Today’s piece is a guest post by Meredith Bell. Meredith is the president and co-founder of Performance Support Systems, a software company based in Newport News, Virginia. She’s been an entrepreneur since 1982, when she discovered that she didn’t function well in a bureaucratic, political organization. For the several years she consulted to local businesses, helping managers develop the people skills they need to become effective leaders and build strong teams. You can learn more about Meredith by visiting her blog, Your Voice of Encouragement.
Anyone who knows me well will be stunned to read the title of this post. How can I say there are negative aspects to ongoing self-development? I’ve always invested heavily in my own personal and professional growth – both financially and experientially. And my software company has been publishing assessment and development tools for the workplace for over 15 years.
But as one for whom learning is a passion, I’ve discovered there are some downsides. The four items listed here are related, but each presents its own challenge.
1. Accumulating a lot of knowledge without applying it in the real world
I admit that I rarely read novels. I prefer business books on topics like marketing, sales, leadership and personal development. That’s because I absolutely love my business, and I’m always interested in learning how to improve systems, relationships and of course, our bottom line. But sometimes I start on the next book before I’ve taken time to analyze and use the insights gleaned from the one I just read.
Lesson: For every book or program you go through, list the ideas that make sense for your situation. Then commit to implementing the one strategy that will make the biggest difference in your business or life, and hold yourself accountable for doing it.
2. Getting overwhelmed with too much information
As I read books and newsletters, watch DVDs, and listen to CDs, I can get paralyzed. There are so many directions to go. Is it possible to organize the mass of ideas into a cohesive action plan? And how do I deal with conflicting opinions and determine whose approach will get the best results?
Lesson: It’s about quality, not quantity. Determine the one subject, program or book to focus on, and dedicate time to it. Then use your gut as well as your rational mind to evaluate the concepts presented. Which ones sound and feel right for your business? Just one book with one idea can transform the way you do things and the outcomes you achieve. Look for the nuggets.
3. Spending money on the next hot idea before mastering the ones already purchased
Falling into this trap contributes to the situation described in #2. Some people call this tendency the “shiny object” syndrome. I’ll hear about a great solution to a business challenge, and I sometimes want to dive into that when I haven’t finished going through the materials I’ve already invested in.
Lesson: Use self-restraint and self-discipline. Say “no” to any attractive offers that come along until you’ve fully digested the one you’re consuming now. Unsubscribe from mailing lists that continually blast you with the next great offer promising to double or triple your results. Find someone who will require you to justify your reason for wanting to make a particular purchase.
4. Experiencing the uneasy feeling that you’re still not ready or good enough
When I’m studying the work of people who’ve specialized in a particular subject for many years, I sometimes feel inadequate. I’ve postponed taking action because of thoughts like, “If I just get a little more information about this, then I’ll be able to do that.” The truth is, there’s no end to the comparisons that could be made where I would fall short.
Lesson: No matter what field you’re in, there’s always room to grow and learn. You’ll never reach the end of what you can become, but don’t let that stop you from using the knowledge, skills and talents you already possess. Give yourself full credit for what you already have, and recognize that when you try things, they don’t have to be perfect.
The Bottom Line
Despite the drawbacks I’ve described here, I intend to continue my pursuit of becoming a better version of myself. The process of thinking about and articulating these four downsides has made me more keenly aware of their potential to harm instead of help me in my journey. As a result, I’ll keep my eyes wide open and be more careful to avoid these traps going forward.
Because in the end, it’s not about what you know. It’s about what you do with what you know.
What’s your experience been like? Did you relate to any of the four downsides? Have you discovered other obstacles on the path of self-development?
Great post Meredith!
I have felt or am feeling many of these throughout the years. I think the biggest takeaway during these times is that it’s not the continued learning that is the problem – it’s what I do with it on a daily basis.
Knowledge always helps – but applied knowledge helps more.
Frank, thanks for sharing your own experience. Yes, application is the real test of whether we’ve truly learning something. If we can’t use it, have we really integrated and mastered the information? I don’t think so.
Meredith, your guest post couldn't have come at a better time for me, personally. I've been 'doing what I do' for many years, but only recently have I been induced to take the social media plunge. So, in addition to all the other irresistible shiny objects in my field of interest, I am now up to my eyeballs in a whole new world – one seemingly populated by experts. Very overwhelming. Tons of new information to learn, integrate and apply.
For me, your post has been a coaching nugget that forced me to acknowledge my emulation anxiety and the analysis paralysis that came with it. I'm passionate about the work I do (building respectful workplaces/bullying-harassment prevention etc.) and continuous learning, and your post (and Frank's distillation) – my takeaway from this is a personal call to action. THANKS!
Rusti
Rusti, I am thrilled that my post spoke to you, and I appreciate your honesty. It’s easy to get into overwhelm with all the information flowing from the “experts” – especially in the world of Social Media.
Action is definitely the key, combined with focus. If you do ONE thing – the highest-priority item – it will make a huge difference. I remind myself of this EVERY day!
Great post!
I especially like the point about managing the influx of too much information. As a Community Manager, my productivity is a direct reflection of my ability to moderate my attention to content. I find myself breaking my day into increments– 8-9 respond to emails, 9-10 twitter update, 10-11 read blogs, comment, etc. Without this discipline, I find myself lost, literally lost online. And my days are largely spent working, but not producing.
Thanks for sharing!
Meredith, I'm so glad your first point was "Accumulating a lot of knowledge without applying it in the real world." This is a particular pet peeve of mine. I know people that read all the books and go to all the seminars and are no better off because they don't apply what they've learned. Excellent article.
Jodi, a daily structure like you've set up really does help you stay on task and make sure you make progress towards your goals.
Connie, thanks for your positive feedback. With each book I read or program I go through, I make a list of action steps I'm going to take. It keeps me from just storing more stuff in my brain!
Hi Meredith Thanks so much for the lessons. As I am always eager to learn I was getting more and more involved in several things and not doing one properly. Your advice about focusing, dedicating to one and listen to our gut and rational mind to evaluate the concept presented has been of great help for me. Thank you.
I will print and keep this article in my worflow folder at work and in my notebooks at home. It will remind me to focus and execute more than I hunt for the next shiny object. Thanks this is timely as I embark on yet another course!