Self-development is a funny word, we all talk about it, aspire to do it, and more often than not, forget to get around to doing it. Self-development in marketing can be a bigger hurdle. The unopened books around the office can attest to this.
Why Do We Need Self-Development in Marketing?
First off, let’s talk about self-development. Marketing is an ever-changing field, with new tools, trends, and techniques popping up all the time. If we don’t keep learning, we risk falling behind. Here’s why self-development is so crucial (and not just a clever way to waste company time).
If you’ve been taking note of some of history’s greatest humans, for example Nobel Prize winner Sheldon Cooper from the Big Bang Theory, you’ll notice that for the most part, they never seemed to be doing anything visibly constructive.
Best selling Author, Austin Kleon, who refers to himself as a “writer who draws” is also famed for having shared this advice, and he’s not wrong:
So in brief, here’s what you need to shake off the routine, go to the local museum in the middle of the day and stare at a Picasso for an hour, eat lunch in a different spot, work from a new location, go explore your local area (and turn off your phone)… and so on:
Why should you invest in your self-development (in short)?
1. To Stay Relevant The marketing landscape is changing rapidly. It can be rather bothersome tbh. What worked a year ago might not work today. What worked at your previous company may not work for your new company. By investing in self-development, you stay on top of the latest trends and technologies. This keeps your skills sharp and your strategies effective. But remember, staying relevant is more than mindlessly scrolling through “advice” on LinkedIn or marketing “trends” on TikTok. It’s about developing a high self-awareness of your strengths and weaknesses… and then proactively building on them.
2. For Personal Growth Learning new skills and gaining knowledge boosts your confidence and opens up new career opportunities (and this doesn’t have to mean quitting your job). Whether it’s mastering a new technology or understanding data analytics better, every bit of learning adds value to your professional toolkit. Hands up if you still have your Second Life account from the 2000s….
3. Creativity Boost Self-development, more often than not, leads to new ideas. When you expose yourself to different perspectives and knowledge areas, it sparks creativity. This can lead to innovative marketing campaigns that stand out from the crowd. While ebooks and podcast are fantastic, you may want to consider buying the physical book. That way you can (book lovers close your eyes) – fold page corners, highlight sentences…. rip out pages and stick them on your wall, make notes as you go along, doodle in the margins. Whatever does it for you, make the experience interesting and the content memorable. This isn’t homework.
If you want to embrace the art of writing in books, then check out this article (not ours) from Craft Your Content – ‘How To Write in Books To Become a Better Thinker’.
I am all for defacing books you love. Dog ears. Spine creases. Underlines. Highlights. Margin notes. Doodles. Whatever. It’s graffiti of the soul. Books aren’t sculptures in MOMA. Books are defaced trees. They are there to be touched and scrawled on and interacted with and loved. Matt Haig, British Author, May 2018.
Breaking Routine
Now, let’s dive into the routine part. Routines can be comforting and efficient, as humans we are obsessed with them, but they can also become ruts. Here’s why it’s essential to break free from them now and then:
1. Fresh Perspectives
Doing the same thing day in and day out can limit your thinking. Trying something new, even something unrelated to marketing, can give you a fresh perspective. This can translate into more creative and effective marketing strategies.
2. Avoiding Burnout It’s the buzz-word of the decade but it’s true. Our minds have a tendency to become auto-pilot hamster wheels. Routines can sometimes lead to burnout. Changing things up can keep your work exciting and prevent you from feeling stuck. Whether it’s changing your work environment or trying a new approach to a project, a little variety can make a big difference.
3. Adaptability
The ability to adapt is crucial in marketing. Breaking your routine helps you become more flexible and open to change. This is an invaluable skill when the market shifts or new trends emerge.
How to Get Started On Your Self-Development and Routine Breaking
So, how do you start developing yourself and breaking your routine? Here are a few tips:
1. Read and Listen
Books, blogs, podcasts – there’s a wealth of information out there. Make a habit of reading industry news, listening to marketing podcasts, or even exploring topics outside your field to broaden your perspective. Also, read things you would never normally read. Articles about robots, podcasts about the invention of bar codes, opinion pieces on why aliens exist.
2. Take Courses
There are countless online courses available on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning. Whether it’s a deep dive into SEO or a course on graphic design, these can provide valuable new skills. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with options, so start by breaking out the courses into “things that will directly help me in my career” and “things I’ve always been interested in”. That way you can balance a video course on ‘SEO fundamentals’ with ‘how to write a movie in a day’, for example.
3. Network
Join marketing groups on social media, attend webinars, and, we can not stress this enough go to industry events. Networking with other professionals can provide new insights and inspiration and it’s a whole lot better than sitting among a load of faceless people on a video webinar.
4. Experiment
Try new things in your work. Run a different type of campaign, use a new tool, or approach a project from a different angle, or try imagining the solution from the beginning. Even if it doesn’t always work out, you’ll learn something valuable. Just don’t go wild, we’re fairly sure the CEO doesn’t want you using the marketing budget on an immersive ad within Fortnite… or maybe they do..
5. Reflect and Adjust
Take time to reflect on what you’re doing and how it’s working. Are there areas where you feel stagnant? Are there skills you wish you had? Use this reflection to guide your self-development efforts.
And above all… enjoy it! Life is too short to be investing time doing things you don’t enjoy.