Internal Auditors are expected to provide advice on best practices, consulting services, and opinions on a wide range of issues. To be able to do so and achieve the status of a "Trusted Adviser", I believe they need to learn new things on daily basis! And "by new things", I am not only referring to necessary technical knowledge, but to any other useful piece of information. Such information may prove to be useful to them in providing their services and/or as a door opener in establishing relationships with their customers. Not to mention, improving their business acumen.
Don't confuse this with continuous professional education (CPE), these are two different things!
Don't confuse this with continuous professional education (CPE), these are two different things!
I have been literally doing just that (learning a new thing every day) for a long time. I would like to think this approach has helped shape who I am today. Needless to say, modern technology has made it much easier to achieve this goal compared to the past!
What Did I Learn Today?
It is very simple and basic: I have learned the difference between " what did you learn today" and "what have you learned today"! I was debating which sentence is more appropriate to use. I have learned that both sentences are grammatically correct. The former is past simple and the latter is present perfect. This is useful information for someone whose English is a second language like myself and for improving my vocabulary & communication skills!
Why Learn New Things?
An article published on Lifehack.org lists the following benefits :
- Learning across a wide range of subjects gives us a range of perspectives to call on in our own narrow day-to-day areas of specialization.
- Learning helps us more easily and readily adapt to new situations.
- A broad knowledge of unfamiliar situations feeds innovation by inspiring us to think creatively and providing examples to follow.
- Learning deepens our character and makes us more inspiring to those around us.
- Learning makes us more confident.
- Learning instills an understanding of the historical, social, and natural processes that impact and limit our lives.
Practical Approach to Everyday Learning!
- First and foremost, you need to have the will and commitment to learn! Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way!
- Chose the right information source. Social media does not necessarily provide correct and accurate information!
- Pay attention! You will be surprised how much you can learn by paying attention to people and your surroundings.
- Be curious. Albert Einstein once said, "I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious".
- Combine entertainment with learning! I often find myself googling a word, a term, or a piece of information I have heard while watching my favorite TV show or reading a fiction book!
- Make reading part of your daily ritual. Joseph Addison said," Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body ".
- If you are a disciplined person, set aside a specific time of the day for quick learning ( i.e. first thing in the morning, bedtime, during commute, or during breaks).
- Don't be shy or embarrassed to learn from younger people. I still learn a lot from my children!
- Make your smartphone work for you. Set up an alert for your topic of interest to keep you up-to-date.
Do You Have The Time?
Absolutely! There is no excuse for not learning a simple thing a day. It only takes a few minutes, this is equivalent to one social media status update!
So, What have you learned today?
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