How can you identify areas for upskilling?

Reflection is a powerful tool that many unfortunately struggle with. Considering the scarcity of resources, it is important to leverage insights about your own career journey through deep reflection and prioritize which areas should be given the needed attention. The good thing is that reflection is a skill that you get better at overtime. So dont worry if you don't do it right the first time. Value feedback from family, friends and associate to ubderstabd yourself better.

It's important to identify what you're good at, to continue to strengthen that area, as well as by exploring what opportunities you have to improve, or build a new skill completely. Sometimes, it's asking others that you work with, or for, or individuals that you strive to be more like, that can give you ideas on where to focus.

Think about what makes you happy, the skills you're itching to pick up, or the fields that grab your attention. Other places to look? Postings for jobs that you’re interested in and industry trends. All of these places will show you the skills that you’ll need to excel at your preferred job. Take a look and take inventory of what your current soft and hard skills are. Think about which skills you excel at and which you aren’t great at or are missing altogether. It’s that second group where you want to initially focus. Once you’re at least proficient in those skills, start looking at how you can further improve in the skills that you are already good at and start upgrading those skills.

One way to explore areas of potential interest is to subscribe to newsletters and blogs, find YouTube channels with similar interest, and follow individuals on platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram. Many of these avenues will provide insights on recent trends or information that help you learn and grow.

Stop being vague about your goals. Don't say you want to lose weight, or you want to get a degree, or you would like to become a manager. Put some meat behind those goals with the help of the SMART method. The more you dig into the elements of your high-level goals, the more clarity it brings, and reality to what you'd really like to do.

Remember that it's not always the most expensive resources that are the golden ticket to the knowledge you desire. Often times, there are free resources that are just as valuable and readily available.

Adapt and evolve with industry changes. Upskilling isn't a destination; it's a lifelong journey that enriches your career and personal growth.