The right skills will make someone invaluable in their industry. Learning a new skill can help you move forward in your career, make better connections, and improve your self-confidence. When you think of all you need to accomplish to achieve your goals, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, but you can make the process easier by approaching these tasks in an effective way. If you’re ready to advance your career, here’s how entrepreneurs can learn a new skill quickly.
Choose Wisely
You may already have a new skill in mind, but if you don’t, it is important to choose this skill wisely. If you want to learn fast, the skill you choose should meet two crucial criteria. This skill should be something that excites you, and it should be something that will actively assist you in your career right away. This ideally will mean you stay motivated and that momentum will carry you to the finish line. If you’re still not sure how to pick, try making a list of skills you’re excited about, then check current business trends to make your final decision.
Break It Down
Don’t make the mistake of choosing a skill that is actually composed of a bunch of smaller skills. If you do, make the ultimate skill a goal for further down the line, and pick a prerequisite skill to master first. By breaking down the skills into smaller pieces, you can get a better idea of what you actually need to master and how to do it. This also makes the goal seem more manageable. An achievement that would take several hours can often be broken down into many smaller, faster tasks that make your brain happy to cross off a list.
Set Realistic Goals
Be realistic when setting your goals, even though you want to learn quickly. For most people, being fluent in a language isn’t a realistic goal for a few months. Even people who have submerged themselves in a new language and culture don’t feel comfortable saying they’re fluent until several months or even years have passed, and that’s with total immersion. You might learn enough to get by in a conversation with little trouble, but working in more professional settings will likely take more time. Also keep in mind that tasks tend to swell to fill the time you give, so while you want to be realistic, don’t be afraid to add some pressure to hold yourself accountable.
Focus On One at a Time
If you want to learn something quickly, you should dedicate as much time as you have to it. Focusing on learning two skills at a time only means you’ll take longer to learn both. Why not put all your energy into one, so you can benefit from your new skills before progressing to another? Some people struggle with focus, which is why it’s so important that you pick a skill you’re actually interested in. You’re more likely to learn quickly when you actually enjoy the work.
Have Someone Hold You Accountable
Some people aren’t very good at setting goals and holding themselves accountable, even when they make beautifully detailed timelines and plans for success. This is where your accountability partner comes in. Choose a trusted friend, family member, or coworker to check in with you as you learn this new skill. They can help you study, learn a skill with you, or encourage you in other ways. Some people give their accountability buddies cash or a check, and if they don’t meet their goals, that money is lost or donated to a cause they don’t agree with. This may seem drastic, but it certainly seems to get results.
Learning new things can be an exciting way to get ahead, but make sure you’re realistic with your expectations. Know when “good enough” is actually perfect, and that you’ll always be learning new things to build on what you already know!
