Whether you’ve chosen an entrepreneurial path, or you’re just thinking about one, chances are you know you have a lot of learning to do.
It’s a challenge to determine…
a. What you really need to learn
b. How you will learn best
c. Who will teach you
The best entrepreneurial education for me has come from other successful entrepreneurs and business owners. It’s an ongoing process and requires formal and informal learning.
I have sought out mentors, experts and other successful entrepreneurs over many years. They represent different styles, philosophies, and business models.
If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, it’s likely difficult for you to focus for long periods of time. You enjoy creating. You move in different directions. You’re good at generating ideas. Squeeze short learning segments into your day or week regularly.
Follow your interests.
Make your ongoing learning a priority.
Decide where you will start to build your knowledge about running a business or achieving your ideal role. There are a variety of in-person and virtual opportunities to learn about any topic of interest.
What works for one person doesn’t necessarily for another.
I recently attended a workshop where the speaker quickly skimmed through a lot of ideas, but did not go in depth in any subject area. He repeated he was just trying to “pack a lot in the session.” It was like drinking from a fire hose. He clicked through power point slides in a matter of seconds.
I found the experience frustrating and disrespectful. (Of course I can be a slow learner.) I learned more by exchanging ideas with other participants in the hallways.
What educational resources will you seek?
“But I don’t know what I don’t know!” Start with your main goal. Share it. Get feedback from others in the field. Ask those professionals what they would recommend to speed your learning curve. You’ll likely get different answers, but you can determine what will work best for you.
Becoming an entrepreneur may not have been your original goal. Instead you may be evolving into entrepreneurship, like I did.
Jump in. Start learning now!
PS: Some people enjoying learning so much that they fail to take the action to get results. There’s always “something” more to learn. These perpetual learners get stuck in patterns that hold them back. Balance learning and action to see best results.