Age is no obstacle: it's always possible to learn a new skill, writes Linda, our Assistant Manager.
Do you wish you could remember the things you learned during your Spanish GCSE or how to play the piano? Do you admire people who can write code?
Many people assume that learning a new skill is age sensitive and that we should learn as children. Others assume that it mainly applies for those who are looking to start a new career or looking to excel in their current position. However, this is not the case! The reality is that people are ripe to learn a new skill at any age.
In fact, as you get older, you’ll have some advantages over your younger counterparts. There is no proof that says older learners are better than younger students, but those who take further study later in life do so under a different set of circumstances that force them to be more efficient in their studies. Fauja Singh started running at the age of 89 and is now 107 years old. Joseph Conrad is known to be one of the greatest novelists to write in the English language; however, he did not learn English until his late 20s. These are only a few examples of people who still went out of their way to develop a skill later in life.
It’s always good to learn new skills to help keep your mind stimulated; this helps to reduce the chances of you getting brain degenerative diseases as you get older. Learning a new skill has many benefits such as helping you excel in your chosen career or just to keep you ahead of the game. It also enables you to keep your mind active and sharp: there’s always room for improvement. Even once you master one skill, you should look to move on and develop even further. That’s how good players become great.
In today’s world, and with the fast pace of technology and social media, learning a new skill is easier and more accessible than ever before! You’re now able to access materials without having to be in a classroom. In my own case, I have easily been able to continue learning despite being out of full-time education. With the internet providing many sources and support I can learn many skills. I am currently learning French again! Despite studying this subject during my GCSEs I did not have the chance to look back at it since then. However, I made a promise to myself this year to learn as many skills as I can, which allows me to challenge myself and explore opportunities. My experience in general has been good so far, but it has also been quite challenging as it requires a lot of self-discipline.
Learning a new skill can seem overwhelming, as you may feel you don’t know where to start. I’d like to give you some tips that helped me during my journey:
1. First and most important, find a skill you want to work on: Making a choice on what to learn rather than feeling like it is expected makes a very big difference to your outlook. Therefore, make sure you pick something that you know you’ll enjoy and benefit from in the long run. Picking a subject or skill that you enjoy makes it easier to motivate yourself through challenging times. You are much more likely to do well and succeed this way.
2. Time management skills: Whether you realise it or not, your time management skills are far better later in life than when you were younger. It was very easy to waste time when you didn’t have a job, a home to maintain and a family to take care of. You will manage your study time to fit in and around your life. It is important for you to make time in developing your new skills, as it will allow you to make progress.
3. Remember that you are more disciplined than before: This gives you the edge over younger learners, allowing you to create a good habit in the long run and to stay consistent. Look at what you have accomplished so far in life – whether it has been graduation, a career, a family – you know what you can achieve. You have far more discipline than when you were a teenager. If you really want to learn something new, you can do it!
4. Lastly, keep a record of progress: Having a journal or a diary where you can keep track of your goals and achievements is a great way of keeping yourself on the straight and narrow. I find it useful to have a notebook for my French lessons and to keep track of what I’ve learnt so far, as well as what I would like to achieve for the week. This not only helps me stay organised, but it also motivates me to keep going!
What are you waiting for? There are so many skills you could learn, but if you need a suggestion to get you started, Project Management is used in every industry, so why not get yourself booked onto a course today?
Blog Post Crafted by Linda
Linda helps to run our Admin Team. She graduated from the University of Leicester with a degree in Management and Economics. She enjoys taking time to learn and develop her skills, and is currently teaching herself French. Linda is passionate about travelling and has visited Dubai, New York, Texas, Orlando, Morocco and Paris. Her next stop is Amsterdam. Linda also enjoys cooking and is known to always look for new recipes to make or foods to try. She is well known for having the Food Network or Come Dine With Me running in her house — you can never have too many ideas.
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