“If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.”

I’ve seen this quote attributed to many different people online so I don’t know where it originated, but it so powerful and so true. 

I have always been a super nerd and I say that as a positive thing. I love to read and learn and explore new things. My favorite thing to do when I lived in a big city was walk around to museums. I worked at an online education company and maxed out the number of free courses that I was able to take. 

When I was struggling with something, I didn’t back down or ignore it, I took an online class to learn more about it. As a writer and as a business owner, I want to be the best that I can be and I know that the person that I am now, is not even close to being the best. 

You will hear so many successful authors and entrepreneurs reiterate growth and development as one of the keys to their success. But what does that look like? It can be taking a writing seminar at a local community college, reading a book (pretty obvious recommendation from me), it can be signing up for an online course, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, or it can be going to a networking event. I have learned so much from attending regular networking events or listening to podcasts about businesses that are nothing like mine, but the strategies are still applicable.

This past year I was gifted an unlimited membership to Masterclass and I’ve been able to study with Margaret Atwood, my IDOL! I was able to learn from Dan Brown. I have so much more studying to do with that program and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

In terms of podcasts that I love: I’ve mentioned a few previously but I will give Joanna Penn and The Creative Penn Podcast a call out, I always learn something new when I listen to her show. The same goes for Nick Loper and the Side Hustle Show. Every once in a while there is an author on the show, but every week there are excellent strategies presented.

Listening to audio books has also been a massive help for me. My research for my latest novel would have taken twice as long if I hadn’t been able to plug in an audiobook in the car. Audible is the go-to source for audiobooks but you can also get them from your library.

In terms of person to person networking and learning, The Rising Tide Society has been amazing, it is free to attend, and the people I have met and engaged with have been amazing. This group is focused towards helping creative entrepreneurs, which as an author, I am!

I also recently signed up for Gold City Ventures, they offer a 3-track online course for entrepreneurs in blogging, freelancing, and building a business on Etsy. I found so much helpful information in this course. 

What have you been doing to continue learning? If its been a while, what is one thing you can do this week to start learning something new?

There are affiliate links in this post, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will be compensated if you click through and take action.