I always strive to learn new things so when I was invited to attend the recent 'coaching' conference at Leeds Metropolitan University, I took an evening out to indulge in my own self-development.
Aside from meeting up with friends, associates and former colleagues, it was good to listen and learn about a fascinating partnership between the university and Morrisons supermarket. To cut a long story short, the partnership was about how Morrisons was using sports coaching methods (and systems) to improve its performance. There's much more to the partnership so I do not want to do it a disservice however, what I really brought away from the evening's discussions was the need to remain open to new ideas and the concept of a 'growth mindset'.
Psychologist Carol Dweck has researched and documented the concept of a 'growth mindset' versus a 'fixed mindset'. What I interpreted about the growth mindset was that having a desire to achieve something and understanding that your own traits can be developed was a powerful component of being successful in business (and in sport). A fixed mindset is one where you know of your qualities, talents and abilities but perhaps do not have the drive or incentive to make best use of them. As I say, this was what I took away from the discussions.
Or, more succinctly, not sitting on your laurels! Having ability and talent is one thing but what you do with it is perhaps what distinguishes you from others. I'm not for one minute going to sign-up to the premise that everyone can achieve anything they want to if they put their minds to it ... sorry, I'm not a believer. But, this message about mindset reinforced in me that I need to work hard, that I should continue to have an interest in learning new things and that I need to maintain my desire to be the best in what I do. It's a simple life in the Andrews camp!
By coincidence, Mick Owen, Managing Editor of The Leisure Review, ... not sure if Mick is a friend, an associate or former colleague(!), sat next to me in the auditorium and as I wasn't able to attend the full conference programme, his article in the latest copy of TLR provides a suitable summary:
http://www.theleisurereview.co.uk/articles11/leedsmetconf.html
All in all, I came away with renewed vigour, reassurance and motivation to continue to carve my own little path in the world. I also had a pressing engagement with my late-night office to prepare for the training I was delivering the following day ... but that is another story about time management for another day!
I recently listened with great interest to a discussion about written skills and how children are being taught in schools. Apparently, formal business letter writing is no longer core to the curriculum and more 'social writing' is accepted. This was then confounded by the statement of the Prime Minister declaring that grammar and spelling would be brought back into the curriculum. I hadn't realised it had gone ... but it's 30 years since I was in that type of school lesson!
When you decide to do a blog you're all committed and ready to write. Then, work continues to be 'busy', and guess what? The priorities shift and the blog is no longer top of my list of things to do. 
Well, my 'office' last Friday was the top of Pen-y-ghent! I had a call arranged for 10.30 and as I'd had a nice early start, my call happened to coincide with me ascending the summit. I made the call in glorious sunshine looking south down the Pennine Way - it was a positive conversation and came out with some clear actions. I then made another call having received a voice message during my planned call at 10.30. Again, a very positive call - someone asking for information and advice - and I was able to provide accurate and relevant information to my caller. I packed my bag ... I'd had a snack ... and set off again for Plover Hill only to be 'stopped' again by another call. I sat on the side of the path as some bemused walkers strolled by, and, was able to provide the necessary information that the caller had requested. 
