Our latest issue’s cover story might be one you want to bookmark and share with your team, as we provide the best tech options for your business. These are not complicated software programs, but solutions that come highly recommended by your fellow travel advisors. And they will save you valuable time when dealing with a range of business challenges.
But perhaps the biggest obstacle to the tech tools we feature here — and with technology in general — is getting over the idea that spending time learning a new skill is not worth the initial effort. Experts call this the “procrastination due to perceived learning barrier” effect. It happens when you tell yourself, “I’m too busy to research that new time-saving tool,” which leads to being even busier and having even less time.
I have seen many instances where a colleague decides they are too busy to learn a new system or tool, and what invariably happens is that they put it off so long, it becomes an even bigger obstacle to their progress. In some cases, the technology becomes industry standard, and they suddenly feel hopelessly behind the times.
Try setting aside a couple of hours each week for researching and testing new technologies.
Instead, try setting aside a couple of hours each week for researching and testing new technologies. Break it up into small doses — an hour here, an hour there — if that helps. And be realistic about your goals: Do not set out to be an expert right away; instead, be satisfied by learning the basics before clicking on the “advanced settings.” Finally, reward yourself by doing something satisfying with the time you save once you get up and running.
January seems like the perfect time to resolve to begin a process of learning something new, so have at it. And send us an email (at letters@travelagewest.com) to let us know which of these tech tools became your favorite.
