Why We Need to Go Back to School!
According to Cathy Sandeen, the Chancellor from University of Wisconsin, today’s average college graduate will change careers (not jobs) four to six times. There are other futurists who predict even more frequent transformation.
The new era of work is turning generations of rote cultural behaviors upside down. For example, for hundreds of years, we went through the educational factory culminating in a degree. Once that happened, the education stopped.
Now, static education is obsolete before the ink is dry. Learning content needs to be updated almost as quickly as it is written.
Today, higher education isn’t an endgame, it is where we learn a practice. Developing muscle in that practice is key for remaining competitive in our rapidly changing environment. Those of us who understand this dynamic are changing as quickly as the world around us. About seven years ago, Stanford Behavioral Science Institute conducted a study that indicated the average American doubles their knowledge every four years. Since the study, we are probably cutting that time in half. For the first time in history we have access to so much information that we can literally change who we are in relatively short periods of time. The study didn’t indicate the quality of knowledge. I spend much of my time studying the nature of work, business ownership and writing skills. But, I could be just as equally aware of Kim Kardashian’s whereabouts. It seems that learning how to curate the information we find is just as important to our future success.
The world’s most successful people read an average of 2-3 hours per day. They go to learning programs, conventions and watch Ted Talks. They pursue any session that could increase their awareness and knowledge.
Years ago, a former colleague looked me in the eye and proclaimed, “People don’t change.” In that one moment he absolved himself of growth.
We allow our fears to kill off change and growth. Usually, we justify the assassination of change through cynicism, contempt, aimlessness, resignation and frenzy. Sadly, this outlook often leads to our studying dysfunction rather than success.
Our Inspired Work Program has changed many, many lives. But, I have had to study the process to realize how that happens. Personal change is not that easy. Oh how I wish we could change while floating in a jacuzzi. By watching others I have learned that when we define a compelling mission, vision and purpose for our lives, we become willing to embrace discomfort to actualize. Absent that vision, why bother?
Oprah Winfrey once said that, “education sets us free.”
I will add to that statement that education reinvents us.
Education gives us the future.
We were having dinner recently with one of the world’s most celebrated cancer surgeons. She told me that she is so happy to be alive right here and right now. For the first time in history, we are actually looking at cures for cancer. The growth of artificial intelligence is leading up to life extension, solutions for saving the environment and driverless cars.
So, if we free ourselves up from driving, how are we going to use that available time?
Will we learn new skills that empower us to find yet another solution for this wild and crazy world?
Or, will we play Candy Crush in the back seat?
As the old world of work slips away, we have an opportunity to let go of the quest for survival and predictability and trade that in for growth. The kind of growth where we become more aware, bigger, newer, fresher, happier and filled with a new sense of meaning and purpose.
If you buy that, customize your new learning program.
Grow your curiosity.
Look for answers, skills, fresh insights and one day, in the not too distant future you will be new.
Brought to you by David Harder, Founder and President, Inspired Work, Inc.
Upcoming Events:
The Inspired Work Program (Los Angeles)
Saturday and Sunday, September 17 & 18
Over 42,000 professionals have used The Inspired Work Program to define thier place in the vastly changing world of work. Our process elevates standards, produces unique vision and blends the spiritual with “rubber meets the road” practicality.
Join us and expect turning points in your career, your business as you elevate the role work plays in your happiness.
If you have a friend or loved one and their work isn’t all it can be, take a moment and let them know about this life changing experience.
The program fee is $800 and seats are limited to 20 participants.
For a program overview (click here).
About your September Leader (click here).
We invite you to call and discuss your career and business needs. There’s no pressure, we are committed to everyone making an informed decision about this life-changing experience.
Call us at (310) 277-4850
- The program is delivered at the beautiful Luxe Summit – Bel Air (Los Angeles).
- Shuttles are available from LAX and the hotel provides special rates for out-of-town guests.
- Seating is limited to twenty participants.
Inspired Social Networking
Begins Monday, September 12 (4-6 p.m. pst), followed by three weekly sessions
Virtually every business owner that I know remembers what they were doing and where they were standing in October, 2008 when it became clear the financial marketing was collapsing. At the time, we had one individual who engaged in social networking and the results did not compare to business we obtained from referrals and traditional “feet on the ground” business development.
We the economy recovered we realized that social networking has the power to reach large volumes of buying influences in very short periods of time.
The problem?
The approach many people use in social networking feels like impersonal junk mail. Someone sends us a note to connect, we accept and one of two things happen:
We never hear from them again or we start receiving volumes of spam.
Social networking rebuilt our company and two years ago, it became our number one source for business.
Inspired Work designed a process that has become our most popular training program.
Inspired Social Networking is a unique and often game changing approach to business development and career success. It takes place in four two-hour virtual sessions. You are “in the process” for four weeks and emerge with a clear digital brand, a wonderful LinkedIn profile, new contacts and in many cases, new business or career opportunities.
Whether you are looking to build your own success or help your employees become far more profitable, we are here to support you and show you a new way of growth.
Four virtual weekly sessions begin:
Monday, September 12 – all from 4-6 p.m. (PST)
For a curriculum overview, click here.
From a recent participant:
“I came into the program as a recognized leader in the digital marketing profession. I felt that if I learned one or two things it would be valuable. The program is a surprising and unique take on using social networking to build an actively engaged community. Today, most of my new business comes by using the techniques from Inspired Social Networking.”
Dave Roth – CEO, Emergent Digital
To enroll, call 310-277-4850