Learning a new skill is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. We don’t even have to explain why. And every time we think about it, we just know how nice it would be to actually learn something new and become more productive and create new opportunities. We say, ‘that would be awesome!’ or ‘wow, all the things I can do and earn from them’. Unfortunately, almost always we end up saying, ‘I don’t have the time and money to learn a new skill, I’m just going to pass’. In Australia alone, a good 90% of people aged 19 and below enrol in higher education, but that number reduces significantly as they age.
If this is how you think, let us help you change it and convince you to start taking action and learn a new skill. Ready? Read on.
Why You Should Start Taking Action and Learn a New Skill
1. It stops you from saying, ‘I should have’
Have you ever felt like this before? Have you ever said ‘I should have’ because you didn’t take action and let the opportunity pass? According to psychologists, the regret of not doing what you want and not taking action can result not just in physical but also in mental anguish. When you experience psychological pain, it can manifest as a heavy chest and a hurting heart—all of which lead to physical pain.
2. It gets you results
When you learn a new skill, you get results. Unless you take action, you’ll never get results because the action you take will determine the results you get. So, if you want something good to happen in your life, you have got to act and do something concrete. For instance, if you want to be a disability support worker, you cannot be one if you don’t get the necessary qualification or experience in the field. These things can help you land the right job and achieve a sense of fulfilment that you so want.
3. It helps overcome fear
Fear is the one thing that can hold us back from doing things we want. It makes you want to stay in a corner and stick to your comfort zone. However, your comfort zone only binds you to what is easy, usual, and oftentimes plain.
If you try to learn a new skill and take action for it, you are able to expand your comfort zone and would no longer be afraid to try something new the next time. You’ll remember the experience and the benefits you get from actually trying out something.
4. It helps you develop new skills
If you’ve always wanted to learn a new skill or harness an existing one to become an expert, then taking action now by studying or getting certified is the way to go. For instance, you want to harness your current skills as a youth support worker. You can take certification courses and volunteer at care facilities and organisations. When you have gained sufficient knowledge and exposure, it leads us to the next reason.
5. It builds your confidence
What usually stops you from doing something? Perhaps, you wanted to try cooking a new dish to serve to your significant other and his family, but you decide not to do it because you think it won’t taste good. This is an example of a lack of confidence. But if you practice making it several times until you perfect the recipe, you will be more confident in serving it to them. This is the same concept that applies when you want to learn a new skill. Once you do it, practice, and perfect it, you will be more confident.
6. It helps you gain respect
While it is true that we give respect to get respect back, most people respect others for their achievements, qualities, and abilities. In fact, learning a new skill is a sign of self-respect.
7. It can be done in the comfort of your home
One of the most common reasons people don’t want to learn a new skill is because of time constraints and having to go back to school or a learning centre. Thanks to online and distance learning, you can take up a new course right in the comfort of home or wherever you want to do it. You can also do it at your own time for as long as you complete the academic requirements and submit them on time.
Now is the right time to start taking action and learn a new skill. If you don’t, you might miss out on a lot of things, including landing your dream job.
