It has been a while since my last blog post. In fact, it’s been so long that I had to have my password reset so I could login. I’ve had an exciting start to this year and a lot has been going on. But I’ll get to that.
A little over a year ago I had a stable job that was close to home and one that if I kept my head down and did what I was told, I could have been there for life. However, it wasn’t particularly challenging, the leadership was uninspiring and I wasn’t feeling satisfied with what I was doing. The thing that kept me going was the big wide world of people I’d discovered who existed beyond the confines of my organisation, thanks to social media. There were (and still are) big thinkers, idea challengers, problem solvers, self-promoters, experience sharers, community creators, industry leaders and what some have become – virtual friends.
Around this time I also scribbled down a few career goals as I needed to do something if I was going change my circumstances. I’d never been much of a goal setter, definitely not in a write-it-down-and-draw-up-an-action-plan kind of way. But I wrote them down and here they are (keep in mind that they’re eLearning related):
- Get a job with an eLearning company
- Do more ELH Challenges
- Become an Articulate Community Super Hero!
- Create a stronger eLearning community in Australia (this is a work in progress).
In terms of a plan, all I really did was jump in, join in twitter chats, read other people’s blogs, comment from time-to-time, share what I found interesting, connect and follow others, look at what others who’d been around for while did and copy them and start my own blog (which itself has evolved into this site). What did that do for me? Apart from learning lots, it got me noticed. In a good way. I wasn’t particularly special but I was visible and that was an advantage I had of most others in the learning field.
By the end of last year I had achieved three of my four goals (the top three) just by being involved and getting noticed. Doors and opportunities opened up that wouldn’t have been possible if I didn’t change my career trajectory. In my new eLearning role at a great company, I’m able work from home with one day a week in the office. I’m back into eLearning development which has (and continues to) sharpen my skills. I now get to travel to different parts of Australia to teach others how to use Articulate Storyline and I also now look after our Master eLearning Course helping others to learn how to create great eLearning. I’m also encouraged, yes encouraged, to be active on social media and in various communities both physical and online.
Due to these changes I’ve been busy, hence the lack of blogging (I do have a notebook that contains many half-baked ideas). My perspective of others working in the eLearning industry has evolved because while I’m working in one organisation, I’m interacting with people working at the coal-face. I now hear about the challenges people face within their own organisations and have a better understanding for where they need to build their skills. Generally speaking, the focus needs to shift from ‘This is what you should be doing’ to ‘This is how you do this’.
For myself, new skill sets are emerging – public speaking, webinar delivery, resource creation and curation. I guess these will become my new goals. Finding time can be hard but I need to make time and be more disciplined with using my time effectively.
So, as my career has evolved so too has my thinking. I know this will continue. I have many ideas planned I just need to make them happen. I’ll probably need you to be involved too…..
Image source: shutterstock.com
Comments
16 responses to “Evolution”
Love your update, Matt! Congratulations on so many wonderful (and well-deserved) things that have come your way and that continue to evolve. I think your unique combination of keen curiosity about – and interest in – the elearning field paired with your generosity and interest in helping others makes you a shoo-in to achieve anything you’d like.
And I’d be happy to help if I can. 🙂
Thanks for your kind words Jackie. You’ve been one of the people who I’ve learned so much from along the way in both your eLearning knowledge and the example you set. I’ll be in touch soon with a couple of ideas 🙂
Yay! Keep me posted!
Congratulations on following your dreams and plan.
Thanks Derek!
Thanks for sharing, Matt. Wonderfully inspiring to read of your growth, dreams and transition to a new stage in your life. Wishing you all the best!
Thanks Kim! Hope all is well with you too!
Thanks for updating this – I’ve just started my career in e-learning and I’m hoping it’ll lead to great things. I’m going to write a list of things I want to achieve over the next year 🙂
Thanks Helen and all the best for your eLearning career. If I can be of any help please let me know 🙂
Great post Matt. I appreciate the help you have provided so far with the MEC. I used to be a presentations skills coach so holler if I can help you in return!
Next thing you know you’ll be sharing our secret handshake 😉
Well deserved Matt! I’m happy to call you a fellow Articulate Super Hero. Keep doing what you’re doing and keep evolving.
Reminder for everyone!
“If you put in the time, you’ll make the dime!”
I’ll never share the secret handshake!! 😉
Thanks for your comments Jeff, you’ve been a terrific example to follow. I like your quote too.
Fantastic reminder of the importance of goal setting and being visibly involved. You’ve done an amazing job opening doors simply by sharing openly and helping others.
Congrats on a huge year, Matt. I’m looking forward to checking back in a year to hear about all the new goals you’ve achieved.
But first, I should really write down a few of my own goals…
Thanks David! Seeing you and Tom in Sydney was a real turning point for me in that it sparked my enthusiasm for wanting to build better eLearning and help others as well. There’s lots of great people and communities out there – especially ELH – that have helped me so I’m happy to give back in any way I can.
Fantastic work, Matt. You are definitely pursing your dreams successfully. I have learnt a lot from you and enjoyed the Articulate user group session. Thanks for your inspiration.
Thanks for your comments Margaret! I’ll look to organise another Articulate session soon 🙂