The best magazine
Since leaving school I have found that I enjoy learning a lot and I believe that as human beings we all like learning new things, we just like doing it in different ways.
Some of us like to discuss and talk about news and discoveries, others of us like to read or watch videos but it's all information going in.
Nearly all of us are an expert in something, we all have a hobby like golf, fishing, clothes shopping, gardening, dog breeding and the list goes on but the point is we have all self educated ourselves to a high level in all number of different subjects.
It just proves that we can all learn to a high level when we have to or want to.
When I got my first break and started my first I.
T.
job at nineteen years old my boss offered me to use a corner of the computer room to setup my own test networks and learn in my spare time at evenings and weekends.
I later found out that this was offered to many before and since but I was the only one to take it up.
I was only nineteen, I had no family and few real friends so what other pressing things should I spend my time doing? Computers is not a passion, it's not what I always wanted to do but I saw it for what it was; a great opportunity to better myself.
Considering I didn't have much formal education I was fortunate to have got myself that far so the least I could do was learn all I could in my spare time and better my situation even more.
Since then at many times I have come up against things I needed to get done but could not afford to pay someone else to do; web design, accounts, tax paperwork, marketing and many other skills I have been forced to pick up.
Some of these things like accounts I quite literally detest with a passion but I have found out that if I put my mind to it and with the right types of tools I can learn almost anything.
Something I have explained to people many times is what I have told myself when starting a new project or I'm at turning point in my life, my motto during these times is: Whatever it takes! Part of my "whatever it takes" attitude includes learning any new skills necessary to get to where I want to be.
People often ask me for advice on how they can start a new venture or become an entrepreneur and I always tell them that if they believe in "whatever it takes" then they can achieve anything.
Sometimes things don't turn out how we expect or how we would like, sometimes we fail and it can dent our confidence but we always learn something.
If you are prepared to do whatever it takes then you will learn what you need to learn, you will find the resources you need to find, you will overcome the hurdles and failures and you will do whatever you need to do to make a success of all your goals.
Here my key tips on self educating: - Join a library.
Your local town and/or school library will be free or very low cost to join so make the most of it and all the resources it offers, including the people that work there.
- Use the internet but DON'T OVERUSE the internet.
I don't think there is much on this planet that isn't covered somewhere on the web so make the most of it but sometimes if you need something in depth you will need to look harder and quite often you will need a specialist book, hence why the point above about joining a library is so important.
- Never underestimate the willingness of experts to help you.
It is very flattering to be asked advice and help by someone learning in your field so never be afraid to ask for help and tutoring from an expert in the subject you are trying to learn about.
- Give yourself time.
Don't try and learn a new topic overnight and if you find it tough give yourself enough time to take in all the information required and even more time to effectively implement what you have learned, allowing for mistakes.
I hope you find this advice useful and happy learning.
Source: ...