What do you do if you're struggling to balance time and prioritize learning in technological innovation?

It’s important to prioritize learning initiatives that align closely with your strategic business goals. For instance, if your bank is looking to enhance its mobile banking services, focus on technologies and skills directly related to mobile app development, user experience design, and cybersecurity. From my experience in technological innovation in the financial industry, the key is to integrate learning with day-to-day operations. In banking innovations often, we leverage on-the-job training where possible. This means implementing new technologies in a phased approach, allowing staff to learn incrementally and apply their knowledge directly.

When struggling to balance time and prioritize learning in technological innovation, it's essential to first assess your current commitments and available time. Then, break down your learning goals into manageable tasks and allocate specific time slots for them. Utilize tools like calendars or task management apps to stay organized and track your progress. Additionally, seek out resources such as online courses, tutorials, or professional networks to support your learning journey. Regularly review and adjust your goals based on your progress and evolving interests to stay focused and motivated.

well , this is a tricky one... sometime the goal is not clear since it might be different by the type of innovation. i will suggest to start with a very wide understanding of the topic, and plan deep dives on specific areas. try to set goals on every goal based on your past experience with yourself ( are you a self learner ? do you spend time in looking for materials ? ) use learning platforms to take examples from course agenda's it is very helpful to collect list of relevant topics. be transparent with yourself - on the progress

Most of the time, we struggle due to poor planning or uncertainty. Proper planning helps set goals, consider guardrails, and take effective actions. When learning new technological innovations, identify interests like robotics, packaging, AI, etc. Then, specify information sought: emerging technologies, creators, and impacts. Create a clear weekly or monthly plan for steps like studying new technologies, reading articles. This reduces anxiety and prevents overburdening.

Incorporating learning into your daily routine requires intentional planning and consistency. Start by identifying pockets of time throughout your day, such as during commutes, breaks, or before bed. Utilize these moments to engage in bite-sized learning activities, like listening to podcasts, reading articles, or watching educational videos. Additionally, consider setting aside dedicated blocks of time for deeper learning sessions, where you can focus on more intensive activities like coding exercises or online courses. By making learning a regular part of your routine, you can gradually build new skills and knowledge while balancing other priorities.

Online training platforms like EdX, Coursera, and Udemy offer plenty of courses related to innovation at an affordable price. What I particularly like are the ones offered by high-tier universities such as Harvard or Yale. They are structured in a bite-sized format, with courses generally ranging between 4-8 weeks, and 2-3 hours of training suffice to finish them. The good news is you can do it at your own pace and time! You get to know other course participants, have peer-graded assignments, and participate in community chat groups for brainstorming. Make use of them.

When I felt lost after finishing my degree in materials science, I found my PhD supervisor who guided me. When he died, I found other professors who supervised me to finish it successfully. When I felt lost after my PhD in innovation, I found mentors who guided me. When I applied to my first innovation-related professional role, great mentors, friends who walked in my shoes helped me. When I moved into my second role in tech transfer, a great coach helped me to set my boundaries and move on with my passion. When I felt like incapable, my amazing line manager helped me to push my boundaries and show that I can excel in the Open Innovation consulting career. Do not underestimate the power of mentors and communities.

Join online forums, discussion groups, or social media communities related to your area of interest. These platforms provide opportunities to ask questions, share resources, and connect with fellow learners and experts.

Take advantage of short pockets of time throughout your day for quick bursts of learning. Utilize online resources like podcasts, short video tutorials, or bite-sized online courses.

Consider hiring a coach or joining a coaching program specifically tailored to your learning goals and needs. A coach can provide accountability, motivation, and personalized support to help you achieve your objectives more effectively.