Most working adults have only a small amount of down time. They must also stay sharp by educating themselves in their field and learning new strategies to cope with the challenges they face on a daily basis.
How To Relax
Taking time out to relax and also learn something new can be a highly productive activity that takes care of both goals at the same time.
Highly-active people should prioritize finding a moment within their schedule to enrich their learning experience and relieve stress in order to become more productive.
Below are some of the ways time-constricted go-getters can open their eyes to new information and get some much-needed “me time” while they are at it.
Free eCourses
iTunes U is one of the more underutilized apps in the iOS environment. While college tuitions continue to skyrocket to costs normally reserved for purchasing small homes, the iTunes U app lets people learn in the comfort of their own home at their own pace for free. You can listen to course lectures by leading scholars from prestigious institutions like Stanford, Oxford and Yale. The app also features public lectures and interviews as well as course materials so eager learners can create their own syllabus.
Those wanting to pursue subjects further can enroll in free or affordable classes found in online learning platforms like OpenCulture and Udemy.
Online Learning Communities
There are plenty of forums and websites dedicated to the sole purpose of discovering knowledge and increasing the depth of understanding for certain subjects. Quora allows visitors to search for answers to important questions from all fields of knowledge. Entrepreneurs can find advice and answers for common struggles business owners face.
Other sites like Reddit allow community members to educate each other and share eye-opening links and materials. One particularly popular section for learning new things is the “Explain Like I’m Five” page, where users break down complex ideas and problems into easy to understand terms.
Podcasts and Audio Books
Podcasts can become a great ritual for passively learning information while you exercise, lay on the couch or drive to and from work. Many podcasts are episodic in nature, letting you keep up with developments in a particular field of interest or subjects that cater to the host’s tastes. You also get to hear about recent developments and strategies in an entertaining and engaging format. Consider starting with a program like Entrepreneur on Fire to get business-specific insights and branching out from there.
Audio books can similarly offer a treasure trove of learning opportunities for people who like to multitask or maximize the productivity of your commute.
YouTube Videos
YouTube is not just for cat videos anymore! Okay, there are still millions of hilarious cat videos, but industry leaders and service providers have begun to recognize the power that video content holds. Demand for videos over text-based content has risen, and brands are responding to that demand with relevant, informative and entertaining videos that elaborate on a whole host of topical subjects.
Other valuable videos can be found by searching for TED Talks lectures from people who have deep levels of expertise and experience — as well as interesting stories to tell. Or, you can visit the Khan Academy channel for lessons on all sorts of topics, from physics to finance.
As you can see, the Internet age is ripe with opportunities to find a moment to unwind while sharpening your business skills. Make room in your schedule for personal learning time to cultivate a habit of self-betterment and enrichment.
