In today’s fast paced, ever-changing business environment, finding inspiration can be challenging. And finding the time to seek inspiration can feel like trying to grab smoke.
Like many of my colleagues and friends, I’m sure you are constantly on the go and looking to squeeze the most out of every meeting, appointment, and conversation. With all the demands on our time, how can we maintain productivity while still learning, growing, and evolving into the best version of ourselves?
We need to make the time.
Like many, my commute normally included music or talk radio. Then one day, I turned off the radio and started listening to Podcasts. It’s amazing how much more fulfilling your daily commute can be when that time becomes productive. Being in business development, The Marketing Book Podcast by Douglas Burdett has been a regular on my playlist. Burdett interviews various authors to uncover the inspiration that led them to pen their latest business book. This podcast introduced me to an incredible array of authors and subjects that have helped me become a better marketer, business development manager, and leader in our organization. Realizing the importance of both professional and personal development, I’ve mixed in other podcasts such as Mike Rowe’s The Way I Heard It. You may recognize Mike Rowe from his hit TV show Dirty Jobs. Mike has an amazing way of telling a story that is funny, captivating, and insightful.
Podcasts quickly evolved to audiobooks. Even when I set aside time each day to read, it still seemed to take forever to finish a book. By combining the audio book and the printed version, I’ve “read” more books in the last 18 months than I have in the last five years! Regardless of the industry you serve, I’d highly recommend Setting the Table by Danny Meyer. Meyer’s focus is on the hospitality industry, but the lessons are easily applicable to any industry. Jeb Blount’s Fanatical Prospecting and Sales EQ are both excellent “reads” and will help anyone tasked with business development take their game to the next level. And, if you’d like to change how you look at the world, I’d suggest you pick up any of Malcolm Gladwell’s books!
For those days when books and podcasts aren’t cutting it, a potentially endless supply of inspiration can be found by listening to TED talks. One of my go-to apps is the TED app. The content is amazing and I think you’ll be hard pressed to find a topic that hasn’t been addressed from the TED stage.
If you would have told me two years ago that I’d be devouring three or four books (in various formats) a month, I wouldn’t have believed you. By realizing the need and want to be more productive, a subtle change of mindset was all it took to open a new chapter in my quest to be a life-long learner.
Share your favorite podcast with us on our Facebook. Better yet, tell us how you’ve become more productive!
