So much to learn, so little time.
A 2×2 Matrix to Help You Prioritize the Skills to Learn Right Now
And decide which to put off for later.
September 27, 2017
Summary.
The modern worker has very little time for learning, and yet continuous learning is vital for anyone who wants to maintain their edge. There’s a significant pressure on us all to learn the right stuff, but how do we identify what that is? A time-utility analysis can help you decide what to prioritize. By examining how useful a skill should be, and how much time it would take you to learn, you can plot various skills on a 2×2 matrix: stuff that’s easy to learn and really useful is a clear quick win, while you’ll have to carve out more time for useful skills that take some time to learn. And for those truly useless things? Think about how much time you can afford to invest in them, and then learn as you can — or just move on with your life.
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New!
HBR Learning
Career Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Career Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
What's your next career move? Learn how to set yourself up for success.