I had an interesting conversation this weekend with my cousin about education. It was really a bit of a debate. (This is where the people who really know me laugh, because I seem to enjoy debating…) For brevity, I’ll just say that he argued for experience over formal education and little ms. mba argued the opposite.
The truth is that there are so many ways to learn – formal school programs, community college, trade schools, independent learning, mentors, work experience, and the list goes on and on. Learning demands a kind of openness that defies ones ego. I know quite a few popular quotes on education that say learning is also about unlearning things you thought were correct. To learn, a person has to admit that they don’t know everything – and that openness gets harder and harder as we age because we need to believe that we know what we’re doing.
I have a bit of a learning routine now that I’d like to share with you, my friends, family, and oddly enough my colleagues who actually subscribe to my blog. I’ve been watching my stats and… weird, but growing. 
- Take a class – I find certificate programs exciting. I try to take at least one formal class every year. Georgetown has some great programs for professionals. I’m thinking about Project Management now… Already did certificate in web design. The structure forces accountability. If you don’t learn anything in a class, it’s your own fault.
- Read smart mags – I have a subscription to The Economist and Harvard Business Review. I make it a point to read through those every month. Sometimes I fall short because though I love The Economist, the content can be kinda dense and difficult to get through quickly. Since my HBR subscription is digital, I print those and keep them with me at work. While I’m waiting for people to arrive at meetings, I can sneak a page in here and there – and lunch time too.
- Watch Podcasts - There are so many and you can not only learn but listen to things that inspire you to dig deeper into your craft, and even discover new passions. I have all sorts of podcasts from language lessons to Ted.com which I believe is one of the most inspirational sites I’ve ever seen.
- Watch Documentaries - Though movies can be biased by the director/producer’s position, they can be very informative. I watch documentaries on everything from birth to business. (Not that I have any interest in birth…)
- Talk to Smart People - I think very carefully about the people in my circle. I want them to be thoughtful, smart, and intellectually curious. Surrounding yourself with thinkers is one of the smartest ways to get better, faster. I’ve found my friends’ intellectual pursuits to be a source of motivation for me to keep sharpening the saw, and finding my way.
I may seem like I think I have all the answers, but the truth is though I don’t have all the answers, I am constantly looking.