Want to make 2019 better than 2018? You’re in the right place. To become who you really want to be, you’re going to need to make some changes. Change doesn’t happen overnight and there are no shortcuts to success. But, with the right tools, and the right mindset, you’ll be able to develop a key set of skills that will lead you to your most successful year yet.
We only have limited time. The faster and better you learn, the more you’ll succeed. New skills enrich you with important qualities and habits. But, unfortunately, learning how to learn isn’t something we’re taught in school.
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi
How to learn this skill: It’s commonly understood that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill. But, in reality, it only takes around 20 hours of ‘smart’ practise to learn a new skill. The key is to assign focused periods of time where you practise the skill and repeat the process over a number of days, weeks or months. Resting and calming your mind is also important in order to let your subconscious work. This may include cardiovascular activities (such as walking or biking), meditation, enjoying nature, or quality sleep.
Using iMindMap 11’s Time Map View, enter each skill you wish to learn as a ‘milestone’. Add tasks along the timeline that will enable you to reach that milestone. By transforming your skill aspirations into a series of actionable and time-controlled tasks, you’ll be able to turn your ambitions into a real skill set.
Did you know? Learning a new skill increases the density of matter in the brain that helps to improve task performance, as well as stimulating neurons in the brain which speeds up electrical impulses. This means that the more you learn, the faster and easier it becomes to learn other skills, including skills that are seemingly unrelated. It can even help to prevent dementia.
Being able to adapt to change has always been key to survival. But, this is arguably even more important today in a world that is changing at such a fast pace.
“It is not the strongest of species that survive; nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the most adaptable to change.” – Charles Darwin
How to learn this skill: Be positive – by dropping negativity, including negative vocabulary, you’ll be able to act positively. This will keep your mind open to other perspectives and enable you to be more receptive to change. Be curious – ask more questions than you give answers. By being in a curiosity mindset, and questioning things often taken for granted, you’ll be more open to change.
When facing a particular project, it’s important to recognise all the possible obstacles, perspectives and outcomes. Use iMindMap 11’s Org. Chart View to map out all the potential hurdles and outcomes you can think of. By keeping an open mind and expecting the unexpected, you’ll be more prepared to adapt to the route to success, whatever comes your way.
Did you know? Doing something out of your comfort zone once a week will give you the opportunity to grow your curiosity and your ability to adapt. Similarly, travelling to places with different cultures will give you new experiences, challenge what you think you know about the world, and force you to adapt.
Being self-aware means that you have a strong sense of your personality, your strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and your motivations. Without having a good understanding of who and where you are now, it will be difficult to implement change in your life. Becoming self-aware will allow you to make more effective decisions about your personal growth within a wider context.
“I think self awareness is probably the most important thing towards being a champion.” – Billie Jean King
How to learn this skill: Looking at yourself objectively, begin by reflecting upon who you were in 2018. What did you achieve? What could you have improved upon? Consider both personal and professional aspects. With these in mind, write down goals for 2019 that you think someone would assign to you in order to make positive improvements.
Using iMindMap 11’s Radial Map View, enter one of your goals for 2019 as your central idea. Build around your goal with steps, habits or other adjustments you can make in order to achieve this goal. Continue to reflect upon events and your interactions as you put these steps into action, adapting them as you make new observations about yourself.
Did you know? If you’re struggling to view yourself objectively, personality and psychometric tests can be quite eye-opening in helping you to understand what traits you have.
So, whether you’re hoping to revitalise your health, or land a promotion at work, these 3 skills will be sure to get you on the right track to make 2019 a year of success.
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