who said,
“Can’t we all just get along?”
I don’t know where I got this next one from, probably some hippy Yoga teacher,
“Life’s a journey, not a destination.”
Cheers
Tim…
