<p><strong>by Walter Bazan, Bazan Painting</strong></p>
<p>We all know the value of education. Too often each of us in our own way, while working within our own business in our own trades, sometimes tend to get a little pigeonholed. We tend to do things the same way, the way we&rsquo;ve always done it. Only branching out when a new product or equipment is introduced within our trade. And sometimes then we go kicking and screaming.</p>
<p>Each month there are at least 10-12 different trade journals that cross my desk or now even come to me via email. All of these have great articles with information that is both educational and worthwhile and even sometimes entertaining. Reading these materials is not a bad thing; in fact it is a good thing.</p>
<p>It&rsquo;s good for your business and it&rsquo;s good for you. But I wonder how many people read trade journals, newsletters or other resource material from places and people outside our own trade specific organizations. I recently picked up a <em>Hispanic Business Journal</em> and found it very interesting to read things from a different perspective.</p>
<p>My wife, who is a tennis coach, gets tennis and coaching newsletters. I regularly read through those finding interesting information about coaching and while we are all in business, we certainly are all coaches for our employees and our business associates. Or at the very<br />least, we are players in the same game.</p>
<p>I suggest that at least one-quarter of your reading material needs to come from outside our<br />&ldquo;comfort zone.&rdquo;</p>
<p>We&rsquo;ve all heard the expression &ldquo;think outside the box.&rdquo; My challenge for every one of us is to certainly think outside of your own box, but to also take a peak inside other people&rsquo;s box. I am sure you will gain new ideas and new perspectives that in the long run will be profitable for you.</p>