So Many Badges, So Many Certifications, So Little Time!

I am really digging this awesome tool called Trailhead! Call it Marketing, call it Gamification...call it whatever you want, but you should be using it. The more I get ahead, the more data Salesforce keeps pushing out. It really is amazing that they can create content at such a fast pace, for so many different aspects of the application. Imagine future Salesforce Release Highlights as Trailhead Badges vs Webinars... (fingers crossed!)

One of the greatest aspects of Trailhead, is that it forces you to review concepts and content that you may think you already know, but have missed a step or two along the way. Case in point, I have been utilizing Search in Salesforce for YEARS, yet I overlooked the ability to use 'OR' statements or 'AND NOT' statements in my search! If there was no Trailhead, I never would have stumbled across this lovely gem. Another reason to not breeze past the info and go straight to the Q&A portion of the Badge if you're already familiar with a topic.

This is another reason why I read through Release Notes. Yes, it's painful sometimes and yes, it takes FOREVER, but no one else is going to be able to read and interpret them based on what I know and what I'm looking to develop for my Org. I've heard of some Admins breaking down the Release Notes into sections that everyone summarizes and shares an Overview document with the group. I think this is a great way to knowledge share and I'd love to do something like this for my User Group! However, it would be a supplemental effort, because for me, the info just doesn't stick with me in the way that it would if I was reading it myself.

I typically print out the Release Notes (GASP! I know, I wish I could consume that much data online, but I just can't!). I like to write ideas and thoughts in the margins and I highlight items to keep an eye on or that I may consider implementing in my Org. I grab those pages and put them in a binder and then recycle the rest. Not the best way to go through the info, but it also allows me to read through the docs when I'm traveling or when I'm stuck waiting for my car to be serviced and who doesn't love to multi-task?

I should probably plant some trees with my User Group at some point. Possible Earth Day outing for 2016? I can't be the only one, right?

Another reason that I think it is so critical to read through Release Notes and utilize Trailhead, is for the certification exams. You're getting free, direct access to Salesforce thinking, their wording and their examples. What better way to prepare for the exam? I also have recommended signing up for Salesforce Webinars and viewing their YouTube channel, but am noticing that Trailhead is leveraging the YouTube videos now as well!