If you’ve ever heard the phrase, "I just don’t have time for training" you are not alone. It’s a common objection from busy professionals who are juggling countless responsibilities along with an endless stream of shifting priorities. But here’s the thing—when training is done right, people will not only find the time for it, they will actually look forward to it.
Let’s explore why this objection comes up and how you can help your colleagues overcome it.
1. Outdated Perceptions: Training is Boring, Ineffective, and Impractical
When people say they don’t have time for training, what they often mean is that they don’t see the value in it. Their point of reference might be past experiences with training that was poorly paced, dull, or didn’t offer anything they could use in the real world.
We’ve all been there, and we can recall the times we spent sitting through a mandatory session that felt like a waste of time. These experiences can leave a lasting impression, making even the mention of training something to dread.
But training doesn’t have to be this way. When designed with the learner in mind, it is dynamic, engaging, and directly applicable to the challenges people face in their daily work. When participants see the benefits first-hand, they’re more likely to embrace it. So, be sure your training designs and descriptions emphasize engagement and make a direct link between the outcomes and the participant’s priorities or goals.
2. The Key to Engagement: Proof of Results, Engaging Content, and Immediate Impact
People make time for what they see as valuable. If a training program can demonstrate fast, tangible results that participants can apply immediately, the “no time” excuse quickly fades away.
Consider this: If you knew that investing just an hour in a training session would save you several hours of work down the line, wouldn’t you make the time?
Effective training is not just about delivering information; it’s about creating an experience that resonates with the participants. Engaging content that speaks directly to their needs and offers practical solutions they can implement right away makes all the difference.
3. Communication Is Key: Creating Buy-In Through Tailored Approaches
The way we communicate training to participants matters immensely. When people are simply told to show up for mandatory training, they often resist. Let’s face it—adults don’t like being told what to do.
Instead of mandating attendance, a better approach is to create buy-in from the start. We collaborate with our clients to tailor training programs to the specific needs of their teams, ensuring that what we deliver is not just relevant, but valuable.
We achieve this by engaging with participants before the training even begins. Pre-surveys and pre-calls with future participants provide us with first-hand accounts of their goals, challenges, and important nuances. This “deep dive” shows up in the training program in the form of customized examples and discussions. These meetings also give us an opportunity to highlight the benefits they will gain from the training—whether it’s improving efficiency, learning new skills, or achieving better results in their roles.
By focusing on the value and relevance of the training, we shift the perception from “another task on the to-do list” to an opportunity for growth and improvement.
Overcoming the “no time for training” objection isn’t about finding more hours in the day or breaking every training into tiny bits of knowledge for people to absorb in 10 minutes —it’s about transforming the perception of training itself. By delivering engaging, results-oriented programs and communicating their value effectively, we can help ensure that training is not just something people make time for, but something they actively seek out.
