The Continual Learner

Greetings, fellow brand cell mates-
One of the foundations of my brand is that of continual learner, as I am certain it is with some of you.  I have this description of myself in several places, including Goodreads and Facebook, because it is accurate.  Remember that our brand goes nowhere if it is not authentic.  Your brand must line up exactly with who you really are or it is worthless.  It will disappear like a trailer park in a Category 5 hurricane the first time it is tested if it does not reflect who you are.

What does "continual learner" mean to me? An openness to ideas, developing new skill sets, learning new languages...exactly the type of flexibility employers are looking for in today's work landscape.  To this end, I have stumbled upon a great website that offers a true cornucopia of learning opportunities.  The website is Alison.  Besides being one of my favorite songs (by Elvis Costello), Alison produces learning videos, and provides a gateway to others.  And it is all FREE.  Although the site is advertisement heavy and can be a bit difficult to navigate, the course offerings are endless.  It also tracks your progress and offers a diploma upon completion.  I am currently taking a course in Social Media Marketing with Chris Farrell that is very engaging.

In addition to its own productions, Alison links to higher institutions of learning around the world for more FREE classes.  I am also brushing up on my French through the BBC; there are courses from MIT, Cornell, Harvard, Stanford...the list is long and filled with some of the best universities in the world.  You get to see the actual lectures for which students are paying $300 a credit hour.  Sometimes a complete syllabus is included, which has the prof's recommended reading, tests, etc.

If you are online looking for jobs, or playing games, or just surfing, take 20 minutes a day to take a class in whatever discipline you like.  It costs nothing except your time, and the results will be personally and perhaps professionally rewarding.  Plus, you get to add the authentic tag to your brand of continual learner.

Thanks for reading!
SH