What do you do if you're struggling to balance learning new skills with your hospitality job?

1 Identify your goals

The first step is to identify what skills you want to learn and why. What are your career aspirations and how do they align with your current job? What are the gaps in your knowledge or abilities that you want to fill? What are the benefits of learning new skills, both for yourself and for your employer? Having clear and realistic goals will help you prioritize your learning and measure your progress.

3 Communicate your learning

The third step is to communicate your learning goals and plans to your manager and colleagues. This will help you gain their support and understanding, as well as avoid potential conflicts or misunderstandings. Explain how learning new skills will benefit your work and the organization, and ask for feedback and guidance. You may also find opportunities to apply your new skills on the job, or to share your knowledge with others. This will reinforce your learning and demonstrate your value.

4 Balance your learning

The fourth step is to balance your learning with your work and personal obligations. Learning new skills can be a great experience, but it can also be overwhelming. To make sure you learn effectively while maintaining your well-being, you should be realistic and flexible with your pace and expectations. Additionally, use tools such as a calendar, a to-do list, or a timer to plan and track your learning activities. You should also be mindful and positive when it comes to your emotions and thoughts, monitoring both your achievements and challenges. Furthermore, take care of your physical and mental health by eating well, exercising, sleeping, and having fun. Make sure to take breaks from learning and work; do something that makes you happy or relaxed.

5 Evaluate your learning

The final step in the learning process is to evaluate your outcomes and progress. You can use tests, quizzes, feedback, portfolios, or self-reflection to assess your strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, ask yourself questions such as what you learned and how you learned it, how you applied these skills to your work or life, what were the benefits and challenges of learning new skills, what was enjoyable and what was difficult, and what can be improved or changed in your learning plan. Through evaluation, you can set new goals and plan your next steps. Learning new skills is an ongoing journey that can help you advance your career and enrich your life.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?