I began my career as a chartered accountant with Arthur Andersen and Co. Their graduate training scheme was intense and far exceeded that of any other professional firm at the time.

It began with a month long classroom based Basic Accounting Course which was the foundation for everything I have subsequently learned. Armed with the knowledge I gained on that course, I have been able to develop my skills as a chartered accountant.

A few years later, I wrote updates to the course material and was asked to teach it to new graduate intakes for several years.

In my coaching practice, I now use this experience to good effect. It is often overlooked, but all growth starts with an investment in acquiring knowledge and then applying that knowledge to develop your skills.

Whatever unpredictable events occur that may adversely impact you such as a technical innovation, losing a job or a business failure they can never remove your knowledge or cause you to unlearn your skills.

And given the pace of change, we are experiencing it is vital to continue to acquire knowledge. Be curious. Shed any limiting beliefs and embrace the fact that the best investment you can ever make is an investment in yourself.

I didn’t appreciate at the time how much I would come to owe to that month long course 50 years ago.