People are hungry for new skills. This is especially true now with all the uncertainty we’re facing as the pandemic and technological innovations quickly turn lives, businesses and careers upside-down. Learning new skills may be the only way to not only keep up with the changes but also to thrive in the future world of work.
Upskilling or reskilling is a welcome distraction these days, letting you focus on something positive when we’re constantly being bombarded with negativity.
There are multiple benefits to learning new skills; benefits which go far beyond the actual skills learnt and many of which apply to all ages – not just working adults.
What are the benefits of learning new skills?
Learning keeps your brain healthy
Learning new skills means you’re less likely to develop dementia. Dementia affects your memory, thinking, problem-solving, language skills and social abilities. It may be common in older people but it’s not a normal part of aging. We all lose nerve cells as we age, but people with dementia experience much greater loss.
Learning actually stimulates nerve cells and forms new pathways. So, the more you learn, the more connections you create, and this also helps you learn things faster over time.
Exercising your brain is as important as exercising the rest of your body.
Learning makes you happier
Have you ever noticed how you lose track of time when you’re engrossed in learning something you find interesting? You are in the zone or in a state of flow.
When you’re in this state, you experience razor sharp focus and extreme productivity. You’re not distracted by thoughts about the past or worries about the future. You’re completely immersed in the present moment – the happiest place you can be.
Learning gives you new insights
Learning is about making connections, and learning a new skill may highlight the reason for a previous failure. You can apply your new insights to make better, more informed decisions so that the outcome is more successful the next time round.
You may discover talents or strengths that start you off on a different career path or open up another income stream. Most people would welcome an additional income in these tough economic times.
Learning builds self-confidence
Let’s say your company is going through major organisational change, or adopting new systems and technologies. You feel unprepared, incompetent and concerned about your job security. Expanding your knowledge or skillset will make you feel better prepared for the changes, able to do your job more quickly and effectively, and ultimately increase your confidence in yourself and your abilities.
It could even mean new opportunities and challenges for you at work or elsewhere.
Learning fosters a growth mindset
If you have a growth mindset, rather than a fixed mindset, you embrace challenges and failure as opportunities to improve, believe talent can be developed, and love learning.
This mindset motivates and leads to higher levels of achievement.
“Love challenges, be intrigued by mistakes, enjoy effort and keep on learning.”
– Carol Dweck
Wondering what to learn?
If you’re unsure what to learn, start by asking yourself “What am I really interested in or passionate about?” It could be something that takes you right out of your comfort zone, something you’ve always wanted to do. Maybe it’s time to reinvent yourself with a whole new skillset.
You should also consider what skills are currently in demand. Blockchain, the technology behind cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, topped LinkedIn’s most in-demand skills list, while digital skills topped its fastest growing skills list in 2020.
Whether for work, personal reasons or future opportunities, now is the time to start your learning journey.
Always be curious.