This Week's Coaching Tips from Andy Robinson/CRG

Instilling the habit of lifelong learning is a key leadership trait. Personal and professional development is an ongoing process that we must totally embrace as leaders. Staying ahead of the curve on trends relevant to your profession, understanding leading edge thinking, keeping your finger on the pulse of the ever-evolving and expanding body of knowledge relevant to you profession, and keeping up to with the latest and greatest technology requires dedicated TIME and purposeful attention.

Habit 1 - Listen to Audio Books on a Regular Basis

Habit 2 - Regularly Browse Your Local Bookstore

Habit 3 - Keep Reading Material Readily Available

Habit 4 - Set Aside Time in the AM and PM For Reading

Each of the above Habits will be explored and discussed over the next several eZine issues. We'll focus this week on Habit 1 - Listening to Audio Books on a Regular Basis.

Habit 1 - Listen to Audio Books on a Regular Basis

Audio books represent a wonderful medium for learning. The body of knowledge currently available on audio books is extensive -- covering a wide variety of topical areas -- and continues to grow at a rapid rate.

Our Electronic Wardrobe. MP3 players and iPods (TM) are almost standard electronic "wardrobe" these days and almost every vehicle on the roadways has either a CD player, cassette player, or both. Many newer vehicles also provide direct hookup for mobile/personal music players.

Multiple Audio Book Formats. Because audio books are readily available in a multitude of formats -- CD's, tapes, MP3/audio downloads, etc. -- there is almost no place we can physically be and NOT have a convenient means for listening to personal or professionals development material via audio.

When to Listen to Audio Books. Excellent times to listen to audio books include: (1) during your daily commute, (2) in your office over lunch, (3) during your morning or evening walk or run, (4) while exercising at your health club or fitness center, (5) while relaxing on the beach, (6) while waiting at the airport, (7) during air flight time, etc.

Consider the amount of time you spend doing all of the above over the course of a year, and you will quickly realize the scope of opportunity for listening to audio material -- it's truly significant.

Audio Book Material is Vast. Vast amounts of personal and professional development material is available in audio format from a variety of sources. Many bookstores have sections devoted to audio material. iTunes includes an excellent library of personal and professional development material. Audible.com is the industry leader in providing audio book content and is available via monthly subscription at a very low price point.

Your Personal Commitment. Challenge yourself to pick up some audio book material THIS WEEK and begin the habit of listening to that material during your weekly activities. You'll be amazed at what you can learn though such an approach.

We will outline and discuss the remaining lifelong learning habits in the next series of eZines.

The habit of continuous learning is a cornerstone habit of leadership development. How much time and effort do you devote on an ongoing basis to to your own personal and professional development? This week's eZine begins a series devoted to helping you instill the habit of lifelong learning.

The habit of continuous learning is a cornerstone habit of leadership development.

How much time and effort do you devote on an ongoing basis to to your own personal and professional development?

This week's eZine begins a series devoted to helping you instill the habit of lifelong learning.