Is it hard to find time for training? (For example-grant management training-or any type of career development training, if it comes down to it?)
Finding Time for Training: #1 Excuse is No Time
There is no doubt that COVID-19 has brought a whole new set of challenges into the “time management” dilemma.
But consider this: If you promise yourself to make a little bit of time for training each day even if it’s 10-15 minutes, by the end of the year you will have had the equivalent of a full week of professional development completed-to improve your job performance, career prospects, or just increase your skill level.
5 Ways to Find Time to Improve Your Job Skills and Career Prospects
Sure we’re all busy rushing to complete the latest project and handling several “number one” priorities each day, so carving out even a little bit to improve our skills and job opportunities can be a HUGE deal.
But making the time to invest in yourself is worth it!
Here are five tips to make time for your future.
1. Start Work 15 Minutes Earlier
We all have good intentions, but once the workday starts, we all get busy.
Try starting work 15 minutes before the rest of your work team and devote that time to improving your job skills.
2. Ignore Email (and Facebook) for 15 Minutes Each Day
Have you ever tracked how much time you spend checking email, Facebook, and other time distractors each day?
Declare a media-free zone for 15 minutes each day while you concentrate on learning new information, or making a complex topic clearer.
3. Make Time for Training a Daily Routine
It is much harder to maintain a habit you don’t do daily.
Think of how much easier it is to keep the habit of brushing your teeth every day than to go for an hour-long walk each weekend.
Move learning from your to-do list to part of your daily routine and you’ll find it soon becomes second nature.
4. Schedule the Time for Training
Yes, this means putting the time on your phone, planner, or calendar and sticking to it.
You wouldn’t ignore an appointment to get your teeth cleaned or your car serviced.
Schedule the time each day to expand your mind and job prospects.
- Example: Find Out More About What Homer Simpson Can Teach Us about Grant Training
5. Say No to Distractions
One of the hard parts about training, when you are “office-mode”, is the many distractions that occur during your workday.
Create a signal that you are not available, for example close the door, put on the headphones, or post a do-not-disturb sign.
- Remember to communicate that you’ll be available again in 15 minutes. 🙂
An investment in job skills training can save you time in the future as problems can be averted before they occur.
And improving your grant management knowledge can also create more opportunities for career advancement, not to mention the personal satisfaction of becoming an expert in your field.
Training is a portable investment in YOU that no one can take away in uncertain times.
You are worth it!
Ready to Improve Your Grant Management?
How about you?
Would you like to be a better grant manager?
We have another grant management training seminar coming soon.
Click here to get all the details!
Hope to see you there!
Author:
Lucy Morgan CPA, MBA
CEO, Compliance Warrior
Author of “Decoding Grant Management-The Ultimate Success Guide to the Federal Grant Regulations in 2 CFR Part 200” The 2nd Edition is now available on Amazon in Paperback and Kindle versions.
