Are your skills growing stagnating? Mine were too.
5 ways to grow any skill set when things have plateaued.
Almost 2 years ago, alone in my room playing my piano, a sudden realisation hit me…
I had hit a point of stagnation. I needed to get lessons.
I had been playing for nearly a year and my skills had started to plateau. AGAIN. As they had done several times before.
I was self-taught.
There was only so much I could do alone.
But with this dire need to progress further, I decided to make some life-altering decisions.
With a newfound plan to advance my skill set, I decided to get another job to fund the lessons I needed to advance.
Two weeks later I was in. New job acquired and lessons booked.
Through the discipline it took to advance my piano skills here are the 5 methods I’d recommend to stop any of your skills from going stagnant.
1. Finding a mentor or coach
Finding a mentor or coach in the field you are learning is the top way to improve yourself. A coach will advise you, provide you with guidance, show you opportunities to look out for and give you constructive criticism to help your improvement and progress in your field.
When I began teaching myself how to play piano, I did well. However, my progress was limited. There was only so much I could learn myself.
After finding a teacher near me, within 6 months my skills improved threefold.
Coaches can provide you with new insight and encourage you to keep up your skill level and stay competitive. I would not have the level of competence in piano I have today without my teacher.
If you find that a mentor or a coach you’ve chosen doesn’t resonate with you, don’t hesitate to find someone more suited to your style. You may have to adapt though.
After all, being with the wrong people won’t only be a waste of your money, it’ll be a waste of your time.
2. Join a club
Joining a club of like-minded individuals (or a professional organization) who share the same skill which you are trying to learn is invaluable.
Not only does it allow you to check in with others regularly to stay on top of your skills, it allows you to connect and collaborate with others who understand what you are trying to achieve.
It will allow you to build a strong network of friends who are on the same quest. On these long journeys, you’ll build meaningful relationships.
Hanging around individuals with similar aspirations slowly starts to rewire your brain. It changes your thought processes. It helps you think differently, more creatively.
Regularly connecting with others will provide you with the motivation to stay on track.
After all,
‘Great minds think alike’.
3. Attend conferences and seminars
Attending conferences and seminars will allow you to expand your knowledge and skill set.
Not only will you get the chance to network with other like-minded individuals (as mentioned previously), but it’ll allow you to gain useful resources that could be used to develop your skills.
Conversations At conferences people will often recommend resources which they have used, talk about the latest developments in the industry and provide you with opportunities which you can grasp.
Go with a friend or take the leap and go alone. After all, the goal is to gather as much information as possible to improve your skills.
4. Networking with professionals
Finding and networking with professionals in the same area of study as you is an essential part of skill-building and in turn personal growth.
By connecting with others learning similar skills, it means you can work off each other, help each other with problems, collaborate and pull resources together.
Other professionals may know more than you so when meeting anyone never let your ego get in the way.
Don’t reinvent the wheel. Don’t just learn from your mistakes, learn lessons from everyone else’s stories and experiences.
Be a sponge. Wisdom and knowledge are stepping stones to success.
5. Invest in quality resources
Investing in quality tools and resources takes your skills to the next level. It’s an essential part of honing any skill.
Yes, I had the skill to play the keyboard when I first started, however, when I first started playing piano my skills were inconsequential. I had not yet adjusted to weighted keys or to the effect of playing on a stringed instrument instead of an electrical one.
Whether you’re a guitarist looking for a better guitar, a web designer upgrading your software and computer, or a painter buying higher quality brushed and paint, investing in quality gear makes practice more efficient while also increasing the satisfaction you get from your practice.
It’s not a waste of money if you use the equipment regularly.
You’re investing in your future, the future of your skills.
With better equipment, you build a better portfolio.
Thank you for taking the time to read my article. If you found it helpful and think someone else could find it helpful too, please share it and 👏🏽👏🏽.
A writer mainly on self-development. I occasionally write on personal experiences, interest and other topics too. If you are interested in self-development, then please read some of my other articles (linked below). Enjoy.
