the best way to learn something new

Last week I talked about whether online courses are the right choice for you and I've written before about how to balance work and hobbies, and even how to leverage your hobbies.

Whether you're a naturally curious individual, always eager to learn something new in your downtime, or whether you want to bring more meaning to your life by learning something new, it's never too late to start. 

Photo by Kaushal Moradiya from Pexels

learn how you learn

If you've ever studied with friends, you probably noticed that you all study a bit differently. Some of us draw and make visuals to help organize information, others listen to audio books, and others still need to rewrite what they read or hear in order to solidify it. 

By learning more about yourself by discovering your learning style, you can make learning fun (if it wasn't before) and more effective.

I talk a lot about learning styles in my Study Smarter Method E-book, and it's revolutionized how my clients study for standardized tests.

learn something you love

Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to learn something you're interested in? That's how many of us discovered our academic passions before going off to college. 

So when you want to learn something new, think about what new hobby or subject area has always interested you, but you've never really taken up.

find a training course

There are different ways to learn something new, no matter your learning style. If you want to pick up handcrafts like knitting, you can go to classes at local craft stores, watch videos online, or use a book. If you're looking to combine passion and career and want to make a shift, using a set course or training program will help you meet the benchmarks necessary. For example, if you've always enjoyed the open road and think driving a truck would be a good move for you, ask yourself "Who has the best CDL training?" and then follow through!

Finding a teacher or mentor to help you through the process can boost your confidence, especially if you start to be discouraged. Everyone was a beginner at one point, and a mentor or good teacher can provide you with encouragement along the way. When you finally pass your qualification exam, or knit your first sweater, you'll know it was worth it.

be consistent

Sticking with something new shouldn't be difficult if it's something you love or are passionate about achieving, like a job change.

That being said, if you want to learn something new for fun, and it's not as fun as you thought, don't stick it out just because. If your goal is to bring joy to your life with a new hobby, think about why this one wasn't for you. Maybe knitting was too frustrating - but you still love to create. You can try drawing or painting instead. Just remember to take it slow with a new hobby - buy the essentials you need to get started (or rent them if you can) so you don't end up with a closet of skeleton hobbies!

​What's something new you've tried recently, or have always wanted to try? Post in the comments to share your story.