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6 Reasons why you need to learn a new skill
It’s easy to forget that celebrities have lives and interests apart from the work for which they are famous. Many of them, like us, spend their free time pursuing hobbies and interests.
Beyonce produces honey. Brad Pitt is into pottery. Will Smith is well-versed in fencing. Mike Tyson trains racing pigeons. The rest of the list can be found here. My favourite is Tom Hanks’s at number 18.
People pursue very different hobbies from their screen personas for a variety of reasons. Engaging in a new hobby or skill has been shown in studies to increase levels of emotion-regulating brain chemicals such as serotonin.
Learning a physical skill can improve your health in addition to the mental benefits of learning something new. These activities can help those who work in a stressful and competitive environment to restart or refresh.
Developing a new skill as a business owner or agency manager may help you become even better at what you do.
Learning a new skill keeps you motivated
Studying new subjects force you to step outside of your comfort zone. New activities may be difficult at first, but with your persistence, you will try and try again until you get it right.
It redirects your energy into something productive, and when you complete the task, you will feel proud of yourself for accomplishing a difficult task.
In hindsight, you’ll realise that if you can successfully complete a model aeroplane or “DJ”ing at a local bar, your skills and perseverance can propel you to greater heights.
Learning a new skill boosts confidence
You’ll eventually be better and faster at your new skill than you were before. And when you improve at something, you feel better about yourself. You have the sense that you have achieved something important and meaningful to you.
Because you can now help others, this can also help improve your self-esteem. For example, if you know how to edit photos on your phone, you’ll be able to say yes in the future when someone asks if you can do basic editing.
If someone asks you for feedback on a graphic design, you can reply with actionable feedback because you understand the fundamentals of design.
Learning a new skill can improve brain power
Learning a new skill increases the plasticity of your brain. Plasticity is your brain’s ability to change and adapt in response to your experiences. This allows for more efficient information processing and storage, resulting in a more effective recall.
As the team leader or boss, your mind must always be in peak condition in order to make difficult decisions for your company. Who knew that learning a new skill could help with this?
Learning a new skill offers stress relief
When you try something new, you have defined goals and deadlines, which can be very liberating for someone who doesn’t know where their time is going.
You will feel less stressed after mastering a new skill because you are not bound by deadlines or company targets and goals, especially if it is completely different from what you do at work. It is the pursuit of one’s interests.
Learning a new skill improves problem-solving skills
Starting (and finishing) a new skill can be challenging. For example, if you’re new to coding, it may feel like there is an infinite amount of information and no way to get up to speed quickly enough to be useful at your job.
However, because your goal is to complete a course and create something useful from it, you will find a way to do so.
When our brains are forced to solve problems, they improve their problem-solving abilities.
And when we get better at problem-solving, we get better at everything else: our ability to communicate with others improves, as does our focus and creativity.
Learning a new skill expands your network
Every businessperson understands the value of broadening their personal and professional network. You can accomplish this through your new hobby.
You may come across people who wish to teach or mentor you. Accountability partners are another option. They could all be prospective business partners or clients.
You + new skill = You 2.0
Take the initiative to learn new skills. Choose your new skill wisely and be purposeful about it.
Beyonce did not become a beekeeper to show that she is a true Queen Bee. Her children were sick, and she needed organic honey for its healing properties, so she learned this skill.
Other reasons to try a new skill include the ability to connect brain cells, a sense of accomplishment, and even physical health improvements.
The mind-body connection is real, and you can tap into it without taking time away from family or work.
Choose a hobby that will not require you to work in your company. Find a new skill that will give you a new perspective and will help you at home and at work.
