In my last blog, Are You Prioritizing Professional Goals?, I provided an update on my professional development progress this year and how I concluded 2023. I want to offer another perspective on professional development.
Often, we talk about all the new books and podcasts we’re engaging with. However, it’s important to remember that it doesn’t always have to be about the newest materials. Revisiting some of the classics, or our personal favorites from which we’ve learned a lot, can be incredibly rewarding and valuable.
Why is that? The words on the page haven’t changed. What has changed is how I read the book, how I absorb the information and my perspective. I’ve evolved, allowing new meanings to emerge from the same words as I reread them. Revisiting past content is something I do frequently and did in 2023 as well.
Part of my strategy when I discover a particularly insightful book is to create a book summary. Whether it’s a hardcover or on Kindle, I highlight important points and compile these highlights into a summary. I don’t just keep the book; I turn it into a Word document and store it in a file.
I often revisit these highlights to remind myself of the key takeaways. This process helps remind us of what we’ve learned and ensures we’re applying that knowledge. Sometimes, being in a different place in life means the topics or the advice in the books impact me in new or stronger ways than before.
So, as you think about your personal and professional development in 2024, remember it’s not always about seeking out the new. Sometimes, it’s about revisiting and implementing what you’ve already learned. I’d love to hear about your favorite books that you’re going back to reread, as I’m always on the lookout for great material.
