Okay not exactly the nicest expression but everyone knows it so I am going with it.
Last week I taught an Ipad Basics Class to a room full of seniors who were in their seventies and well beyond. They brought their new shinny ipads with them and I got to work teaching them how how to make these babies work!
The first course I taught to this age group was an Introduction to Computers. Back then I was working for the government and teaching part time. I remember during the course gently taking the hand of a women who was putting her mouse on the computer screen and telling her that she had to operate it from the desk.Think how brave that women was to be in that class taking on the challenge of learning something as daunting as how computers worked.
Now fast forward 15 years and I am in front a room of tech savvy seniors who wanted to learn the latest and greatest apps. They were so amazing!
It got me thinking that we are never to old to learn.
So my tips for you this week comes in the form of a 21 Day Challenge to learn something new every day.
Here are some ideas to keep our minds active in the pursuit of learning:
Learn a new thing like:
- Computer program
- Craft
- Language
- Skill
- Sport
- Meditation
- Sewing
- Riding a motorcycle
- Flying
- Cooking
- Baking
- A new accreditation
You get the point. Just challenge yourself. Use things like Youtube, a webinar or a workshop to help you in the pursuit of learning!
Excellent challenge! If you'd like to learn a new tech skill, I encourage you to check out Camp Tech (http://www.camptech.ca/). There are still a few spots left for our WordPress for Beginners class THIS Saturday, November 24: http://nov24wordpressforbeginners.eventbrite.ca/
Hi Amber – thanks for commenting – I love what your company is doing and look forward to getting involved more with the great training you offer! It is on my "to do" list to get in touch.
Yikes I am sorry Avery – not Amber. Please excuse my brain blip!
What I love so much about this blog is that the insights apply beyond the business world. Learning new skills, techniques for completing a task, immersing ourselves in new technologies, new ways of managing relationships – all of these things and more are the lifeblood of anything or anyone that is successful. Over the last 105 years, we at UPS have learned that investing in ecommerce and moulding into a 360-degree shipping and logistics company helped propel us into one of the globe’s most respected brands. I recently spoke with one of my long-time customers who has been in business for more than 30 years. He told me that later this month his business will now take orders online and he’s extremely excited to see how it will impact sales and long-term growth. Why is this important? Because he has learned than in order to thrive in today’s hyper-modern/tech-savvy world, we need to adapt and offer the services that our clients desire. To me, this blog evokes the idea of constant evolution; we should always try to learn new things – regardless of age.
Hi Paul,
Thanks for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful response. I love that you keep in touch with your customers and celebrate their development! We share similar values that way. Age is never a barrier – it is our attitude at any age that leaves us behind or propels us forward.
Thanks, Leigh Mitchell @leighmitchell @womenbiznetwork