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Confidence / Confidence at Work / Lesson 36
LESSON 36 · CONFIDENCE AT WORK

Learn One New Skill Every Quarter

Thirty-two easy ways to learn one new skill every quarter, a simple habit that keeps you growing and valued.

Small learning adds up. Four skills a year changes a career.

40 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan
Start with tip 1
Jump to the 7-day plan

40 tips that really help

These ideas come from Lean In (Sheryl Sandberg), The Confidence Code (Katty Kay and Claire Shipman), Never Split the Difference (Chris Voss), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.

Photo for the tip: Learn one new skill every quarter
TIP 1

Learn one new skill every quarter

Skills fade and needs change, so steady learning protects your confidence and your career. One new skill every three months is realistic: about 15 minutes a day adds up. The World Economic Forum’s reports on the future of jobs regularly stress continuous reskilling.

TRY THIS
Choose one skill to learn this quarter and block 15 minutes a day for it.
Photo for the tip: Pick a skill
TIP 2

Pick a skill

Useful.

TRY THIS
Choose.
Photo for the tip: Link it to a goal
TIP 3

Link it to a goal

Career.

TRY THIS
Connect.
Photo for the tip: Choose a format
TIP 4

Choose a format

Course, book, mentor.

TRY THIS
Pick.
Photo for the tip: Choose a free option
TIP 5

Choose a free option

Library, online.

TRY THIS
Search.
Photo for the tip: Set a schedule
TIP 6

Set a schedule

Daily.

TRY THIS
Block.
Photo for the tip: Set a target
TIP 7

Set a target

Project.

TRY THIS
Define.
Photo for the tip: Start small
TIP 8

Start small

Basics.

TRY THIS
Begin.
Photo for the tip: Make a project
TIP 9

Make a project

Real.

TRY THIS
Create.
Photo for the tip: Share your progress
TIP 10

Share your progress

Public.

TRY THIS
Post.
Photo for the tip: Find a study buddy
TIP 11

Find a study buddy

Together.

TRY THIS
Ask.
Photo for the tip: Take notes
TIP 12

Take notes

Summaries.

TRY THIS
Write.
Photo for the tip: Teach someone
TIP 13

Teach someone

Solidify.

TRY THIS
Explain.
Photo for the tip: Test yourself
TIP 14

Test yourself

Quizzes.

TRY THIS
Try.
Photo for the tip: Celebrate
TIP 15

Celebrate

Milestones.

TRY THIS
Mark.
Photo for the tip: Avoid collecting courses
TIP 16

Avoid collecting courses

Finish one.

TRY THIS
Complete.
Photo for the tip: Avoid perfectionism
TIP 17

Avoid perfectionism

Good enough.

TRY THIS
Move on.
Photo for the tip: Avoid comparing
TIP 18

Avoid comparing

Own pace.

TRY THIS
Focus.
Photo for the tip: Scene: communication
TIP 19

Scene: communication

Presentations.

TRY THIS
Practise.
Photo for the tip: Scene: data
TIP 20

Scene: data

Spreadsheets.

TRY THIS
Learn basics.
Photo for the tip: Scene: writing
TIP 21

Scene: writing

Clear emails.

TRY THIS
Practise.
Photo for the tip: Scene: languages
TIP 22

Scene: languages

Daily app.

TRY THIS
Start.
Photo for the tip: Scene: technology
TIP 23

Scene: technology

New tool.

TRY THIS
Try.
Photo for the tip: Scene: leadership
TIP 24

Scene: leadership

Course.

TRY THIS
Enrol.
Photo for the tip: Scene: design
TIP 25

Scene: design

Basics.

TRY THIS
Explore.
Photo for the tip: Scene: negotiation
TIP 26

Scene: negotiation

Book.

TRY THIS
Read.
Photo for the tip: Scene: project management
TIP 27

Scene: project management

Methods.

TRY THIS
Learn.
Photo for the tip: Scene: finance
TIP 28

Scene: finance

Basics.

