In our world today, it takes so much more than a degree to build a successful career. It takes dedication to continuous learning and skill development to build a career, even though it’s not always easy.

Acquiring new skills can be difficult and time-consuming, especially when combining our busy schedules with learning. However, it is essential in career advancement.

Committing to learning new skills improves your profession, gives you confidence and enhances your knowledge. In addition, it expands your professional network and ultimately helps you achieve your career goals.

Just as humans are different, their reasoning, response, and comprehension also vary. Therefore, the ability to master a new skill speedily is an investment in our world today, and there are several ways of effectively acquiring these new skills.

In a fascinating talk at TEDxUWLaCrosse, Dr. Tesia Marshik made an enlightening fact — “40 years of research on learning styles have found that matching teaching styles to learning styles makes no difference at all.”

In her research, Dr. Marshik discovered that students learn the same way, irrespective of how the resources are provided.

How exactly do we effectively learn those new skills we would like to acquire? Here are the five (5) major secrets to effectively learning new skills:

1. Set a Goal

The first critical step to effectively acquiring a new skill is to set your goals right. This is what will keep you moving and going, even when you don’t feel up to it.

Knowing what you want out of the skill acquisition at the end of the day keeps you going, especially when things get tough — it is inevitable.

Therefore, it’s imperative that you know and outline your goals and be determined to do what it takes to achieve them.

2. Do a Break Down Of The Skillset

The next thing to do is break down all it takes to master the skill. Break the whole skillset into sub-skills, from the basics to the complex.

For instance, to learn a tech skill, you’ll need to resolve with yourself the aspect you’ll enjoy working in, then make a list of the ways to acquire knowledge. You can choose to take self-learning, join a Bootcamp or take online courses. However, it is not enough to think about it; you have to make a conscious effort to make it happen.

3. Learn By Doing It

Naturally, humans are learners, and the best way to learn is by consistently practicing. Practice makes perfection. This is why we tend to remember things we learn through practice rather than theories. So, after every class, take some time out during that day to practice what you have learned. This way, you’ll have better knowledge and understanding of it.

The more you do it, the better you get at it. Make attempts, and don’t be scared to make mistakes. Instead, learn from your mistakes.

4. Get a Mentor

The fastest way to acquire and develop a skill is by getting a mentor. Find someone with years of experience in your field, and start a learning journey with them. Mentorship is delicate; not every successful person can become your mentor. Ensure your chosen mentor has the time to listen to you, coach you, and give you the proper support in excelling in your field.

5. Focus On One Thing At a Time

A mistake many people make is trying to learn different skills at the same time. For example, you can’t learn UI/UX while simultaneously learning how to code. Learning different things at the same time will only bring you to a state of confusion. You’ll end up having so many unfinished tasks and low productivity levels.

Invest and dedicate your energy and time to achieve the success you envision. Then you can try other things out that catch your interest. However, you’ll need to master one skill first. But, as they say, anything worth doing at all is worth doing well.

Final Note

Thanks to technology, this generation has easier access to information and knowledge. We have access to all we need to get that new skill with just a few taps on our mobile devices.

Acquiring new skills is highly beneficial to your career, especially as a tech person; you need to be up to date on the advancement in your field. In addition, it can help you position yourself to take on new responsibilities and leverage new skills to advance.

Furthermore, interest and willingness to learn new things show you value your commitment to your career and the person you work for.

Join our community of tech experts at CodeNest, as we give you all that you need to give your tech career a boost. Visit our website today for more information.