Do you need a college degree to get ahead today? That’s one of the hottest topics out there and a continuing question I am being asked. (I included a new chapter in the revision of 48 Days to the Work You Love titled Yes, I Have an “Education.”)
I love the process of learning and have pursued that in multiple ways. Yes, I did go to college and have both a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology. I completed my doctoral studies but never turned in a dissertation. Instead of creating a document for four old guys to read I wrote a book that a whole lot of people have read – and paid for. Today I write, speak and coach. Along the way I’ve owned varied businesses and done everything from painting houses to selling cars.
So let’s look at some things you can do – right now – to get an education that matters.
Here are Ten Steps to Education – Things you can do this year to open the floodgates of new opportunity, and new wealth. Companies will want you, you’ll see new things you can do on your own, and your income will start to grow in unexpected ways.
- Read (or listen to) at least 12 great books – I have an Amazon.com Prime membership with unlimited Free Two-Day Shipping – and buy books liberally – and encourage you to do the same. However, if you feel you cannot invest even small dollars in your education then check them out of the library. (See complete list here – Dan’s Reading List)
I know of no way to more quickly change your level of success than to read good books.
Old Classics like
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- Think and Grow Rich
- The Magic of Thinking Big
- How to Win Friends and Influence People
- The Strangest Secret
Timeless Greats
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- Thou Shall Propser
- A Whole New Mind
- How to think like Leonardo da Vinci
- The Success Principles
More recent titles
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- Trust Agents
- Linchpin
- The Compound Effect
- The Art of Non-Non-Conformity
[click_to_tweet tweet=”“The man who doesn’t read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.” – Mark Twain @48daysteam” quote=”“The man who doesn’t read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.” – Mark Twain”]
2. Attend 3 or 4 seminars
Chose what you’d like – but go with an open mind. I attend a lot of seminars each year. My goal is not to change my life with any ONE seminar, but to learn at least one great idea that I can use.
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- A 48 Days Eagles Innovate Experience
- TED Conference – various speakers
- Social Media Marketing World
- Check your local community for workshops and seminars (weekly listings)
[click_to_tweet tweet=”“Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes @48daysteam” quote=”“Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes”]
3. Subscribe to at least two great magazines
You can get any magazine on line if you prefer. I still enjoy holding the magazine, turning the pages and returning to them again and again. Here are some of my favorites
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- Success (includes an audio CD each month- invaluable)
- INC
- Wired
- Entrepreneur
[click_to_tweet tweet=”“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” ~Chinese Proverb @48daysteam” quote=”“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” ~Chinese Proverb”]
4. Listen to 3 or 4 informational on-demand radio shows & read 3 or 4 blogs each week
You may be an audio or print learner. No right or wrong – just select what works for you. The free information is priceless.
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- Dan Miller How to find or create Work you Love
- Seth Godin How to be Remarkable
- Chris Brogan How to use Social Media
- Chris Guillebeau Unconventional Strategies for Life, Work and Travel
- Dave Ramsey Entreleadership
- Mike Hyatt Intentional Leadership
5. Get involved in a community like 48 Days Eagles
Find a couple where you can identify with the group – then get involved. Contribute, ask questions and give advice. You’ll find your center of influence will grow rapidly.
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- Start your own blog.
- Write and then comment on others
- Ask questions – seek advice
6. Work on improving your Emotional Intelligence
Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the ability to use and manage your emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, overcome challenges and defuse conflict. Your skill in this area will allow you to form healthier relationships, achieve greater success at work, and lead a more fulfilling life.
[click_to_tweet tweet=”“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” ~Chinese Proverb @48daysteam” quote=”“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” ~Chinese Proverb”]
7. Acquire at least one new skill this year
Each year I select an area of interest – having nothing to do with business or making money. Purely for the “education.” Imagine that.
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- Photography
- Martial arts
- Astronomy
- Our Spiritual heritage
- Learn a new language
- Take the Drawing from the right side of the brain class.
- Start a book discussion or Mastermind group
- Get a vocational degree in something you can use immediately
[click_to_tweet tweet=”“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty.” ~Henry Ford @48daysteam” quote=”“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty.” ~Henry Ford”]
8. Become comfortable with your presentation skills
No matter what your career or business you must be comfortable presenting your ideas. It will do wonders for your confidence and self-esteem. You will find it easier to complete a sales transaction, have conversations with family and friends, and find success in your career.
