Training is something that is not usually considered to be an enjoyable part of a person’s journey in life, rather it is looked on as a necessary part of a job or commitment. Training should be looked at as an opportunity to grow, not only in your knowledge but also in your wisdom. Every time I attend a training, even when the content is not what I would choose to participate in, I always look for the hidden opportunity that is there to improve myself. When the speaker talks, I listen for how he or she communicates, I watch to see if their body language is congruent with the message, and I also look for the little gems of wisdom that every speaker brings to a presentation. Now as far as the topic of the training, there should always be the opportunity to learn something new. It is said that if you are the smartest person in the room, you need to go to a different room. Don’t take this saying to heart too quickly because, if you were the smartest person in the room during a training, maybe you would be presenting rather than participating.

Every day we should focus on learning something new and interesting that we did not know previously. You never know when a teachable moment may arise, so be prepared to take the notes and glean the wisdom that is delivered and put it to use in your life. Ask yourself, would I be where I am today had it not been for some sort of training along the way? Is the training that I have already received going to take me to where I want to be tomorrow? I don’t know where I heard this little quip, but I try to keep it in mind whenever I am interacting with others, “If you talk, you only repeat what you already know, but if you listen, you will learn that which you do not know.” Training is the perfect opportunity to listen and learn that which you do not already know.