Why Not Use What You've Got

Now that the technological impact in every sector has high value, the more people see the good in it. Even in mind conscious practices where technology had poise threats, experts reimagined it to serve humanity. That's why apps like Aura and Buddhify exist.

You can learn anything you want just by sacrificing some time. This possibility makes many people accumulate certificates, skills or knowledge that may not be useful to them in future.

It affects new entrepreneurs that invest valuable time seeking knowledge they think they might need in their business, instead of starting up the business at first.

My mentor's first advice is "Use what you've got, cos what you've got is plenty."

Before you start anything, he'd ask you the knowledge you have in that niche, then he'd urge you to start and pick along the needed skills. And that is if you can't delete, delegate or delay the task. 

You might know more than the so-called experts out there.

They're experts because they've mastered their inner programming. 

Like you, they asked for no permission, they just do.

In this post, I'll share the five strategies to start making an impact using your existing skills without fear.

• Start with your mindset

The difference between "I don't think it'll work" and "Let's try and see if it'll work" is your mindset. What state is your mindset? Fixed or Growth?

To achieve anything, you have to first conceive that it's possible to get. Once your mind sees this, it'll build up in your reality.

Begin with the end in mind, take each step at a time and celebrate small wins.

• Set a short term goal

Not long, short term goal. 

Long term goals are tiring. They discourage you before you start. When I did my first teacher training, I planned training 10 teachers, not 1000. When 17 teachers showed up on the training day, I felt I'd won even before starting. 

I planned a short term. Why?

It waives the fear of accomplishing a task and helps you put your learning into use.

Have something like, "At the end of today, I'd have designed 3 flyers and 1 infographic relating to design thinking and I'll share on Instagram."

Have another for tomorrow and the next, and so on. Then, you can think of a long term goal.

• Start Writing

If you think what you've learnt has nothing to be written, think again. 

You can put the most abstract concept into a relatable and digestible format for people's understanding. 

You'd be a gem if you can achieve that. Ask Quincy Larson.

By writing, you demonstrate to your readers that you know what you're talking about. It makes you credible and moulds you into an influencer.

Do you know how to train a rabbit? Start writing about it.

• Learn from experience

Let's pretend that you amassed five certifications from the United States Institute for Peace, HubSpot or Udemy?

Massive right?

And had nowhere to put it to use. 

For instance, USIP. 

You'd nowhere to intercede or negotiate for peace - You didn't write about it or volunteered for humanitarian service.

Your knowledge of the subject matter will likely become your certificate on the shelf, gathering dust. 

What's the use?

Before you begin taking a course or as you're in the process, know where you'd apply it. Ask a friend. Ask experts. That's what LinkedIn and other social media networks are for. Get a mentor.

Put what you learn into practice. Utilise it in helping people for free.

This is ultimately useful because the experiential learning process and the understanding of it's intended implementation makes the most impact.

• Get an accountability partner

In my experience, what keeps me on my toes is accountability; either in the form of a partner or a personal note. I discipline myself to act as if my notes are gonna kill me if I fail.

You will properly implement your learning process if you're accountable to someone. This will make your learning effective and your successes or faults will be visible for necessary adjustments.

Don't think that you need an additional certificate or skill to make an impact. Have you properly utilised the one you have?

You should be able to look deeply enough to identify that the little you know can be magnified into a significant success. That's the skill you should seek now.

I use to think professors are the ones that know it all. But they only profess into a little and magnify into greater impact.

Get to the heights of your impact.