What if the biggest barrier to your growth isn’t a lack of time or resources—but the habit of putting learning last?
Learning isn’t just about attending training sessions or collecting certifications—it’s about building a habit of curiosity and growth that fits into your daily rhythm.
The challenge? Making time for it.
Between meetings, deadlines, and life’s general chaos, prioritizing our own development often falls to the bottom of the list. But here’s the thing: learning isn’t something you find time for, it’s something you make time for. It requires intentionality, consistency, and a commitment to stretching your thinking. And let’s be honest—no one builds these habits alone. That’s where sharing resources and learning in a community come in.
In our recent Learning Rebels Coffee Chat, you all shared books, podcasts, tools, and other learning resources that have helped you grow. This conversation underscored a crucial point: learning isn’t just about what we consume—it’s about what we share, how we apply knowledge, and how we create space in our routines for continued development.
And here’s the thing—everyone carves out that space in their own way. That’s what makes our Coffee Chats so engaging!
As we gear up for our next Coffee Chat on Building a Habit of Continuous Learning, I’ve been thinking about how we all approach growth in our own way. Some of us swear by books and podcasts, while others pick things up through conversations, experiments, or just figuring things out. That’s what makes our Coffee Chats so engaging—we’re not just trading resources. We’re sharing real experiences, the stuff that actually helps us get better. It’s not about cramming more learning in; it’s about making it fit naturally into our lives.
And that brings me to an important point—building a habit of continuous learning isn’t just one thing; it’s a mix of different strategies and approaches that work together. It’s about making learning part of your daily rhythm, finding what works best for you, and using the right tools, communities, and practices to keep growing.
Let’s break it down.
Learning Is a Habit, Not an Event
It’s funny how we push our businesses to move beyond the outdated idea that learning is an event, yet we often treat our own development the same way—waiting for the next conference, quarterly training, or certification program to check the ‘learning’ box. But we all know that expertise isn’t built in isolated moments; it comes from embedding learning habits into our daily routines.
This starts with mindset:
- Viewing every challenge as an opportunity to learn something new.
- Making time for growth, even in the small minutes.
- Understanding that learning happens through action, not just consumption.
In the Coffee Chat about sharing resources, we discussed how organizing learning materials can remove friction and make learning more accessible. Tools like Notion, Raindrop, Feedly and GoodNotes were highlighted as ways to curate resources efficiently so that when you need them, they’re within reach.
The Power of Learning Communities and Resource Sharing
Solo learning can only take you so far. The real magic happens when we learn together—sharing insights, experiences, and tools that help us grow. Every time we come together in a Coffee Chat, we see this in action. A single resource—whether a book, a framework, or a podcast—can spark fresh ideas, shift perspectives, and unlock new strategies. These conversations remind us that we don’t have to figure everything out alone; we’re all learning, evolving, and refining our craft together.
Some standout recommendations from the Coffee Chat:
- Books: The Coaching Habit (Michael Bungay Stanier) for improving coaching conversations, Telling Ain’t Training (Harold Stolovitch) for instructional designers, and The One Thing (Gary Keller) for focusing on priorities.
- Podcasts: Learning Geeks, Coaching for Leaders, and The Curious Advantage—offering insights into L&D, leadership, and curiosity-driven learning.
- Tech Tools: Amazon Polly or Synthesia for AI-generated voiceovers, Liberating Structures for facilitating learning conversations, and TechSmith’s YouTube tutorials for upskilling in multimedia creation.
Every time we share what’s working for us, we help someone else push past a learning roadblock—and in return, we gain new perspectives and ideas ourselves. That’s the beauty of community-driven learning, and it’s exactly why our Coffee Chats thrive. They aren’t just about collecting resources; they’re about real conversations, shared experiences, and building a learning habit together.
Making Learning a Daily Practice
We tell ourselves we need hours of uninterrupted time to learn, but let’s be real—who has that? The key isn’t finding more time – it’s making learning fit naturally into what we already do. Learning happens in the small moments, whether it’s a quick podcast while commuting, jotting down reflections after a meeting, or experimenting with a new tool for fun.
Strategies discussed to make learning a habit:
- Start small: Take just five minutes over your morning coffee or while driving to listen to a podcast, read a quick article, or reflect on something new. Learning doesn’t have to be a big production—small, intentional moments add up over time.
- Use microlearning techniques: Break down content into digestible pieces—like summarizing an article into three key takeaways. Use NotebookLM to help you synthesize information into bite-sized bits.
- Leverage AI and automation: Tools like ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini can help you generate summaries, outlines, and content tailored to your learning needs.
- Find an accountability system: Whether it’s a peer learning group, a mentor, a good friend, or structured goal-setting, having someone to keep you on track makes a difference.
Overcoming Barriers to Continuous Learning
We all hit roadblocks when it comes to making learning a priority. The irony? We teach others how to navigate these challenges, yet we often find ourselves stuck in the same patterns. But just like we tell others, there are ways to work around these obstacles and make learning a natural part of our day.
- Lack of time: Prioritize learning like you would exercise—fit it into the schedule, even if it’s just a few minutes a day. Put learning into your calendar, if it’s in your calendar, there’s less of a likelihood of cancellation.
- Information overload: Curate resources using tools like Pocket or Raindrop and set aside specific times to review them.
- Staying motivated: Keep learning social! Engage in conversations, participate in community discussions, and apply what you learn in real-world scenarios. Keep coming to the Coffee Chats!
It’s Time to Build Your Learning Habit
Our next Coffee Chat will focus on Building a Habit of Continuous Learning—taking these ideas a step further and helping you structure a sustainable learning routine. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your approach, this is the perfect opportunity to collaborate and exchange ideas.
At the end of the day, learning isn’t just about checking off a box—it’s about staying open, curious, and connected. It’s about recognizing that growth doesn’t happen in isolation but through the ideas, insights, and stories we share. So, whether you’re diving into a new book, experimenting with a tool, or picking up a fresh perspective from a conversation, remember: every little step counts. And if something has helped you along the way, don’t keep it to yourself—because the best learning happens when we share it.
Learn More About Learning Rebels Solutions
Register for the next free Learning Rebels Coffee Chat!
See how Learning Rebels can help you achieve results that matter
