New Skills, And Why You Should Always Be Learning

Yesterday I learned some new skills.   Today I feel more positive as a direct result and with a new lease of life!

One of my goals for 2015 was to learn more new skills, and to make me a better Hollie 2.0!

(I discussed goal setting for 2015 here if you missed it).

Therefore the hubby and I made the journey from Bournemouth to Solihull yesterday to learn how to write a bestselling book.

Exciting, eh?!

I’ve always thought that I had a book in me (I bet lots of people think that too!) so why not find out how to get it out of my head and into Waterstones (or at least the Amazon Kindle store)?!

We had a great day and now have a plan in place and some of the skills required to take this to next level.

Of course, you’ll all know about my book in due course; in about 6 months from now I estimate!

But that isn’t the point.

The point is that we must always be learning.

New skills.  New ways to do things.

I realised that to achieve that goal then I’d have to learn some new skills – and then went out and did it.

The world is changing so fast that we’ll be left behind if we keep standing still!

That may sound dramatic, but it’s true.

Think about this; if everyone else is learning new skills and getting better in all aspects of their life you are actually falling behind just by standing still.   

Now that’s a scary thought!

What new skills would YOU like to learn? There are plenty of free online courses available.

So what can you do to improve your skill set?

Well there are lots of things you can do and in the 21st century it has never been easier, nor has information been more freely available.

It is also never too late to learn a new skill.

If you want something badly enough then you can do it.

So here is what I did and would recommend.

1. Identify what you want to learn more about

This might be a new treatment you can offer to your clients, it might be learning a new language or it might be how to play a musical instrument.   This is applicable for any type of skill.

(As it happens learning Spanish and to play the guitar are also on my list!)

It will be easier if it is something you have a burning desire to learn about, and not one that you’re doing ‘just because you think you should’.

If it is a business skill you want to learn then consider which would have the greatest positive impact on you and your business.

Remember just about every skill is learnable!

2. Research the topic and where you can learn more about it

Your good friend Google can help you immensely here!

Want to take up flute lessons in Glasgow?  Google returns 19,800 results!  (Who’d have thought?!)

You should always try to learn from the best in the relevant industry.   Of course that might not always be possible but don’t expect a free course to offer you more than a taster for a subject.

Of course, if funds are limited then absolutely go for a free course.   It will be a step in the right direction and give you enough of an insight as to whether you want to continue studying in that area.

See? I told you!

3. Do something!

Collecting email prospectuses and making telephone calls does not count and won’t get you any closer to your goal.

You need to book on the course and get moving!

This is the area where most people fall down.   As with so many things we all have grand plans and ideas but life somehow gets in the way.   Promise to yourself that you’ll follow through with it this time.

4. Be accountable

Once you’ve attended the course then the chances are that is just the beginning of your journey.   Depending on the skill you’ll almost certainly need to continue your learning or practicing.

Having an accountability partner can really help.  Perhaps someone else from the course that you met, seeing as though you’re in it together!  Checking in with each other means you’re far more likely to do what you’ve said you’re going to – you won’t want to lose face!

You should also plaster all over your social media and tell all of your friends.   As soon as you’ve put it out in the public domain then again you’re far more likely to see it through.   Just like I have right here!

So go for it!

Make a promise to yourself to learn a new skill, whatever that may be.

If it is learning to drive, learning how to use Google+, learning how to do semi permanent make up or even learning the ukulele then I’d love to hear about it!

Comment below and our community can hold you accountable!

You can do it!