TRY THIS
Study.
Photo for the tip: Scene: first aid
TIP 29

Scene: first aid

Useful.

TRY THIS
Attend.
Photo for the tip: Scene: low motivation
TIP 30

Scene: low motivation

Tiny sessions.

TRY THIS
Start.
Photo for the tip: Scene: busy times
TIP 31

Scene: busy times

Keep minimal.

TRY THIS
Protect.
Photo for the tip: Scene: plateau
TIP 32

Scene: plateau

Change method.

TRY THIS
Adjust.
Photo for the tip: Scene: success
TIP 33

Scene: success

Next skill.

TRY THIS
Plan.
Photo for the tip: Ask your manager
TIP 34

Ask your manager

Support, time.

TRY THIS
Request.
Photo for the tip: Use micro-learning
TIP 35

Use micro-learning

Short.

TRY THIS
Try.
Photo for the tip: Use podcasts
TIP 36

Use podcasts

Commute.

TRY THIS
Listen.
Photo for the tip: Use books
TIP 37

Use books

Weekends.

TRY THIS
Read.
Photo for the tip: Be patient
TIP 38

Be patient

Skills take time.

TRY THIS
Keep going.
Photo for the tip: Seek help
TIP 39

Seek help

Mentor.

TRY THIS
Ask.
Photo for the tip: Close with growth
TIP 40

Close with growth

Say, “Fifteen minutes a day.”

TRY THIS
Write it.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many everyday situations.

CHOOSE

“This quarter I will learn spreadsheets.”

PLAN

“I will study twenty minutes a day.”

PRACTISE

“I will use it in a real task.”

SHARE

“I learned something new today.”

THANK

“Thanks for the tip.”

CLOSE

“I finished my learning goal.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Choose a skill
DAY 2
Set a quarter goal
DAY 3
Make a weekly plan
DAY 4
Use a good course
DAY 5
Practise on real tasks
DAY 6
Share what you learn
DAY 7
Celebrate

Further reading

  • Lean In (Sheryl Sandberg)
  • The Confidence Code (Katty Kay and Claire Shipman)
  • Never Split the Difference (Chris Voss)

The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.

← All Confidence at Work lessons
Next lesson: Network Without Feeling Fake →

More lessons in “Confidence at Work”

Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.

← Previous: Set a Career Goal You Believe InNext: Network Without Feeling Fake →

  1. Prepare Your Three Stories
  2. Answer "Tell Me About Yourself" Well
  3. Handle the Question You Fear
  4. Ask Great Questions Back
  5. Talk About Your Strengths Without Bragging
  6. Recover From a Bad Answer
  7. Follow Up With a Winning Note
  8. Speak in the First Ten Minutes
  9. Prepare One Point Before Every Meeting
  10. Disagree With a Colleague Kindly
  11. Handle Being Interrupted
  12. Share Credit and Claim Yours
  13. Speak Up in a Big Group
  14. Look Confident in Video Meetings
  15. Ask for Feedback Regularly
  16. Receive Criticism Without Crumbling
  17. Ask for a Raise With Evidence
  18. Share Ideas Without Fear
  19. Say No to Extra Work Politely
  20. Report Problems Early
  21. Show Your Value Every Month
  22. Introduce Yourself in a New Team
  23. Make Friends at Work
  24. Ask for Help Without Shame
  25. Handle a Difficult Colleague
  26. Stop Being the Office Pushover
  27. Celebrate Others and Be Celebrated
  28. Build Your Reputation Quietly
  29. Take on a Stretch Project
  30. Overcome Impostor Syndrome
  31. Lead Without a Title
  32. Give Your First Presentation
  33. Mentor Someone Newer
  34. Handle a Mistake at Work
  35. Set a Career Goal You Believe In
  36. Learn One New Skill Every Quarter
  37. Network Without Feeling Fake
  38. Say Yes to Opportunities That Scare You
  39. Protect Your Energy and Balance
  40. Your Confidence at Work Plan
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