If spring is for initiation, summer is for relaxation, and winter is for celebration, then what is the purpose of fall? This question is likely to conjure up images of turkey dinner, pumpkin pie, and Charlie Brown, and while those things may be enjoyable, they hardly represent a seasonal theme. There’s no autumnal equivalent to spring cleaning or a New Year’s Resolution, and the truth is that – though comprised of many individually good components – fall is, to many, just another stretch on the road to the next year. However, it doesn’t have to be; autumn, like so much else, is what you make of it. One possibility, evident in this “back-to-school” season, is education. Though self-improvement is not always in itself an effective motivator, this theme is fitting precisely because not everyone will find it alluring; let those who don’t spend the season resting on their laurels. Fall is the time for the go-getters of the world to improve, and the key to that is to always be learning.
Step 1: Evaluation
The first step toward any sort of education is to determine exactly what areas one needs improvement. Evaluation – whether of oneself or others – is a soft skill in which many otherwise-successful people are lacking. Mastering the field of evaluation is doubly beneficial for our purposes: in addition to being the foundation on which adult education is built, it will itself constitute the learning of an important life skill. But what is the root of evaluation? The answer is simple honesty. Though it should never pass into the realm of harshness, evaluation should absolutely always be honest and unflinching. Set an objective, a reasonable standard by which to judge your performance, and do just that. Be sure to keep in mind that which you are doing well, but avoid making excuses. Do not wait until Thanksgiving dinner to consider everything that’s being done wrong; being honest will be much more beneficial, and much quicker.
Step 2: Exploration
From there, the next step toward education is to set a course of action. In many fields, periodic education is a commonly required practice and this requirement is, if nothing else, certainly an effective motivator. Difficulty arises, however, from the extensive diversity of these educational programs, which are almost as numerous and varied as the companies which offer them. Whereas one company may offer a veritable array of courses, another is just as likely to offer few or none. In any event, one never knows until one checks, so doing just that is recommended. For those without any required courses, or for whom such courses were unsatisfactory, the first attempt at seeking out education will likely consist of a quick internet search. Though this course of action may have some success, the results are likely to vary widely depending on the subject. For those whose searches are less than successful, inquiring to one’s management or human resources department about additional education might present other opportunities. You’ll likely be surprised about what your company can offer you, as well as its willingness to pay for it.
Step 3: Motivation
Though these tactics are all well and good, there is one aspect of education which stands above all others in its importance: motivation. Simply put, motivation is the determiner of whether learning falls under self-improvement or chore. Framing education with effective goal-setting will certify that you never lose sight of your prize. Whether your goal is to learn a new skill, improve in your weak areas, or simply to get a head start on what will be everyone else’s New Year’s resolution, don’t fall like the leaves into the rut of tedium that so many do this time of year.
