Getting better at a new skill can feel like an overwhelming task. But it doesn’t have to be.
Start by finding a support system. Sharing your goals with others will help keep you accountable and offer informational and emotional support. Consider joining professional groups on social media or local networking events.
Focus on one sub-skill at a time
Trying to master too many skills simultaneously can be overwhelming. Focusing on one sub-skill at a time can make the process more manageable and help you build noticeable skills faster.
For example, if you want to become a coder, instead of trying to understand all of the syntax (similar to grammar rules for coding) at once, start by learning just a few essential elements like variables and comparison operators. This will enable you to begin writing some basic code and help you feel more confident about your progress.
Another way to make mastering new skills more manageable is to seek support. Whether it’s a teacher, mentor, or more experienced coworker, having someone to talk to can help keep you accountable and provide feedback on your progress.
You are identifying its more significant purpose before you commit to learning a new skill. For example, if you’re trying to learn a new language, set a clear goal for your fluency level. This will keep you motivated through the productive struggle of learning a new skill and help you stick with it longer.
Break down the skill into smaller segments
It’s no secret that learning a new skill can be challenging. It takes a lot of time and effort to master any skill, but you can improve your learning process with a few powerful strategies.
One way to do this is by breaking down the skill into smaller segments. This makes it easier to see what you’ve accomplished and what needs to be done. This is especially helpful for students with varying abilities or learning styles. Breaking down the skill into manageable steps helps teachers understand where students are struggling so they can provide support and encouragement.
Once you’ve broken down the skill into segments, you must practice those segments regularly. This will help you improve faster and better understand the process. It can also be helpful to find a community of people who are working on the same skills as you. This can make it more fun and motivating to practice. For example, you could join a group that practices public speaking or attend a weekly meeting with people who want to learn how to code.
Ask for feedback
Feedback is an essential part of the learning process, but only when it’s given in a timely fashion. Otherwise, the learner can quickly forget key points and will only improve with them. Ideally, one-on-one feedback should be delivered in person and during a meeting to avoid distractions such as email messages, social media updates, phone calls, etc.
During the feedback session, it’s essential to focus on the person in front of you and listen carefully to what they are saying. Take notes throughout the session to help you retain the information and demonstrate to your manager that you value their input.
In addition to receiving one-on-one feedback, share your goals with others who can provide encouragement and support along the way. This will help you stay focused and ensure you are accountable for completing your goals. Additionally, it may be helpful to reach out to individuals who can provide additional guidance on how to master a new skill (such as teachers, more experienced colleagues, or mentors). This extra support will make the learning process much easier and more manageable.
Learn from others
When learning a new skill, it’s often helpful to find others who are experts in the topic and ask them for advice, like the Wonderlic. Getting feedback can help you improve your performance and develop more effective learning methods. You may also want to join a community of like-minded people working on developing the same skills, such as a group for a specific hobby or interest.
Once you have established a basic foundation in your new skill, it’s time to combine your techniques and try different approaches to see what works and what doesn’t. This is where the creative/active stage comes in – you take your ideas and execute them on a higher level, with more freedom and creativity.
Pursuing a new skill and dedicating every moment to your passion can be tempting, but this is only sustainable in the short run. Spreading your learning over an extended period can improve your test scores and retention. For example, if you’re learning to code, try interleaving topics (such as algebra and geometry) rather than studying them in consecutive order.
Practice makes perfect
A significant cause of failure for people seeking to master new skills is a lack of practical experience. Consider asking a coworker or an existing mentor to help you practice and refine your new skills. Most people are happy to share their tips, tricks, and experiences with others.
Another factor that can prevent new skills from taking hold is feeling overwhelmed by the challenge. This is why breaking your new talent into smaller segments is a good idea. For example, spending months learning every aspect of syntax (similar to grammar rules for computer code) might be tempting if you’re trying to learn how to code. But if you focus on the most critical coding components, you’ll progress much more quickly.
Finally, feel free to set reasonable goals for yourself. If you want to improve your public speaking skills, for example, set a goal of practicing making eye contact with three coworkers daily. This will keep you motivated and on track.
