Learning by doing is a great way to try something new, but the only way to improve is through investing real effort in the topic of interest. Most of the time, that answer is, well, by learning. It doesn’t need to be in a formalized way like a degree program since there are so many opportunities to learn through a mobile device.
Here’s what’s on our list for 2019:
Intensive Learning — Want to take up what you have to the next level or pick up a new skill?
Language — Busuu and Drops both are interactive platforms to help jump-start into a new language, from beginner to proficiency. Busuu has an enabled platform for direct feedback from a native speaker while Drops is a visually gamified language learning experience.
New Skills — The Great Courses and Master Class — both leverage celebrities and professionals in the field for full content courses from learning entirely new skills, to even mastering them.
Profession Boosters — +Acumen is offering an array of free typically paid-for courses like Design Thinking with IDEO while LinkedIn Learning has Lynda embedded with a Premium Membership. These are both great ways to up-skills and complement your professional qualifications.
Soft Skills — Working on the inside stuff makes what’s on the outside a lot better, and easier!
Blinkist — Ever have a list of soft-skill self-improvement books you’d always heard and never got a chance to read? Blinkist makes it easy through audio and written 15-minute bites of a full book. If still interested, you can order the book from the app.
SY Partners — This organization offers a ton of free resources from facilitation tools to gaining stronger self-awareness of skills and goals.
The School of Life — A school and organization that teaches the things that were implied when growing up, but never formally (and maybe properly) learned. Their YouTube channel is only the beginning — the website offers tons of great reads, while their locations around the world host an array of Emotional Intelligence-themed courses.
Ideas through Email — The emails you actually want to read.
Creative Mornings — Creative Mornings is a breakfast lecture series for the creative community. Their weekly email is loaded with embedded links to new concepts, artists, and ideas.
Seth Godin — Seth, founder of altMBA has a daily short thought sent via email. Nice way to perceive something differently and challenge your mindset.
Mark Manson — Known for his bestselling book, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Manson’s occasional emails showcase an authentic perspective on some pretty relevant topics. For example, his 2018 review of the 63 books he’d read.
Things to Hear — Podcasts are amazing space-fillers to listen to during a walk, morning commute, or afternoon break.
You are Not so Smart — Guests who challenge and change the way we think about things which we don’t often think about. A celebration of science and self-delusion.
How I Built This with Guy Raz — Stories behind some of the best-known companies, somehow Guy Raz becomes a friend through these audio journeys. Great for understanding a little bit more behind some figures who have come to change the world we live in. Have a look at Ted Radio Hour, also hosted by Raz.
HBR IdeaCast — Weekly podcasts from Harvard Business Review guests who are disrupting, challenging, and re-creating the way we do business.
Streaming Channels — Netflix, YouTube, and so many more channel and show-based platforms make it simple to learn through entertainment.
Tidying Up with Marie Kondo — A new Netflix series focusing on helping to better enable people to ‘free’ up their spaces, in a beautifully mindful manner.
Shots of Awe with Jason Silva — One of the most notable futurists of our time, captures perceptions and misperceptions of reality.
Abstract: The Art of Design — An exploration of the art and science of design through captivating process and story.
An extra: Poetry.
See how Reading fiction helps your career, but reading poetry helps more.
U4 is a social growth community for women. We believe that the power of community and education can help women achieve more and become better versions of themselves.
How are you leaning into this year and what are you learning? Comment below, or connect with us!
