Your Professional Development Is Now Your Problem

Here's something that happens gradually when you run your own business: your professional development falls apart.

Not all at once. In the beginning, you're learning constantly — out of necessity. Everything is new. But after a few years, the learning gets scattered. You listen to a podcast episode someone recommended. You watch a YouTube video that pops up in your feed. You tell yourself you'll take that course eventually.

But there's no plan. No intention behind it. You're consuming content, but you're not really growing. And because there's no one handing you a development plan the way corporate America used to, it's easy to let years go by without ever sitting down and asking: what do I actually need to learn right now?

That's where I was. I've always been a learner — that's never been the issue. But my learning got reactive instead of intentional. I was grabbing whatever crossed my path instead of choosing what would actually help me grow.

So this year, I decided to formalize it again. I built what I'm calling Saturday Learning Sessions — a simple structure that turned my scattered learning habit into something that actually moves me forward. And it's become one of my favorite parts of my week.

I'm not starting from zero here. I've been learning on my own for 16 years. But there's a big difference between "I learn stuff sometimes" and "I have a system for growing." I had the first one. I lost touch with the second one. 

So a few months ago, I sat down and built this. I'm still refining it. But the structure is working, and I want to share exactly what I'm doing.

I didn't want my entire learning experience to happen behind a computer screen. I wanted to get out, be around people, and remember that there's a world beyond my home office.

So I looked for events planned this year in my city or within driving distance. They don't need to be expensive. A free TEDx talk counts. Showing up at a conference, even just for the day, counts. A local business networking event counts. I'm targeting two events this year. Just two. Enough to get out of my bubble without it becoming another overwhelming commitment.

I decided I'm learning through two channels only: podcasts and YouTube. No online courses right now. No books I won't finish. No webinars I'll register for and skip.

Podcasts work for me because I listen during my morning walks, which supports my health routine at the same time. YouTube works because I can watch videos during lunch or downtime. I want this to feel less like work and more like a fun way to help me grow.

Then I picked four categories that matter to me right now: marketing and entrepreneurship, retirement planning, mental health and wellness, and daily morning inspiration. Your categories will be different — that's the point. Pick what's important to YOU this year, not what some influencer says you should be learning.

I started with a list of podcasters and YouTubers I already follow and enjoy. Then I asked AI to find me more people like them — specifically, people who talk about small businesses, not corporations, content from women of color, ideas that are research-based, and voices that match where I am in my journey.

AI gave me a solid list. But I didn't just subscribe to everyone and hope for the best. I gave myself two weeks to test the new people. I listened to a few episodes, watched a few videos, and removed anyone who didn't resonate.

I'm not trying to follow the popular folks. I want people who speak my language and can help me where I am. The list has to be tested.

This isn't school. This is enrichment. So finding your people matters more than following the "right" people.

During the week, if something interesting crosses my path — a video someone shares, a recommended podcast episode — I add it to my Watch Later list. I don't stop what I'm doing to consume it right then. 

On Saturday, I sit down and decide: does this go into my custom playlist as a regular follow, or is it a one-off? Two channels, a curated list, one dedicated morning. That’s my system. 

The whole point of this system is to REDUCE the overwhelm, not create more of it.

Build the start of your own learning plan:

Pick your two learning channels. Where do you actually enjoy consuming content? Podcasts? YouTube? Audiobooks? Newsletters? Pick two, max. 

Write down 3–4 categories you want to grow in this year. Not what you think you SHOULD learn. What you actually want to get better at right now.

List 5 people you already follow who teach in those categories. Then ask ChatGPT or Claude: "Find me more people like [names] who focus on [your categories]." Tell it what matters to you — small business focus, your demographic, research-based, whatever.

Give yourself two weeks to test the new recommendations. Remove anyone who doesn't keep your interest. No guilt. This is enrichment, not homework.

Reply and tell me: what are your learning categories this year? I'm curious what matters most to you right now.

Tired of reading? This feels fitting — go listen to one of the podcasts or channels you already follow. Consider it your first Saturday Learning Session of the week.

Or if you need a suggestion: Thaisa Fernandes is a tech program manager who spent years dreaming about writing a cookbook before she finally made it happen. Her story about balancing a career with a creative project, and what it took to stop postponing and actually build something, is exactly the kind of Saturday morning learning this email is about.

Take care of yourself this week. Seriously.

— Stephanie

PS: Last issue, I shared the four admin automations that gave me half a day back — invoicing on Mondays, auto-pay for recurring clients, simplified packages, and scheduling tools. If you set up even one of them, I want to hear about it. Reply and tell me which one you tackled.