The most important goal of your 20s
Master this one thing to get the jobs you want and earn more in your twenties.
Your twenties afford you freedom to explore the world and make mistakes. You can take risks and experiment with what works for you. This is the best time for you to carve out your niche and make money. Lots of it. To do this, you need to set only one goal.
What is it, you ask?
It is to deep-learn one new skill every year (I’ll also share with you how to do this).
It can be anything. Copywriting, video editing, playing the ukulele, pet-grooming…doesn’t matter what you do. But do it so well, people automatically think of you when they think of the skill.
Why should you master a new skill?
Four reasons:
- Make more money
- Build social capital
- Get jobs faster
- Cultivate an identity
When you are applying for that dream job, extra skills will make your application stand out. Yeah, you learn new things every day, especially if you’re going to college. But nothing beats having hard skills.
Here’s a reality check for you. There are thousands of talented and smart young people like you. So what makes YOU different?
The extra skills you pick up. The connections you make as you learn. These will get you your first gig, your first job, or a glowing recommendation.
If you are a teenager reading this, good! Now’s the time to get an edge over your peers.
A little disclaimer: You don’t have to be a world-renowned expert at what you do. That will come later. Right now, you only need to be better at it than your peers. As a young person, what are you bringing to the table?
“If it’s flipping hamburgers at McDonald’s, be the best hamburger flipper in the world. Whatever it is you do you have to master your craft.”- Snoop Dogg
So how do you deep-learn something?
It’s a four-step process. Grab a paper and pen.
Step One: Identify and research.
Choose a skill you’re interested in learning. I use a little checklist to kickstart my learning process at the beginning of every year. But you don’t have to wait for the new year. Start now and keep at it for exactly 365 days.
So the checklist goes like this:
- Name of skill:
- Is this something I am interested in?
- Will people pay me someday for this skill?
- Is there a market for this skill where I live or online?
If you answered yes to any of the above, give yourself a pat on the back. You have taken the first step towards personal development.
Step Two: Network. Network. Network.
Seek out and speak to people in your area who are experts in this skill. If you want to learn copywriting, look up copywriters in your area. Send them an email and explain to them that you want to learn about copywriting. Arrange a coffee meeting with them.
Most people are happy to connect with young’uns looking to learn. Ask relevant questions about the field. Ask them everything you want to know.
If one person rejects you, keep trying. There are others. You might even land yourself an internship!
PS- Create a LinkedIn profile and be active on it.
Step Three: Learn and grow.
Build your skill. This is crucial, of course. Once you have identified what you want to learn — start learning.
Nope, I am not asking you to take up more schoolwork. I am asking you to spend 30 minutes every day learning. You can spare 30 minutes. Shove your excuses where the sun doesn’t shine!
You can find online courses on Udemy, Coursera, Edx, or even read books at your local library. If you are able to, find a mentor who can teach you the ropes. You can work for them in return for mentorship.
Step Four: Commitment and consistency.
You cannot get anywhere without these two. Spend every single day, rain or shine, honing your skill. At the end of the year marvel at how far you’ve come. Do mini-projects along the way to build your portfolio.
Above all, get constructive feedback from people inside and outside the industry. You can’t grow without feedback.
Learning is a long-term game…
It doesn’t matter if you suck at the beginning and eat dirt every time. Keep trying. Keep honing your skills. You’ll get there.
You won’t be good at what you do immediately, but at the end of 365 days you will definitely know more about something than you did before.
You are going to be one year older in 365 days whether you like it or not. So you might as well learn those skills and hustle your way to fame, fortune and a better lifestyle.
What skill are you going to learn this year? Share with me in the comments below!
