Dear Ellie,
With Christmas quickly approaching, I am pressed for time today so I just wanted to share one important thought for you to remember throughout your life.
I was prompted to share this with you because I just had my first “annual review” at my new job in Dallas and it went really well. One of the reasons I think it is going well is because I am intentionally learning about skills I can improve on, specifically my leadership skills.
So I wanted to share this thought with you:
Developing leadership skills, like most skills, requires a conscious choice to effectively learn them.
Daddy
Sure you’ll learn some things by default as you make your way through life. But with almost all things, you can shortcut that learning curve and get better at something faster by simply learning from other people’s mistakes and advice.
And the best way to do that is through reading and listening to audio books and sometimes watching informational videos from people who have already done what you want to accomplish. This doesn’t mean falling victim hucksters and charlatans promoting their next get rich scheme, but I am encouraging you to seek out information about things you want to learn about and not rely on formal school teaching to teach you everything.
Even though I’m a visual learning, I have really found audio books to be an incredible resource.
Any time you have a new skill set you want to learn, start by doing that type of work yourself. For example, if you want to be a master carpenter, start by making things with wood. Improve as you learn hands on, and by learning from others.
If you want to be a leader, volunteer to lead a groups of people for local activities & projects and then do another and another. Study leadership material during the same time period you’re doing the work. You’ll get the practical experience required to develop that skillset in real life and the book knowledge you need to quickly improve your skills in the shortest time possible.
This strategy works. Use it.
Tonight you’re going to see the Prairie Lights Christmas light display by your house. I hope you have tons of fun!
Love,
Daddy
P.S. Readers – Share with Ellie how you learned to do something better and faster by reading about it or learning from someone else.
P.P.S. Why can’t you hear a pterodactyl go to the bathroom? Because the pee is silent!
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dad @ startwithadollar.com