How much are you actually executing on that education?
While on a coaching call with a client recently I got some news no one wants to get. It wasn't from the client; they were fine. No, instead, it was an emergency warning on my mac.
As someone who works almost entirely online, anything that impacts my mac impacts me (oh dear God, how #AppleFan can I sound?!). I got through the rest of the call and then, as calmly as I could, I began Ecosia-ing the issue.
As I researched the problem, uncovered possible solutions and implemented any education I was gaining, it occurred to me just how often we action only two of those three elements when running a small business.
1. We research the problem in hope of a quick fix or to sidestep others' mistakes, and
2. We uncover myriad of solutions and download a bunch of possible fixes...
.And yet, unless we deem it urgent, we can often leave the execution of that education to one side; parked for another day. Part of the solution to my mac "emergency" was to offload files I hadn't used in some time. I started my business at the tail end of 2015 and when I looked through files, searching by last opened date, I realised how much "education" I had bought (or downloaded for free) at that time; knowledge consumed but never utilised. Sure, amongst the files and courses were some things that REALLY helped me start my business and anything great had also been moved to my cloud drive, but there were so many files I'd downloaded, never to be opened up again.
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How much of the education you consume are you actually executing? How much action are you taking with what you're learning?
It's thought that more than 80% of people who buy online courses never actually complete them. And, the sad part is, this isn't just the odd course from a fitness guru, productivity expert, parenting author or time management expert. There's also stats claiming that even when it comes to tertiary education — where people are racking up massive student debt — attendance and completion of online courses is dwindling.
So, why is this? Is it a lack of time? A lack of commitment? The idea that by simply purchasing education we're somehow better off, even if that education never pushes us to take action? Or, could it be that we are simply used to breaking a promise to ourselves, whereas if we were forced to stay accountable to others, we might actually turn up or put the effort in to execute on what we have learned?
To date, I've taught thousands of small business owners through online and live workshops, speaking gigs, short and long e-courses, and by teaching in other people's membership and mastermind groups. I can honestly say the people who I have seen take the biggest leaps forward have been those who not only attended the class or call, or enrolled in the course, but who took steady and consistent action on what they had learned. I have had emails and messages from people who attended a class of mine, who have made one night a week their "education and execution" evening, or who have been able to go on holiday for the first time because they have implemented systems and processes they learned in a class, or who have finally hired a "superstar" because they took action to ensure that person was set up for success before they signed their contract. In fact, this is a huge part of why I'm running my Marketing for Your Small Business 8-Week Coaching Program. It's my hope that the 8 weeks of live coaching helps people not only complete the course and understand why they're marketing and how to measure it, but also to get into a habit of showing up and taking action on what they are learning.
It's one thing to consume content and education, quite another to execute on it.
Take a moment to consider this: How can you dedicate time this week, this month or this quarter to reviewing education you have received and implementing what you have learned? Which habits can you set up that aid in you not only consuming quality education but creating success in your business because of it?
As Bob Proctor once said, "Accountability is the glue that ties commitment to the result". It is fantastic to be committed to learning but perhaps it is even better to put that learning to use.