Making a start can be difficult and tricky given that skill requirement is evolving rapidly. It is important to keep an eye on the future need while you decide to upgrade. Further, clarity of goals and direction makes it easy to identify the starting point.
Let me share with you the ten steps that will help you make a start
Rank Your Skill Need - List the skills that you want to learn and assign them a rank on the basis of -
- How urgent is it to acquire the skill? - Urgency
- Will it help fixing the gap in the skill set or building new ones? - Relevance
- Will it help to achieve the short or long-term goals? - Impact
Once you have ranked the skill basis these factors, pick up the skill with the highest rank.
Detailed Research and Opinion - It is recommended not to jump to the first course you find, look at the course content, ensure to validate the certification and accreditation, read feedbacks and reviews about the course. While you research, it is helpful to take opinion or discuss learning options with your supervisor, mentor or anyone who understands your learning needs and gaps, so that you take a well-versed decision
Choose your Course - This has to be a confident and an independent choice. Don't be influenced by your friends or colleagues to simply follow their choices, as their goals may be different from yours. Select the course that is aligned with your objectives and aspirations
Setting up Finance - This is undoubtedly a very important factor for a lot of people. Today, from free online courses to company sponsored courses, flex-payment modes to education loans, there are ample of options available to make learning hassle. Pick the option or combine the ones that work well for you
Duration of Learning - Whether you pick up a certificate course, a diploma or a degree course, the duration should depend on your goals and commitments. The course will require you to not only invest money but time as well, so the pace of the course does matter. For instance, short-term courses are fast paced and need more of your time whereas long-term course is evenly paced and let you distribute the time over a longer span
Pick Your Option - There is a range of options available like Online classes-Web tutorial or the recently catching up platform MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses), Distance learning, Classroom lectures, Self-study. See what works best for you, as all of them have their own benefits
Enroll and Learn - Enroll with a promise to learn. Do not let your commitment die. Stay focused and build understanding, so that you can put your learnings into practice. Never burden yourself with over promise while upskilling as it may leave you demotivated
Completion - As rightly said by Robin Sharma, "Starting strong is good, finishing strong is epic." There will be personal and professional commitments or routine that may slow your progress, but it should not affect your morale. Make it a point that you finish what you started
Make it Public - Start marketing your new skill by updating your resume, social profile and job portals. Join relevant groups and talk to people in your professional network about your new skills. This will give you the visibility in the job market and act to your advantage
Celebrate - Hey, You did it! It is time to celebrate your achievement and reward your hard work. Be proud of yourself! Back to learning.
Upgrading the skills from time to time is crucial given that the life cycle of skills is becoming shorter than ever. Do not forget that the most successful people in the world simply DO what they decide on doing. It is about making a start and taking it to finishing line.
Be Confident and Take your first step!
Always Keep Learning, It Keeps You, Young
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