Don’t you have a nagging feeling sometimes—the desire to learn something new? But the problem remains that you don’t feel like going through the lengthy YouTube tutorials due to overwhelming commitments.
What if I told you that you can by dedicating just 30 minutes of your day unlock a new world full of skills and knowledge? Interesting, right?
Nevertheless, you should keep one thing in mind—you probably won’t become the master of something in 30 minutes flat, but you can absolutely make significant progress by just initiating. Think of it like a daily investment. Dedicating just 30 minutes in your 24 hours can help you become consistent over time.
Making the Most of Your 30 Minutes
As kids, you were taught to learn something new each day. Remember when you participated in extracurricular activities, experiments in the classroom, or took part in cultural programs?
As you stepped into adulthood, you adopted a new routine that rarely changed.
Benedict Carey in his insightful book “How We Learn,” suggests that following routines can clash with our brain’s capacity to develop new skills. While some people may argue it’s worth considering that sometimes happiness depends on the capacity to explore and learn new things.
What Can You Learn in 30 Minutes Every Day?
Pick something from the following and give it a try. Let’s see how much you can tick off!
1. Playing Guitar
If you have 30 minutes each day, you can try out your favorite songs on the guitar or ukulele. You can find quick YouTube tutorials to understand the method. Although learning guitar or ukulele requires a little patience at the start, you can begin by learning the chords: A, D, E, C, G. Remember that quality and consistency are the keys to learning any type of instrument.
2. Practice Speed Reading
If you are someone who is a visual learner then speed reading speeds up the rate at which you take in the new information. If you do not know—speed reading is a method where you scan written information to understand the phrases and sentences instead of actually reading word by word.
The average speed of reading is 250 words per minute and with speed reading, you can go up to 400 to 700 words per minute!
There are speed reading apps that bold the letters which you need to emphasize to see the word in your head.
3. Artistic Pursuits
Engaging in artistic pursuits is a great way to go creative. Whether you wish to sketch with charcoal, mold clay, or use a paintbrush, art can be really fulfilling.
Drawing allows you to translate your observations and imagination into paper, and practicing this 30 minutes a day can refine your ability to depict textures, and emotions, and hone your skills.
Painting invites you to express your innermost thoughts and feelings on a blank canvas. The palette of colors creates a unique atmosphere, setting the mood, and weaving intricate narratives with each brushstroke.
4. Mindfulness
Agree or not, modern life is full of distractions and that’s why practicing mindfulness every day for 30 minutes will help you focus and improve your well-being.
Sure, you must have so much about mindfulness in videos, books, articles, conferences, and so on. But, if you commit 30 minutes or less each day you will notice positive changes in your stress level, mood, and general well-being.
All you have to do is:
- Set your timer for 20 minutes
- Sit somewhere quiet
- Find a comfortable posture (your goal is to stay relaxed)
- Start with a long breath in and breathe out
- Recognize what it is like to be in this moment
- Repeat this exercise two more times
5. Writing
Writing is a superpower that lets you express yourself either by journaling or narrating amazing stories. Let us tell you how writing can change your life in just 30 minutes:
- Do you have a million thoughts in your mind? Writing can help you express yourself freely.
- Do you love a good story? Try writing it yourself by creating your own world and characters.
- Are you seeking for a more creative outlet? Maybe you should try your hand in writing poetry.
Writing allows you to organize your thoughts. The more you write, the better your thinking becomes. So, grab a pen and paper and see where the world takes you!
How to Learn a New Skill Every Day in 30 Minutes?
Following are some tips to maximize your 30-minute learning session:
- Choose a Particular Skill: Don’t pick something too lengthy or too broad. Concentrate on a well-defined part of a bigger skill. For instance, instead of learning photography, you can choose to learn basic camera settings.
- Find the Right Resources: The Internet is a bank brimming with incredible learning resources. So, you can explore online tutorials, informative blogs, or crash courses.
- Become Action-Oriented: Try not to passively consume information. Engage with the material, take notes, try out new techniques, and complete the exercises.
- Track Your Progress: Watching your improvement can be your great motivator. You can track your progress by keeping a journal, creating a progress chart, or tracking the lessons you have completed.
Ready to Get Started?
Studies show that shorter, focused sessions are more effective than longer, unfocused ones. That’s why 30 minutes allows you to dive into new learning and grasp the concept.
Pick something you have always wanted to try and dedicate your 30 minutes to watch yourself bloom. You might surprise yourself!
Feature Image by Andrea Piacquadio
About Author
Nitya Jain is an enthusiastic content writer and a life-long learner with an undying curiosity to explore new things. She loves fresh humour, just like her tea! When not writing, you'll find her raiding book stores or hopping cafes in town.
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