In 2012 I tore multiple ligaments in my right knee and was off work for 8 months. After watching every greatest baseball highlight video on YouTube, I finally decided to learn something that might be useful. So I learned how to create a website. This led to the creation of Cafecito Caliente on September 2, 2012 (which happens to be my Mom’s birthday).
Many of you were forced to work from home due to the coronavirus. Some of you lost your job. My challenge to you is to take this time to reflect, but to also begin taking new steps that lead to perhaps new adventures or maybe, even a new set of skills. Much like the game of chess, you need to think a couple moves ahead as the world may look much different in a few months than it does today.
So many of us, if we lost our jobs might be lost. I can say personally, I don’t have a college degree, can’t sell, no photography skills, no graphics abilities, can’t do taxes or accounting, can’t speak Spanish fluently etc. YouTube offers ways to learn to do anything you might have a passion for. Whether it be learning skills to help yourself, or your career, now is a good time to up your skills.
Maybe you wanted to learn how to change your own oil or brakes? Maybe, you could learn how to do excel spreadsheets, learn another language, or learn how to use Snapchat or TikTok? Perhaps you really don’t know how to cook and need to learn a couple simple dishes? Maybe you work cleaning or landscaping for someone else and think you could do it better by starting your own business?
Maybe you have a decent job with benefits which would allow you to take on a “side hustle” and build something for your family and you? Maybe you wanted to use your creative juices and turn your love of photography or planning events into a small business? Maybe you need a new fitness routine or, just plain need one? So many need to learn the definition of budgeting. I will leave that one right there.
This isn’t really about time as you have always had the time. Walking Dead, Power, Empire along with all the Dancing with the Star shows were heavily watched over the last few years. You have the time if you were laid off and if you are working from home or are “Essential”, then ask yourself if that TV program is “essential” to your future? Maybe it is and that’s okay. We all need a release.
The world is going to open sometime and sooner than you can sing “Happy Birthday” while washing your hands, its back to work, chaos, traffic and no time. Just make sure you don’t go back to excuses as to why you didn’t learn something. YouTube. In case you didn’t get the memo, its free.
So what have you always wanted to learn? And why not learn it now? – off my soapbox