A Year of Learning — Our 2024 Theme
When I launched my professional career, I had an attitude. I’d inwardly roll my eyes when asked to do things I didn’t believe would lead to direct results, such as a PR hit or sale. This became a problem when I briefly switched from PR to real estate, since continuing education was required to maintain a license. During these classes, I’d sit in the back of the classroom, twiddling my thumbs or working on something else.
Yet, in school I was a pretty good student. I had my challenges, but I worked very hard. So hard, in fact, that I was labeled the Study Brat because I chose the dorkiest sorority position of all. As Study Hall Chair, I’d drag my fun-loving friends with bad grades to the library every other night.
Possibly it’s just that my learning bucket was full after graduating.
Doing Everything with Purpose, Even Learning
That is, until I started noticing what MJ Steen, the number one realtor in Multnomah County, did throughout the day. She did everything, and I mean everything, with purpose — from her dogged negotiations, to her meticulous files, down to her seat selection in the classroom — always poised, ready to take notes, attention rapt.
She approached it all like it was the most important thing. And in reality, it was the most important thing to her in that very moment. Since she was stuck doing it, why not make the most out of it?
After a while, I realized this is the way to be in all instances. Whatever you are doing right at that moment is the most important thing, because you are doing it, right now. So, I told myself that if I had to take a class, I might as well take advantage of it.
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Making the Most out of Everything
This mindset evolved as I went back into marketing. Not only would I learn about how to be a better marketer from various professional events, my notes would transform into magazine articles, press release quotes, blog posts, etc. Even more than Nora Ephron’s infamous idea that “everything is copy,” my copy would be pitched out for earned media.
Today, I’m taking it one step further. There’s always been the opportunity to learn, but technology makes this more true today than ever. What started with everyone learning about digital marketing has morphed into everyone trying to game AI, which I am bringing into my second book. As I added my own SEO research to the SEO chapter, I could have just kept researching and writing on that topic. And now, as I turn my focus towards AI, I’m expecting the same thing to happen as I research and draft the “AI in PR” chapter.
What Will You Learn in 2024?
To keep this zest for learning alive, my newly appointed Senior Account Executive, Cailyn Tegel, and I have dubbed 2024 as our “Year of Learning.” We’ll intentionally deepen our knowledge of content, SEO, PR, AI and public speaking, along with anything else that catches our fancy.
How about you? What are you looking to improve or learn in 2024? Or, if your learning bucket is currently full, what’s your yearly theme?
A Results-Focused Strategic Marketing Executive | Deep Experience Leading Aggressive Marketing Programs | Operations Manager, Public Speaker & Conference Presenter
10moPredictive analytics…let’s go!
Communications Strategist | LinkedIn Learning Instructor | Speaker + Trainer | Media + AI Innovator | Visibility Expert | Communications Director at For Goodness Sakes| #VisibilityIsPower ™️
10moI love this Amy Rosenberg. My theme for this year is all about embracing quality over quantity. I'm dedicated to gaining more knowledge through reading and making the most of what I already have.