You’re struggling to learn a new skill. How can you make the most of your time?

1 Set SMART goals

One of the first steps to learn a new skill is to define what you want to achieve and how you will measure your progress. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. A SMART goal is clear, realistic, and focused. For example, instead of saying "I want to learn Spanish", you could say "I want to complete a beginner's course in Spanish and pass a proficiency test by the end of the year".

2 Break it down

Trying to learn everything at once can be overwhelming and demotivating. A better approach is to break down the skill into smaller, manageable chunks and focus on one at a time. For example, if you want to learn how to code, you could start with the basics of a programming language, then move on to more complex concepts and projects. Breaking down the skill also helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses, and prioritize the areas that need more attention.

3 Use multiple sources

Relying on a single source of information can limit your perspective and understanding of the skill. To enhance your learning, you should use multiple sources and formats, such as books, online courses, podcasts, videos, blogs, etc. This way, you can expose yourself to different viewpoints, examples, and explanations, and find the ones that suit your learning style and preferences. You can also compare and contrast different sources and look for common patterns and principles.

4 Practice deliberately

Practice is essential to learn a new skill, but not all practice is equal. To make the most of your time, you should practice deliberately, which means focusing on the specific aspects of the skill that you want to improve, setting clear and immediate feedback, and challenging yourself to step out of your comfort zone. For example, if you want to improve your writing skills, you could practice writing different types of texts, ask for feedback from others, and revise your work based on the feedback.

5 Learn from others

Learning a new skill can be lonely and isolating, especially if you are doing it on your own. To avoid this, you should seek out opportunities to learn from others who share your interest or have more experience in the skill. You could join a community, a forum, a club, or a mentorship program, where you can ask questions, exchange ideas, get support, and learn from others' successes and mistakes. You could also collaborate with others on projects or challenges that require the skill.

6 Review and reflect

The last tip to learn a new skill is to review and reflect on your learning process regularly. This helps you consolidate your memory, evaluate your performance, identify your gaps, and adjust your strategies. You could use a journal, a portfolio, or a tracker to document your learning journey, record your achievements, and set your next goals. You could also use a self-assessment tool, such as a quiz, a test, or a checklist, to measure your level of mastery and confidence in the skill.