Should you be learning something “new”?

Keeping a blog running and ensuring that it stays profitable has taught me one thing. You must keep learning new things. 

This is nothing new and you might have heard it from a lot of people. A lot of people in different fields of work will tell you the same thing. They could not hope to be successful if they did not continue to learn and grow. I can vouch for this myself. When you run a blog, you have to live in an environment that shifts and changes. New technologies, social media platforms, advertisers keep coming up and you need to learn how to use them. Otherwise you will stop being profitable and stop growing.

Why you should be learning too…

How this applies to you is probably this. You want to earn some money. You want to find extra work and probably online, since you are reading this. Well, making money online is definitely a very viable option. It’s even a very cool way to do it.

However, you have to have something to offer. You want to be a writer, you want to do graphic designs, you want to make webpages, do some stock photography, make short videos or play an instrument. Thats the beauty of the internet. The choices of the things you can do to make money are so varied and vast. But you have to bring something to that table. That is a must.

Figure out which area of work interests you. Target your strengths and interests. There are many ways to learn more about things you want to work with. There are part time courses, online courses etc. Although, credentials are always good, you do not necessarily need a degree or a diploma. Many times you need just the knowledge.

You see wherever and how so ever you work, you need to have some knowledge or skill to sell. Thats what makes money most of the time.

Alright so you need to learn more. But learn WHAT?

Here are a few pointers that might help you in the right direction.

• Maybe a vocation interests you, something you always wanted to do. Well, its never too late to start, even though you might feel like it is.
• There might be a local business or institution that you might like to work for. Find out what it takes to qualify for the job.
• Some jobs don’t need any specialised education. Lot of small business and firms will hire people with basic skills that they are good at. But qualities like multi-tasking and good organisational abilities always come in handy. Scores of people offer their services as a virtual assistant on online freelancing sites like fiverr.com. They are not usually not exceptionally trained people. They are people with good communication skills, who know how to handle and respond to emails, phone calls, typing out letter, handling basic computer software like Word and Excel etc.
• If you want to freelance online, then taking internet courses will also put you in a strong position to find work.

The though of studying further can be daunting. Specially if you are thinking of advancing your formal education. Part-time courses and internet courses might seem less scary. But then the flip side is that you have to be disciplined enough to see yourself through an internet course. It’s easy to fall behind when there is no pressure from your peers.

Learning something new might call for a change in your life. But that is not necessarily a bad thing. You might meet new people and make more friends. But that’s just a benefit and not the real goal. The biggest benefit will be the financial security you find.

Create Multiple Streams Of Income

This is one of the biggest advantages of doing more than just one thing. It is quiet possible to create multiple streams of income when you utilize your various skills. For example, you can hold a job AND run a blog. In fact, working online or working for yourself has a lot to do with creating multiple streams of income.

Perhaps you can have a weekend or a part time hobby that makes you an extra income on the side. You see, I have realised something over the years. You can take almost any passion or hobby and make money out of it, as long as you make something special and creative out of it. There is probably a market for it out there somewhere.

You knit? Sew? Woodwork? Bake? Write? Sing? Play an instrument?  Wonderful. They are all money making hobbies.

Do write in if you have any questions or something to share with us. Your comments are always very welcome. I wish you all the best.