Sammy Courtright November 15, 2021 Over the past two years, our workplaces and our lives have evolved in a very unexpected way. Now that we’ve had some time to adapt, some people are realizing they need to find new ways of doing things – especially when it comes to work and self-care – which means it’s probably time to learn some new skills.
No matter what the reason or inspiration that strikes one when they want to learn something new, the truth is that learning new skills is a great way to keep the brain in tip-top shape over the years. According to Harvard Medical School, keeping your brain stimulated can result in new brain cell growth, keep your memory sharp, and slow down age-related cognitive decline. Learning new skills is also a great way to reduce stress, boost your mood, make you more self-confident, and even help you sharpen your focus at work.
The next time you want to pick up a new skill, here are a handful of ways to go about it.
Take Online Classes
One of the best ways to learn new skills is to take online classes – but make sure it’s something you’re excited about learning whether it will help you at work or in your everyday life. Masterclass has some amazing offerings, but before you dive in, see what your company might have to offer too. Companies using Ten Spot are offered a weekly line-up of virtual expert-led classes that offer employees a variety of options – from cooking classes to how to get better at using social media, and more.
Look to Social Media
While spending too much time on social media might be something you want to avoid, there are ways you can use it to learn a variety of new skills. For those who are visual learners, check out YouTube, where you can be guided through new skills by an instructor. Or watch tutorials on Instagram or TikTok. You can even learn about certain topics by searching within the hashtags on certain platforms, whether you want to learn how to better organize your home office, pick up macrame, or up your cycling skills.
Go Back to Basics
While the internet can teach you an endless amount of new skills, don’t forget about a tried-and-true way to pick up new knowledge: reading books. Check out some books from your local library, buy options online, or download some picks to your e-reader. It’s a great way to learn new information—one that really sticks.
Ask an Expert
These days, it’s really easy to find people who are experts in the skills you want to improve upon. Even a quick Google search can lead you to people who love sharing their knowledge with others. If you find someone that looks like a promising expert – take a few additional minutes to check them out to make sure they are credible. Have they published books? Do they have a LinkedIn profile or Wikipedia page, etc.? Once you find someone whose expertise you feel confident in, send them a message. You might be surprised at how many responses you get.
Seek Out In-Person Opportunities
While there has been a huge shift to learning new skills virtually, you may be able to find experts in your area who you can safely learn from in person. There are pottery studios where you can learn how to work with clay, art studios that teach you the ins and outs of painting techniques, and even small in-person cooking classes that practice social distancing. And if you want to make it a team-building experience, invite a few of your local co-workers along for the fun.
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