Carpe Learning
When I was in graduate school I had to miss a day of class. Lectures were key to our classes so reading the text couldn’t make-up for a lost day. A classmate offered to tape the class and give me the tape so I accepted.
The classes were several hours so I had a lot of listening to do afterward. I listened to the tape while driving around running errands in the next few days – by the nature of my days I ended up listening to 5 – 15 minute chunks of the lecture all throughout the day. I remember being at a McDonald’s drive-through, stalling in a parking spot to hear the final points of a topic and just driving around with the tape playing.
When I showed up at the next class my classmates were amazed at how much I could contribute to the discussion about the lecture I had listened to on tape. I was too. I had never expereinced that kind of retention – I felt more prepared for that discussion than I had for any of the other sessions.
I am now working on a project in downtown Denver and take the bus. The memory of the taped graduate school lecture came to me Friday morning as I navigated my way down the icy sidewalk on the way to the bus stop…luckily it wasn’t too startling. Nevertheless, I realized I was missing a great opportunity for learning.
I got an iPod a few months ago for my photos and music. After Friday’s revolution I looked on iTunes and searched through their business Podcasts. I selected subscriptions from Harvard Business Review, BusinessWeek and a few other sources - all free. Now while walking to the bus stop, riding the bus or walking to the office I can be listening to the most up-to-date information in the business world.
Whether through an iPod, carrying magazines with you, saving webinars on your computer to watch on-demand or any other means, look for opportunities throughout the day to learn. Then seize them.
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