Upskilling Unleashed: Overcoming False Beliefs and Building Confidence through Continuous Learning

Have you ever felt undervalued, overlooked, or underappreciated at work?

You're not alone. Many highly skilled and capable women in the corporate world face these challenges.

Instead of waiting for someone to offer you an upskilling program, take the initiative and start today. Focus on, one hand, your digital skills, which are crucial in the 21st century. Still, on the other hand, you should also prioritize your human power skills like Emotional Intelligence, where you become unstoppable.

In this blog post, I'll share my personal experiences and insights on starting upskilling and overcoming four false beliefs holding you back:

False Belief 1: I Need a Coding Degree to Upskill My Tech Skills

Two years ago, I used to think that I needed a coding degree to improve my tech skills. It was the go-to skill for leveling up and essential for success in the tech industry.

But times have changed, and with the rise of generative AI, deep technical knowledge and coding skills are less crucial than they once were.

Understanding how technology impacts my job, industry, and personal life is more important. Sure, having a basic grasp of how tech works are still necessary, but developing "softer" skills like EQ, creativity, and critical thinking is even more essential.

False Belief 2: Soft Skills Can't Fuel Confidence, but They Do!

I used to think that my digital literacy was enough to propel my career forward. However, my addiction to tech and gadgets left me feeling disconnected from those around me. That's when I decided to focus on fostering my human power skills.

Instead of just reading books, I took action and participated in a 7-day active challenge where I dedicated an hour each day to meeting with a stranger and practicing active listening. One exercise involved "eye-glazing" on Zoom, and it was uncomfortable at first, but it helped me learn how to be fully present and listen actively.

As I invested more time in my softer skills, I felt a newfound sense of control over my career, and my confidence skyrocketed. Combining my digital skills with my newly honed human skills gave me a newfound sense of empowerment.

So, don't be afraid to prioritize your "softer" skills and take control of your personal growth. You never know where it might take you!

False Belief 3:  I Must Be an Expert Before Applying Knowledge

As a German native, I was a perfectionist, believing I needed to be an expert before applying new knowledge. But now, I know better - living for over ten years in California, surrounded by practicing innovators.

Waiting until I'm an expert is slow and can hold me back from taking on new challenges and experiences. Instead of just absorbing information, I now focus on applying my new knowledge to my problems. Before diving into something new, I reflect on the skills I need to improve and their relevance to my work.

It's vital to be proactive with new technologies, such as ChatGPT. If my clients are excited about it, I take the initiative to start learning before they ask. I don't fear failure; instead, I embrace it and use it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Whether creating a blog post, a Loom video, or sharing insights in a client meeting, I've found that embracing new ideas has led to significant personal and professional growth.

So don't wait to be an expert before taking on new challenges - leap and see what teh future holds for you! You might inspire other members of your team to follow you.

False Belief 4: Learning Only Happens in Formal Settings

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that learning only happens in formal settings like classrooms or professional training programs. But the truth is that learning opportunities are all around us, and many don't cost a dime.

Some of my most valuable learning experiences have come from informal sources. For example, I take pictures and videos of things in my neighborhood that surprise me and I store them in my digital treasure box, "Evernote." Over time, these small learning moments have helped me connect the dots and trigger innovative ideas for my clients.

That's why I love to alternate between working from home and going to my office at "NeueHouse" in Venice Beach. I've learned that my productivity and creativity are linked to my work environment. For you, this could mean working from a coffee shop or WeWork, getting out into the community, discovering unique events, and having spontaneous "water cooler" discussions.

Learning possibilities are everywhere, but finding them can be challenging when working from home 24/7.

So don't limit yourself to formal learning settings. Instead, embrace the informal learning opportunities around you, and you might be surprised by how much you can learn and grow.

Keep an open mind and be curious; you never know what insights or ideas you might discover.

To sum it up, challenging your false beliefs and taking the initiative to upskill can profoundly impact your confidence and potential.

Here are four tips to get started:

1. You Don't Need a Degree in Coding to Upskill Your Tech Abilities

2. Foster your personal growth and confidence by focusing on upskilling your soft skills.

3. Don't wait to become an expert before applying new knowledge - learn as you go and apply your knowledge.

4. Be open to learning opportunities in all areas of your life, not just formal setting

👎🏼 Your turn: The first step is identifying the problem and choosing the skill you want to upskill next. I encourage you to explore and embrace new learning opportunities, no matter how unconventional they may seem.

So, let me know what problem you've identified, which skill you plan to upskill next, and how. Then, I might have a tip or two on how you could achieve your goal. We can support each other on this exciting personal and professional growth journey, making accountability your driving force.