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- Join Toastmasters
- Take the Dale Carnegie Human Relations course
- Teach a Sunday School class at your church
- Volunteer to lead a book discussion at your local library
9. Take 2 or 3 courses in areas of interest.
You don’t have to be “accepted” or lock in thousands of dollars in tuition. Just explore the many courses that can give you marketable skills on sites like:
- https://www.khanacademy.org
- https://www.lynda.com/
- https://www.vtc.com/
- https://www.udemy.com
- 48 Days University
These sites have thousands of professional video courses covering almost every topic imaginable. And you can access to all courses on the site for a small monthly fee or a small fee for the individual course. Many of these courses have certificates of completion to show adequate preparation for work in that area. More and more employers are accepting these certificates as proof of training.
10. Plan two trips this year
Many people think they cannot afford to travel. Joanne and I have continued to travel even through our toughest times financially. I’ve been treating her to Christmastime in Chicago for over 20 years now. Direct flights from Nashville used to be $69 round trip (a little more now). And few people travel on business the week of Christmas so 4-star hotels are cheap and easy to get. Typically I have used PriceLine to put in my bid of about $79 a night. But just do something that excites you. Be creative. Joanne and I often go downtown Nashville and just pretend we’re tourists. We walk through the classic cathedrals, over the unique pedestrian bridges, and visit the art displays.
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- Off-season (Chicago at Christmas time)
- You can swap houses with someone anywhere in the world: https://www.homeexchange.com https://www.homelink.org/
- You can rent a unique place from the owner (like a cottage in Ireland for $280/wk) – Vacation Rentals by Owner https://www.vrbo.com/
I’m sure you could probably add more examples of experiences in your life that have helped you get an “education.” With today’s technology you can listen to your smart phone while cleaning the house or driving your car.
So where do you think I got my “education?” If I depended on my academic degrees, would I really be qualified to write, speak and coach?
What life experiences have been part of your “education?”
Thank you so much for this resource, Dan. As a college professor, you would think that this blog post offends me, but it’s quite the opposite. I am floored at the number of students I have who have wandered into college with no real plan, and this includes people who are not recent high school graduates.
For me, I was able to advance to a career that I love the old-fashioned way, but reading these posts has shown me that there will be many who don’t fit that mold.
Right now, I am using Khan Academy to relearn mathematics (my discipline) from the very beginning. I now manage all math tutoring at my community college, so I have to relearn the courses that I used to know but never taught. Someday, I want to use Khan Academy to learn other disciplines and/or industries. I recommend it to anyone!
I will be saving this post for a while, and I want to make it a goal to cover a lot of its material.
Thanks,
Andy
Andy,
Thanks so much for your input from a college professor perspective. I love that you are in a career you love that embraces the traditional academic model but at the same time you are using some new non-traditional resources to keep yourself current and relevant.
If anyone is looking for a plan to achieve, here it is!
Dan, Thanks so much for the great resources. There are some new ones that I want to implement this year in my own “continuing ed” plan. Developing a habit of voracious reading is key, I agree.I pick one new magazine a year to learn from and see some on your list that I haven’t tried. As a writer I’ve found the process of learning something new, reading in varied subject areas and traveling (even just locally if broke) are catalysts for the creative process. I’m currently visiting an old friend and have spent the week trying new foods and learning to paddle board on the ocean. Invigorating!
Karen,
I’m reading Daily Rituals right now – a book about the typically odd practices of creative people in history. Sound like you enjoy the process of stretching yourself to find new inspiration. Keep learning!
Another book I’d like to add to your list is “Outwitting the Devil” by Napoleon Hill. Rather than dealing specifically with how to succeed, it takes the opposite view and shows how humans self-sabotage their attempts at success through a dialogue with “the devil.” NOTE: the book will offend quite a few people, as it is rather scathing in its indictments of public schools and much of what is taught in organized religion, but frankly, the critiques are more relevant today than they were in 1938, when the book was written.
Oh I love that book. Yep – pretty edgy but so right on.
Another book I’d like to add to your list is “Outwitting the Devil” by Napoleon Hill. Rather than dealing specifically with how to succeed, it takes the opposite view and shows how humans self-sabotage their attempts at success through a dialogue with “the devil.” NOTE: the book will offend quite a few people, as it is rather scathing in its indictments of public schools and much of what is taught in organized religion, but frankly, the critiques are more relevant today than they were in 1938, when the book was written.