Education and business: can they coexist? The answer is yes – if you can make it work with your busy schedule. Pursuing educational opportunities as you manage a job or business brings valuable benefits, but taking on too much can quickly burn you out. Here are some tips for balancing education with business.
Why invest time in learning in the first place? The reality is that your industry – and every other industry – is a constantly changing landscape with new tools and topics being introduced all the time.
Staying educated on what’s new – or catching up on what’s old – will bring you greater perspective and the ability to make better business decisions.
Forbes also emphasizes the importance of professionals needing to be “proactive and adaptable to stay relevant and thrive in their careers”, especially with the rise of automation and AI putting certain jobs at risk. By continuing to learn new skills and build your knowledge base, you can stay competitive.
You can also discover new tools and tricks that improve your daily operations. For example, many Software for Hardware customers discovered the productivity of door, frame, and hardware project management software by first learning more about technology.
What’s more, taking the time to learn about a subject you always wanted to can simply make you happier.
However, there are hurdles to learning. Lack of time, resources, money, and energy can keep business owners from taking those steps.
Though we can’t add more time to the day, we can manage it. Creating a schedule with hours dedicated to business time and education time will help you balance your days better. Moreover, sharing this schedule with employees or friends can keep you accountable.
You should also plan the type of learning to pursue. Indeed.com lists 12 types of continuing education that people choose to “learn new skills and fulfill personal interests.” These options include professional certifications, events like conferences and seminars, and volunteer work.
Different options require different amounts of time, money, and energy, so you should explore what works for you. Indeed recommends setting clear career, educational, and personal goals to help you identify the skills you’re most interested in learning – and how you will learn them.
And if you can’t dedicate hours to learning, that’s no problem. Even taking 10 minutes out of each day to read an article about current trends can make a big impact over time.
Another easy option is to read blog posts from professionals in your field. For door security and safety professionals, idighardware.com is a great source. Written and run by Allegion’s Lori Greene, the blog updates constantly with helpful facts and resources related to doors, frames, and hardware – and it’s free.
Another resource is the Door and Hardware Institute (DHI). Representing door security and safety professionals across the industry, they offer a variety of educational opportunities: online and in-person courses, assessment tests, webinars, and more. Keep in mind that these courses are paid, however.
This is where budget is important to consider. Plan out your finances to find out what you’re willing and able to spend on educational opportunities.
Finally, remember that learning is not done in a day. It’s a lifelong process, as there’s always something new to learn. Don’t take on too many opportunities too quickly, or the process will be painful and short-lived. Plan a schedule, know your budget, and take your time, and you’ll be on the path to productive working and learning.
Anna Litofsky, Marketing Coordinator, Software For Hardware.
