LEARNED ANYTHING NEW?

We constantly hear that we live in the information age and 
that what you know and who you know are the twin paths to 
success. I believe that, and yet I'm constantly amazed at 
how little responsibility people take for up-grading their 
skills. 
Recently, I learned that the garage where people take their cars 
when it needs work, requires their employees to spend more 
hours (and more dollars) per year on continuing education 
than most states require for doctors, lawyers, or other 
professionals. Think about that the next time you take your 
car in for repairs--or have to pay the bill!
Periodically I hear frightening accounts of how few books 
the average person reads, or how few classes they take 
after they leave school. I remember once hearing a friend 
say that if her employer wanted her to get more education, 
"they’ll have to pay me for it." What a tragic attitude!
Increasingly the keys to success are being able to do more, 
quicker and better than your competition, and most of the 
time that means KNOWING more than the next person. It means 
knowing more about language and culture, knowing more about 
your industry and having better contacts. It means knowing 
HOW to learn, and using that knowledge to your advantage.
As Brian Tracy has said for years, read the books. Attend 
the seminars. Take the classes and expand your world. The 
late Jim Rohn famously put it this way: "Work harder on 
yourself than you do on your job."
To work less and earn more, you've got to know more than 
your competitors. This week, sign up for at least one 
seminar. Check a book out of the library. Sow the seeds for 
your future.