I am looking forward to the start of the The North Wildwood Beach Writers’ Conference tomorrow at the Wildwoods Convention Center in Wildwood, New Jersey.
It will be a great opportunity to meet and mingle with both published and unpublished writers. It is a two day event with fourteen different speakers.
Attending conferences like this, as well as, workshops and seminars or taking continuing education classes at the local community college is just one of the important ways I invest in myself. It is a way to learn, meet people with similar interests and goals, be inspired and remind myself to stay focused and on track to my dreams and goals.
When I worked in the dietetic field the American Dietetic Association mandated that I have a minimum of 50 CEU’s every five years to maintain my registration status. Most professionals have similar mandatory continuing education requirements.
Unlike some of my professional associates I did not look at the continuing eduction requirement as a burden, but as an opportunity and an adventure. I loved to learn so this gave me the chance, and the excuse, to keep doing what I loved.
When I left this field and moved into a completely different profession in logistics, distribution and transportation, I again had the opportunity for continuing education. This time it was voluntary and not mandatory. With the support of my company I took classes and attended professional conferences. I even had several opportunities to present and speak at some of these events.
As I began to seriously consider branching out on my own and become self-employed I realized that the continuing education I had taken for granted for so many years was really up to me now. I decided immediately that I investing in myself had to be a priority.
I made the decision to attend a minimum of three (3) workshops, seminars or classes per year.
The biggest difference between my self-directed entrepreneurial continuing education program and my previous professional programs…I could study anything I wanted to. There were no restrictions!! Oh, how exciting. It was like having the keys to the candy store.
Since then I have attended events with as many as four hundred (400) people and events with as few as four (4) people. I’ve traveled cross country and studied right in my own backyard. I’ve met multi-millionaire entrepreneurs, celebrities, and people just starting out. I’ve studied writing, entrepreneurship and meditation, to name just a few. And, along the way, I’ve learned a lot and had fun.
Tomorrow’s conference is my fourth event this year. I am planning to attend at least three more before the year ends and hold a few events of my own.
Self-employed means self-directed, self-motivated and self-love. Continuous education, lifelong long learning and investing in myself is one of the greatest gifts I have ever given to myself.
How about you? Do you have your own continuing education program? How do you invest in yourself?
Thanks, Maureen. Maybe we will run into one another at a seminar or workshop. That would be pretty awesome.
Sandy
Hi Barb,
Thank you for taking the time to comment. It is nice to connect to other people who also believe in the importance of continuous life long learning.
An excellent post. We’re never too old to learn, and I find it stimulating – and fun.
I’m self-employed also, and I sometimes audit a class at a local community college. I’ve learned a lot of great things that way, and had a great deal of fun.
Thanks for a well-written piece. As an entrepreneur, I often get so caught up with the running of my business that I forget to take time out to expand my horizons. This is a great reminder that it’s been awhile since I’ve participated in a seminar or workshop!