For many of us, learning new skills feels like a daunting and near impossible challenge. Perhaps you don’t have the time, or you don’t know where to start. Worst of all, you might hold off learning a new skill because you feel like you’ll never be able to achieve it.
Whatever your challenges, you shouldn’t let them hold you back from attempting to learn a new skill. Here are a few powerful strategies you can add to your educational arsenal to gain new expertise.
Try Board Games
Believe it or not, some board games can help you develop valuable skills. You don’t need to be a fanatic with exclusive DND shirts in your closet, or Klingon Monopoly in your drawer to love board games. Some even praise Dungeons and Dragons for teaching them about communication and group problem-solving.
Depending on the game you play, you can gain valuable skills. Captain Sonar is fantastic for developing your leadership skills, while Settlers of Catan focuses on resource management and negotiation. Pandemic, Mastermind, and Clue are also excellent board games for developing your mental skills. If you’re looking for a fun way to build life and business attributes, board games might just do the trick.
Use Online Courses
Online learning trends are rapidly gaining speed during Covid 19 pandemic, and you have better catch up with them. There are many online courses available and plenty of websites that offer them for low prices or even for free. Naturally, some of your more extensive and accredited courses will cost something, but many accept coupons or have occasional discounts. If you’re looking for something to learn in your free time, take a few minutes to browse popular study sites like Udemy, Coursera, or edX. You’ll be amazed at what you can find – and some courses are even recognized by learning institutions!
Companies are competing to get skilled people on their teams. They are willing to pay a massive amount of money for the right employee. Many skilled people are also working as freelancers and living their life on their own terms. Then there are some people who choose to use their skills and set up their own business.
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Try a Different Learning Style
There’s a misconception that there’s only one way to learn something new – hours of study, reading, notes, and tests. However, not everyone uses this style of learning. Those who do are often known as reading/writing learners. You also get visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic learners, all of whom work best with their styles. For example, a visual learner might do better with pictures and doodling. They make connections between words and visual concepts. Kinaesthetic learners, on the other hand, need to do things. They need to act things out or practice a skill to improve it. Find a style that works best for you.
Get Practical
Many people learn better by practicing something while they’re learning. For example, let’s say you’re doing a course on SEO. Instead of just taking notes or watching videos, try employing those skills. Start a blog, write a few posts, and see what works and what doesn’t. A lot of what you learn will stick better, so to speak, if you use the skills as you’re studying. The principle applies to many different skills, so don’t be afraid to start using your new knowledge despite not being an expert yet.
Find a Mentor
Having a mentor is a great way to improve your skills. A good mentor can offer valuable advice from the first-hand experience. You’ll also be talking to someone who has a deeper understanding of the field, topic, or skill. There are a few things you should consider before you start looking for a mentor. For one, start with family, friends, and co-workers, if one has the skills you need. Never approach a stranger for a mentorship – it’s bad etiquette. Instead, reach out to the person and start by developing a relationship with them. In time, you’ll be able to ask this expert to become your mentor without being impolite.
Take Away
Learning new skills shouldn’t feel like an impossible task. Hopefully, armed with our tips, you’ll now have a better idea of your options. It’s essential to understand what learning style would work the best for you and then build on that foundation. Don’t be afraid to experiment with things like board games and online courses. Keep in mind that you don’t need to be an expert on something to start using it, either. Finally, building a relationship with a possible mentor might take time, but you’ll find it rewarding. With just a little out of the box thinking, anyone can learn a new skill – and so can you.
