Once again, it's time to reflect on five of the things I've learned over the last month. Rapid Fire Learning is a special group of postings from those associated with Joyful Jubilant Learning. The premise is simple:
List five things you've learned throughout the month when you only have five days left in the month.
This is a great opportunity to reflect on your learning, to remain accountable to learning, and to renew your commitment to learning something new before the month ends. I had a great Rapid Fire Learning month in January. I'm grateful for the reminder that it brings for this month as well.
Blaine Collins jumpstarts this month's Rapid Fire Learning. I will add my five here:
1. I have become an avid Jott user. Jott is a free, online service that gives you a phone number to call and record a message (up to fifteen seconds). Then Jott will transcribe the message and send it to you as an email. This handy little program has become my new ToDo list while I'm on the road. It's better than leaving a message on my voicemail because they write out your message and send it to you through email. Learning question I considered: Is there a way to write myself a note without actually having to write it down?
2. My new favorite blog is indexed. The author (artist!) produces simple charts and graphs on an index card. The index card to the right came under the title: Life sure does come at you fast.
The index cards are witty and usually make a pretty accurate point about life's quirkier moments. Learning question I considered: How can you take complex truth and boil it down to the space on one side of an index card?
3. Exercising and working out with weights is, perhaps, the best thing I can do for myself. I am in my sixth week of working out at least 5 of 7 days a week. I have a schedule that I'm keeping to and I can already see a marked difference. I actually miss working out now. I've also coupled this with eating healthier (not fanatically, but I now eat in greater moderation). As a result, I feel a lot stronger, I look a lot stronger, and I feel better all around.
Ultimately, I'm learning that I simply need to do this as I get older in order to remain active and enjoy activities with my kids. Learning question I considered: How can you become and remain physically fit and active if you don't consistently work at it?
4. I've been studying the relationship between leading and communicating. This month, it was deeply impressed upon me that communication is the transmission of meaning, not simply data or information. With this in mind, I've been more aware of how much my attitudes, actions, and behaviors influence the disposition, opinion, mood, and mental state of my messages.
One of the resources that I spent time with was the monthly newsletter, Leading Effectively. This online newsletter is produced by the Center for Creative Leadership. Read Leading Effectively e-newsletter - February 2007 Issue. Learning question I considered: In what ways am I communicating my character as I attempt to communicate my message?
5. I learned that LinkedIn is a superb networking site that I am only scratching the surface of. I'm still learning all of the ins and outs of invitations, recommendations, and building connections. If you've had success with LinkedIn, I would love to hear what you've found useful. I would also like to join up with as many people as I can in an effort to better understand and implement the networking that LinkedIn promises. I've included the button form my LinkedIn profile below. Learning question I considered: Is there a MySpace or Facebook option for those in the professional community?
So what have you learned THIS month? I've answered all of my learning
questions. What about YOU? Leave your list below in the comments.
PS. If you haven't checked out Phil's Book, 
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