Recession and self-development - let's do this!

Most countries are on the verge of a recession. Investing in yourself is one of the most important things to do during a recession.

Try this design theory-inspired practical exercise to get an idea of what you should potentially invest time in developing: Set a timer on your phone and prepare a pen and paper. Set aside 5 minutes for each of these questions and simply jot down key words on whatever comes to mind. Try not to filter your own responses; this is just for you; simply write things down.

1) What things or topics do I really enjoy reading up on / or what videos do I enjoy scrolling through on TicToc, what makes me stop scrolling and read about? The key to answering this question is that it can be anything. Don't be too hard on yourself if you're researching the best way to eat your macaroni and cheese. Make a list of everything! Provide key words. Limit yourself to 5 minutes and don't stop until the timer goes off.

2) What are the skills or tasks that I am likely to be paid to perform? This does not have to be your current profession; simply consider what you could do for money if you were to do it hypothetically. For example, because I am a good driver, I am likely to be able to use my car for dash or uber - fantastic! Make a note of it. Limit yourself to 5 minutes and don't stop until the timer goes off.

3) What problems in the world, my country, or my community deserve to be solved right now? Limit yourself to 5 minutes and don't stop until the timer goes off.

This simple exercise allows you to create a mental picture of your skill set and interests.

Take a short break and then return to what you wrote down. If you consider the first question about the topics you enjoy, is there a way to connect what you enjoy to possibly solving some problems? Take a few minutes to circle the skills that you believe can help you solve a problem. Do the same for questions two and three - are there any skills you already have that can help you solve any problem? We are linking skills to problems because having a drive or passion for something bigger than yourself has been shown to increase your likelihood of sticking it out and learning more about that topic or thing. Simply choose the top three skills you want to improve and follow the instructions below to learn more about them. Write out a plan of action on how you will learn the skills, physically book time out in your diary to remind you to return to this commitment. Make it stick by not overdoing it. You are here to invest in yourself - make it worth it! 

As a learning and development professional, I understand the value of ongoing learning and development, especially during difficult economic times such as a recession. However, not everyone can afford to enroll in expensive courses or programs. There are many ways to learn for free, and in this blog post, I will provide some practical tips and resources to assist you in doing so. 

1) Use Online Learning Platforms: There are numerous online learning platforms that provide free courses and resources, including Coursera, Udemy, Khan Academy, edX, and many others. These platforms provide courses in a variety of fields, including business, technology, and creative arts. You can enroll in any course and learn at your own pace.

2) Join Online Communities: Another excellent way to learn for free is to participate in online communities. Many online communities are devoted to specific topics or fields, where you can connect with other students and experts. You can learn a lot from other people's experiences and insights, and you can also get your questions answered. LinkedIn groups and Reddit subreddits are excellent places to begin.

3) Watch Free YouTube Videos: Another excellent learning resource is YouTube. There are numerous channels devoted to various topics, and many creators provide free tutorials and lessons. Some channels have playlists dedicated to specific topics, while others provide in-depth courses. Use the search function to find videos that are related to what you want to learn.

4) Read E-books and Articles: Many free e-books and articles covering a wide range of topics are available online. They can be found on websites such as Project Gutenberg, Google Books, and Open Library. You can also look for blogs and websites that are related to your topic of interest.

5) Use Free Webinars and Workshops: Many organizations and experts provide free webinars and workshops where you can learn about specific topics. You can find them on social media or by conducting a quick internet search. Attending these events provides an excellent opportunity to learn from experts and ask questions.

Learning does not have to be expensive. You can learn a lot for free using the resources available. You can increase your knowledge and skills for free by using online learning platforms, joining online communities, watching YouTube videos, reading e-books and articles, and attending free webinars and workshops.

Here are some free resources that you can use to get started:

Coursera: https://www.coursera.org/

Udemy: https://www.udemy.com/

Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/

edX: https://www.edx.org/

LinkedIn Groups: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/

Subreddits: https://www.reddit.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/

Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/

Google Books: https://books.google.com/

Open Library: https://openlibrary.org/

Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/

Happy learning!