It’s about a hundred days or so till the end of the year. This time is usually for inventory, so the tendency is for people to hurry to tick off boxes for their checklists from early in the year. But what if I told you that instead of obsessing over finishing, you could start or learn something new.
Setting goals and learning new skills does not always have to be at the beginning of the year. You can get started on those 2020 goals now. Or you could just learn something that will assist you in the coming year.
It takes 21 days to master a skill. So technically, you can master FIVE skills before the end of 2019. I’ll help you out with a few.
Image and Video Editing
No one can escape the implications of our digital era. Skills like photoshop are fast becoming a necessity when applying for a job or trying to build a brand. There are tons of resources on the Internet that take you through step-by-step processes of putting together a great video or an aesthetically pleasing picture. And it is very enjoyable if you ask me
A New Language
I learnt to speak Deutsche in 3 months and from a mobile app. It only took 15 minutes a day to plug in my earpiece in traffic and listen to the voice prompts from an app. I may not know every single word, but I sure can hold simple conversations and I would definitely not be lost if I find myself in Germany.
Learning a new language is an important skill for Job applications, travel, or college scholarship applications (which was my reason for learning).
Programming and Coding
This may seem more daunting if you think you are not a tech person. But it is a great professional skill and one that has proven useful many times over. Especially for people in the corporate world and looking to grow a career in tech. And even if you are not in tech, it does not matter. I know a few doctors that do some great web development.
Public speaking
It may seem like it is not everyone that can talk to a whole bunch of people. I, for one, used to think it was something you had to be born with. So I was shy and admired people that could talk to large crowds without stuttering, right from high school. I have since learned that there are resources that help you develop people skills, public speaking skills and in turn, project management skills. These life skills can not be overestimated and will help you get to positions that even people seem smarter than you can only dream of being in.
Writing
This is another skill that I thought had to come as an innate gift. Of course, some people are naturally inclined to it. But you can surely learn to be a better writer by consuming resources that help you. And even if you don’t go ahead to win a Nobel Prize for some literary work, it can help with resumes, cover letters, even language. You can take it a step further and make money off this skill. Learning how to put words together to paint a picture in the mind is a skill you can get paid for.
I have gotten some money by writing about all the trips I have been on. Just because I know how to involve my audience and take them on a literary journey.
I hope you learn a skill or two before the year runs out. So, you can be extra prepared for the new year.