Published On: March 1, 2014By
Getting started - Independent learning tech analyst John Leh explains why he is starting the Talented Learning blog

When I told my wife my first Talented Learning blog post would be something involving the old quote “Journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,” she immediately quipped “That’s original.”

Lack of creativity on my first post is an ominous sign.  Starting a blog is no easy matter – I’ve been thinking about it for a decade.  Primarily, there is the fear standing in the way.  The fear that you don’t have anything original to say, the bigger fear that nobody will read it and the biggest fear that they might.   Then you get to thinking about the work that is going to be involved as you write your first post and it takes all day long.  During the stalling process, you find time to read all of Hemmingway’s short stories and byline articles for inspiration and you realize that you’re no Hemmingway.  Yep, the fear, the work and the fear sure get in the way.

I have no choice now though.  I’m a sucker for injustice.   The topic and field of study I love is being ignored, shunned and trivialized.  Millions of global extended enterprise learning and business professionals are starving for information, research, news, advice, best practices and have nowhere to go, nothing to advance, nada to show off, and no one to meet.  We’re going to carry the torch and be that place to go.

Anyway, in tribute to Lao Tzu, here are my favorite quotes for taking the first step, beginning a long journey and starting a blog.

#5:  “A journey is like a marriage.  The certain way to be wrong is to think you can control it” John Steinbeck.

#4:  “Everything is easy once you know how.”  Pop, Grandpop, Great Grandpop, Great, Great Grandpop Leh, etc.

#3:  “I think it’s my adventure, my trip, my journey, and I guess my attitude is, let the chips fall where they may.”  Leonard Nimoy

#2:   “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”  Dr. Martin Luther King

#1:  “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt.”  Mark Twain

Sorry Mark, I hear you, but here goes anyway. I hope the second step is easier.  Welcome to Talented Learning.  See you tomorrow.

 

Share This Post

About the Author: John Leh

John Leh is Founder, CEO and Lead Analyst at Talented Learning. He is a fiercely independent consultant, blogger, podcaster, speaker and educator who helps organizations select and implement learning technology strategies, primarily for extended enterprise applications. His advice is based upon 25+ years of learning industry experience, serving as a trusted LMS selection and sales adviser to hundreds of organizations with a total technology spend of $100+ million and growing. John is active on social media and is happy to connect with you on X/Twitter or on LinkedIn.

Related Posts

  • Complex CEU - What should continuing education providers understand about systems that support learning programs? Independent learning tech analyst John Leh explains

Under the Hood of Complex CEU Management

June 2, 2015|

With each incremental accrediting jurisdiction the problem compounds and becomes so complicated that many organizations can’t use a commercially available LMS to manage CEUs but rather are forced to cobble together spreadsheets, home-grown custom systems, specialized commercial CE trackers and manual processes to bridge the gap, connect the data and ensure compliance. 

  • Continuing Education Admin Nightmare - by independent learning technology analyst John Leh of Talented Learning

Intro to the Continuing Education Admin Nightmare

May 29, 2015|

In the accounting industry, most accounting firms set up a National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) license and grant continuing professional education (CPE) credit based on the NASBA standards, rather than maintain the complex CPE rules of each state

  • LinkedIn Learning and skills in workforce development programs

LinkedIn Learning and Workforce Development: Connecting Skills and Jobs

May 26, 2015|

The emphasis on the bridging “Skills Gap” has put new life into workforce development programs globally -- and no matter what size of a population you’re targeting, in a modern world, an online platform and delivery option has to be considered – gone are the days of just meeting with a counselor to develop a plan and then sit in a classroom.

  • LMS Review Brightwave Tessello

LMS Review: Brightwave Tessello

April 24, 2015|

Brightwave, with its innovative xAPI driven tessello learning system, focuses on managing the real-life balance of learning by doing (experiential), learning from others (social) and formal learning (old school).

  • LinkedIn Lynda acquisition - Is this move outfoxing others in the online learning market? Independent learning tech analyst John Leh explains

LinkedIn Outfoxes the Continuing Education World With Lynda.com Acquisition

April 14, 2015|

By collecting skill endorsements and recommendations from your network and posting content, comments, presentations, awards, articles, certifications and other relevant data, you create a historical profile of credibility that other users recognize and value – and more so every day with a growing base of more than 610 million LinkedIn users in more than 200 countries.

  • Learning systems vendors: Are you winning 100% of your LMS deals? Try improving your LMS demo skills with these tips from independent learning tech consultant John Leh

15 Tips to Up Your Demo Game and Win Rate: For LMS Vendors

March 14, 2015|

Many sales reps and solution architects take the demo step lightly because they have done the same presentation so many times that they think they have seen it all and know it all; as a result, they prep too little, make a vanilla impact with the customer and get lost in the herd of possible LMS solutions.

  • Talented Learning LMS Reviews: RISC VTA

LMS Review: RISC VTA

March 11, 2015|

This type of approach is consistent throughout the product and provides a lot of flexibility because you can approach an administrative problem from many angles to get, set and report on training the way you need it.

  • What kind of LMS social learning features should you expect in a modern LMS? Independent learning tech analyst John Leh explains

A Brief History of LMS Social Learning

February 17, 2015|

Those learning and development organizations that did try to launch the social LMS components found quickly that making social learning successful is much more difficult than buying it and turning it on.

STAY IN THE KNOW: GET OUR WEEKLY EMAIL UPDATE!

Office Hours for LMS Buyers - Free Webinar Series for 2026 with Learning tech analyst, John Leh
Free LMS Consult with John Leh
Customer LMS Buyers Guide
2025 Talented Learning Award Winners - Best LMSs

BLOG CATEGORIES

LMS Recommendation Service
Check out our new learning systems directory

CASE STUDY DIRECTORY

Talented Learning Case Study Directory
Submit LMS RFP Consult