Follow the 8 stages of farming to successfully master a new skill
Drawing a parallel between the urban hustle and rural formula for consistently high results
Not to alarm anyone, but we live in an age of automation, redundancy, and obsoletion. As a software developer myself, it seems like every week a new tech gains a must-have status. The same applies to a majority of us in the workforce today. As if working long and hard was not enough, another variable has been added to the equation, that is gaining a new skill every so often to simply stay relevant. While not much can be done about that, we can learn a few chops from the agro dudes and learn better.
Following are the stages of mastering a new skill,
1. Crop Selection — Setting a target
Defining the what and by when early on in the process of learning a new skill serves as the guiding light, in an often long and difficult process. Be it an exam (like AWS certified developer or Scrum master certification) or something as vast as learning to code, it needs to be put in writing before you start.
Additionally, a soft deadline would help in making sure you are able to harvest the crop of your hard work when the time comes.
2. Land Preparation — Getting motivated
It's time to get out of that cozy blanket we call our comfort zone, and it's easier said than done. Next, define why would you want to grow your knowledge in the area of your choosing. More money, expanding knowledge, boost confidence to name a few.
3. Seed Selection — Choosing your resources
Learning has been fairly democratized, creating a problem of plenty. In saying that, this stage requires a lot of small decisions, like
3.1 Mode of learning* (physical learning, books, or online)
3.2 Cost of the resource*
3.3 Duration of the program
3.4 Accreditation (a degree, diploma, completion certificate, none)
At the very least you would want to decide mode and cost.
4. Seed Sowing — Getting started
Now that the start and finish lines have been marked, it's time to push the peddle and get going. Planning can be exhaustive, but executing is daunting. The great thing about this stage is you can not go wrong here. All seeds are equal even if the plants may not be, so go on its fair game.
5. Irrigation — Practice, Practice, Practice
This is the stage where you would benefit from building a routine. Much like watering the crops every day, a cycle of learning, replicating, and practicing with each element of the resource (Chapter, lesson, topic) ensures steady growth.
6. Crop Growth — Build
By now, you have seen your knowledge grow exponentially and you are nearing the end of the course. It’s time to apply yourself (and the newly attained skills). Build a project, with an aim to apply a fair bit of “professional” standards.
7. Fertilizing — Gaining Expertise (Optional)
Becoming an expert may not always be the target, but if it is, you may want to go back to Stage 1 from here.
8. Harvesting — Apply it
Sweat. Blood. Tears. You have given it all, time to collect your due. Applying it may mean different things depending on your answer to why at Stage 2. Ranging from getting your first job, a new job, or just be better at the one you are at.
And Voila. You have a brand new skill at your disposal. Be sure to use it responsibly.
