Now I'm my late 40s, I'm looking to pick up a few new skills to take me through the next 40 years or so. Got to keep learning!
I generally enjoy learning new skills, and there's plenty of skills I'd like to develop - to list just a few, and in no particular order, and without any real categorical thought:
- coding
- drawing
- data science
- Permaculture
- eco-building
- electronics
- plumbing
- Tai Chi
- drumming
- I could go on, but they're some of the main ones.
I've got the time and the will to improve all of these, but I don't have enough to time to Master all of them, and I really want to focus on just one or two skills for the next 3-5 years to 'Master' - so I can use them effectively, maybe even make some dollar dollar out of said skills, and eventually pass them on.
What skills to learn?
Given that it probably takes a good year of one's waking life to master anything, that's 3 years at 8 hours a day, so it's worth getting the decision right.
I've boiled down the list of factors that will determine my choice to three:
- Redundancy - how long until the skill becomes useless? I don't want to spend three years learning something that AI will be able to do better than me in five years!
- Personal affinity - how suited am I too it? I know what my strengths are, I know what I'm hopeless at, I should pick something that fits what I'm already good at, something I enjoy and something that fits my ethics.
- Economic return - This partly a function of 1 and 2, but also down to 'utility' - what's the market for the skill, which depends on both demand and supply (other people with the skill).
Another consideration is how specialist I'd need/ want to go for the skill to be useful. Some of the skills I'm considering might start off very general (Permaculture) for example, but within that I might decide to specialise (compost building) - this is such a complex issue that I'm kind of keeping it in mind while thinking all of this through rather than writing about it, for now. It's too difficult ATM to compare this aspect for something like 'Permaculture' and 'coding' for example. I just cant' do it!
Redundancy
I've ruled out learning a number of 'heavier' skills because of fear of this, and the need to just keep on training perpetually. I was seriously looking at doing an MSC in data analysis for social policy, but ruled it out because I think it will be redundant in five years - Python programmers will be employed to do it, that's if Python itself isn't redundant by then, and I'm sure if I dedicated 5 years to learning that, I'd be having to constantly adapt and learn and feel like I'm always behind.
In contrast, if I dedicated ten years to learning Tai Chi, or even networked my way into FWBO I could be teaching in the meditative disciplines within 10 years, there'd be very little or no money in it, but such skills are the closest thing timeless there is.
Affinity
I've messed about with coding, but my brain and manner aren't really wired for it. I still want to learn a bit more, but I've put this into the 'hobbies category' for now - I might return to it in my late 50s.
I also ruled out retraining as a plumber or electrician for the same reason, but this time physical - I can't imagine my 50 year old body coping with all the bending down and tight nooks and crannies and awkward movements!
Economic return
Learning to code would be the highest return, but I just don't think it's for me - especially when you factor in the competition, same with trades - that's a young man's game, so I'm not so sure my res killing efforts are going to yield me any signficant money, it's kind of lucky that I don't need too much!
Permaculture
I've definitely hit on this as the field I'd most like to skill up in - in fact I've long wanted to buy myself some land and live off-grid, and that's the long term plan after all. It fits well:
- I can't see permaculture skills becoming redundant any time soon, if anything they should become more relevant in the future, with the economic downturn coming and most people hell-bent on killing the planet.
- I've got an affinity for it - I used to love my allotment, and this is just an upscaled version, I know I like it!
- AND there is some possible revenue in it, through teaching on Permaculture courses, maybe.
Finally, Permaculture is a very general area, so there's plenty of scope to specialize down in the general field - I'm quite interested in Aquaponics and learning more about off-grid energy, but I think my real niche might just end up being in natural burials, we all die, after all, but more of that sort of thing in a future post.
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I'm learning to Handstand!
I never mastered that, something I definitely can't do ATM thanks to my frozen shoulder, or maybe that's what I need to get rid of it?!?
Not sure so won’t advise anything, but it is tough and strenuous so could assist in building some muscle to assist.
I think I need to be able move it first of all!
Tai Chi or another "slow sport" is great for itself - the older we get, the more problems our body make. Knowing something like that where you can choose the exercise you can do or need is perfect - don't think of the next ten years , but in decades ;)
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Yes Tai Chi is something I need to get back to, I've done it on and off, just a matter of sticking with it this time!
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That is interesting thought....may be we are on same page of life where everything looking gloomy. In endeavour to learn long term skill, there might be chances of getting obsolete by the time we master it.....isnt it good to opt for short term and move Step by step and with the changing lifestyle...
Sewing - like the meme says "it's not a hobby, it's a post-apocalyptical life skill". How many people were happy in the last month's that they knew someone who was sewing masks?
Sometimes you can't plan for the future, you just have to hope that your range of skills is broad enough.
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Possibly, I'm just thinking it through ATM, I work slow, so long term thinking is best! Can't be dealing with anything too frenetically paced these days!
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I will say to go for something that suits your interest and can be done remotely.
Yes fair point, the remote factor is certainly worth considering!
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You'd have a lad for that!
Like a Chimney Lad?
I thought that was outlawed in the 1830s?
Whenever I get a plumber/carpenter/white goods delivery person at the house, they always have a lad with them, usually one that needs help remembering where they left their screwdriver or how to get a double divan base around the twist in the stair, but they're very nimble.
Having seen your tracking data, data science will suit you well :)
I think it would, but the old redundancy of skills is a worry!
Nice learning list.
Any goal could be achieved provided we give in our best.
I'm currently learning how photography, Videography and graphics design