Learn something new this year…
A new year, on one hand, is just a turn of the calendar page. One of the ways in which we mark time. But nothing is necessarily different on January 1 than on December 31, the day before. We start a new year with high hopes, looking for ways it may be better than the last. That has been especially true the past couple of years, when we’ve been more eager than usual to say good riddance to the year just passing.
Don’t passively expect this year to be better just because the calendar has turned. Instead, take some control over making it better.
There are lots of ways you can do this, but here’s one suggestion as we begin this new year:
Learn Something New
For some, more is better, so the temptation is to take on too much and try and learn LOTS of new things at the same time. And then, probably, lose focus and not learn any of them.
Or perhaps the temptation is to expect to learn one thing at an Expert level. To feel like you need to invest the proverbial 10,000 hours in order to truly master something. And if you can’t do that, why bother?
I suggest that you set a reasonable bar. Pick something that is NOT essential to your job, career, or profession. You are expected to master things in that area, or stay on top of new trends or job skills, so that doesn’t count.
Rather, just pick something you’ve wanted to do, or thought about doing, and commit to learning it to some reasonable degree. To a level that is “good enough” to enjoy yourself and make you a more interesting person. As I’ve pointed out in another post, it is ok to have a goal of proficiency rather than mastery. Especially if the activity or skill is just for your own amusement and enjoyment.
I had pointed out in that post that to achieve proficiency in many things may only take 30 hours or so. You can do that in less than an hour a week, and one year from now be proficient in something you currently do not know how to do.
Some things won’t even take 30 hours. Just pick something, and look up how to do it on YouTube. Practice it a few times, and you’ve got it.
Other things may take a little longer, but are not as monumentally difficult to learn to a proficient and enjoyable degree.
Need some ideas, in case you’re uninspired? How about these?
Play an instrument--No, you don’t need to be Eric Clapton or Yo-Yo Ma. Pick something easy, like the harmonica or the tin whistle. Or, try a harder instrument like piano or guitar, and learn just one thing on it for starters. Like the piano intro to “Let it Be” by the Beatles. You don’t need to read music for this, just look up on YouTube how to do it, and put in some practice. Everyone will be impressed.
Speed reading–find one of the methods that works for you and put in some practice. Even modest gains in reading speed will pay off, and once you learn some principles, you can keep working on it.
Learn a language–sure, aim for mastery if you are so inclined, but you don’t need to be. Maybe it is enough to learn some greetings and pleasantries, or just how to get around in one or two of the countries you are most likely to visit. Or, choose a language for reading knowledge rather than speaking, which is a different and equally useful skill.
Learn to draw–there are so many resources out there for self-instruction on drawing! Keep it focused, till you see if you like it. For example, learn some basic cartoons or animations, or how to do simple pen and ink or charcoal drawings. If you like it, take it further. If not, well, you’ve at least learned a bit of one new thing.
Magic–Entertain your grandkids, or nieces and nephews, with the old “pull the coin from behind their ear” trick. How hard can that be?
Build a website–Hey, even I learned to do this over this past year or two–you can too!
Woodworking–This could be anything from building furniture, to small projects, or just whittling or carving.
Home repair DIY–This is practical, and you’ll use some of these skills sooner or later. You can even take DIY classes (often free) at your local Home Depot or Lowe’s. Why not do this and learn a new skill? See “Woodworking” above, as you can often take free or low cost local classes.
Furniture refinishing–You can teach this to yourself without classes. ‘Cause, Google and YouTube…
Cooking or baking–Every man needs to know a few basics, or have a couple of signature dishes you do really well. Learn to bake an apple pie–you’ll always have friends.
Outdoor sports/skills–Maybe a whole new sport, like fly fishing (my own recommendation, which I’ll talk about more another time), cross-country skiing, archery, etc. Or, if you’re already an outdoors person, maybe something small like how to start a fire without matches or in wet weather. Who knows when this may come in handy after you get stranded on an island like Tom Hanks in Castaway?
Cards or table games–Learn a new card game or two. Or if you’re up to it, something harder, like chess. People spend a lifetime mastering chess, but I imagine that in 30 hours or so you could gain some proficiency. And prove yourself a man of the world at the same time!
Learn CPR–And hope you never actually have to use it!
Public speaking–If you dare! Improving in this can change your life. There are some great resources out there like Toastmasters International if you want formal instruction and practice.
Summary
You get the idea. I’ve tried to prime the pump with some ideas, but what you do and what you learn is up to you. There is value in the new skill itself, as well as in your investment of yourself in learning it.
What will you gain from it?
- Confidence
- Relaxation and stress reduction
- Serve as an example for others
- Be a creator and not just a consumer
- Serve others, save money (as with DIY stuff)
- Develop a possible marketable skill
- Entertain others
- Be a more interesting person
Don’t put it off–let this be the year you pick something new and learn it! Email me and let me know what you plan to work on…
