Forcing Myself to Learn

Last week on Instagram, I posted that once again I put myself in a tight spot by signing up to do something that I didn’t know how to do. The tight spot is that the deadline approaches, and I’m not as ready as I should be.

I’ve done this many times, and so far it’s only backfired once. I sign up to do a conference presentation about a topic that I have some knowledge, but am not an expert. I sign up in order to force myself to learn it.

I’ve done many conference presentations this way. It’s been beneficial for the most part, and I’ve learned many new things. It’s easy to get mired in the daily minutia at work. I have to take radical steps sometimes to expand my repertoire. Volunteering to present topics, where I had to do a significant amount of new learning was the radical step that I took. My motivation was the embarrassment factor of either backing out or presenting poorly.

My current employer has an annual meeting for its clients at the end of May. I am scheduled to do 3-4 one hour presentations and one all day training workshop. This article is about the workshop.

I submitted my proposal back in September when it seemed like I had decades ahead of me to research, practice and learn. I did little in the fall. I did some work in the winter, but not nearly as much as I should have. There is now one month for me to become an expert. It’s doable, but the pressure is building.

Part of me wishes that I hadn’t signed up to do this. I get paid a little extra to do it, but it’s far more work than what the immediate pay reflects. None of that matters, as I’m past the point of no return. Clients have signed up, and have booked non-refundable flights and hotel accommodations.

I cannot give up. I must press on.

The topic of my workshop is an important one; a topic that has no expert on my team. Becoming the expert would distinguish me in an important area. That, and not the direct monetary remuneration is my primary motivation. Becoming an expert in this area can translate into more training opportunities with our clients. That is what will increase my pay in noticeably.

When I’m honest with myself, I don’t regret signing up for the workshop. I’m only disappointed in myself that I haven’t used my time as effectively as I should have in the fall and winter. That time is gone now.

Do you do find yourself in similar situations? What are the tricks that you’ve identified to overcome your inertia?

Image by Foundry Co from Pixabay