Learning shouldn’t be limited to classrooms. We all know that but as the daily grind takes over, learning often takes a backseat. Many people ApEx spoke to confessed that without classes to attend and the threat of exams looming over their heads, they weren’t very likely to try and learn something new by themselves. While that is understandable, there are some skills that can possibly give your career a boost as well as help you feel confident about yourself. The best part is that you don’t even have to spend a lot of time every day to learn these essential skills. Just a few minutes of daily practice are enough. We recommend five handy skills that can help you become better at what you do and force you to be a little creative too, which is always a good thing.

A new language

Studies have shown that learning a new language, activates different parts of your brain and slows down age related changes. Nowadays, it’s not difficult to learn a new language from the comfort of your home. There are many apps that take you through the basics of any language you want to learn in just a few minutes a day. Learning a new language might also help you be considered for promotions especially if you work for multinational companies or open up new job opportunities. You might also be able to look into cultural exchange programs, things who previously had no access to. Additionally, learning a new language is also fun and engaging.

Basic photography skills

All of us take pictures on our phones, but how many of us can actually say that the photos we take are pleasing to look at? Learn the basics of photography through tutorials on YouTube or you can even ask a professional photographer if they would let you tag along during their assignments. Most photographers will let you assist them in their projects. There are many workshops and courses, both physical and virtual, that you can join to pick up a few tips and tricks. You don’t need fancy equipment to take good photos. Just your phone will do.

Graphic design

Graphic design is used in a wide range of fields from marketing and publishing to product design. It’s a great tool of visual communication and thus more important today than ever before. No matter which profession you are in, it helps to have some knowledge of graphic design. Are you interested in print or web design or is it motion graphics that holds a special appeal? Figure out which path you wanna take and get on board with some courses. Learning graphic design is a mentally stimulating activity.

Sewing and stitching

Many people don’t know how to mend a popped button and it’s unfortunate because you end up spending a lot of time and money fixing small things. We believe sewing and stitching are skills everyone should possess. And it’s not hard to learn either. But if you can work with a needle and thread, why not take things a step further by learning how to sew and stitch some basic items. This is something you can do as a family activity as well. Think about it, won’t it be fun to wear clothes that you made yourself? And if things turn out well, you can even start thinking of running a small clothes business in the future. 

Public speaking

Everyone, irrespective of who you are and what you do, can benefit from a public speaking course. It will make you more confident and better able to express yourself. These days, many organizations and corporate houses have realized the importance of public speaking and hold workshops and training for their staff. You can also learn public speaking by listening to experts in the field and picking up pointers on how to be a more effective communicator. This is a soft skill that has huge benefits.