This past weekend, while taking a walk around my neighborhood, I couldn’t help but notice the many home projects that people were working on. In several yards, people were planting new vegetable and spice gardens. In one, a couple was building a shed. And, in another, a man was in full garb, tending to his new beehives. While I can’t be certain, I imagine that most, if not all, of these were first-time projects. But, with a little guidance (and maybe a few YouTube tutorials), they figured it out. And perhaps they each also found (or acquired) a new talent – and potentially new love/hobby – that has made them happier and given them a greater sense of accomplishment.
Now, more than ever, we must avoid monotony, learn/discover new skills and, most importantly, find additional outlets and sources of enjoyment for ourselves. So, while I’m not an expert in this area (yet), here’s a few thoughts on how to make that happen.
- Get out of your comfort zone. The first step to trying something new is getting over the fear of doing it. You’ll never know if you can do it unless you try. And, remember, like anything else, greatness comes from practice. Don’t expect to be an immediate expert. If you find it enjoyable, then you can consider how to get really good at it. (And, BTW, often times the better you get, the more you enjoy it.)
- Think like an entrepreneur. Simply put, entrepreneurs find ways to get things done. If you have a dream, chase it. If you have an idea, bring it to life. There are no excuses – only opportunities.
- Don’t confuse “title” with “talent.” Sometimes we put each other (and ourselves) into boxes at work, based on titles. Copywriters write copy, project managers manage projects, etc. But, titles are intended to define a role, not limit your talent. Let others know what you want to do, what you are interested in learning, and how else you believe you can help. Chances are they’ll find an opportunity for you to learn. And, maybe, you’ll find an even more fitting role.
- Set a time-driven goal. Sometimes, one of the most challenging things about learning new skills is putting the time and effort into doing it. So, rather than postponing, put a stake in the ground for a specific objective by a certain date – and hold yourself to it. If you can’t hold yourself accountable, who will?
- Study up. We live in an age where we can learn almost anything for free, from the comfort of our homes via YouTube and other websites. Whether it be learning a new professional skill, a musical instrument or tending to bees, you can find it online. It’s time to turn off Tiger King, and get learning.
As our routines change, it’s easy to get into groove of sleeping in late, binge watching TV and drinking/eating a bit more than usual. But, instead, let’s take this time to improve ourselves and find new talents, projects and/or hobbies that can bring greater joy into our lives.
As always, I hope you enjoyed this post. Pease feel free to share with others. I’d also love to hear your feedback – and how you are expanding your talents/hobbies. Just add a comment here.
I’m now off to help my son paint his bedroom – something I never thought I’d be doing, but am actually finding much peace and enjoyment with it. Next up is my daughter’s room.
Until next time,
Jeff Freedman
CEO/Managing Partner
Small Army | Finn Partners