E14: Plan for Growing Exercise

In this exercise, you will develop a plan for continuing to improve your adaptability skills. This course has given you a start on your adaptability journey, but you must continue to practice, practice, and practice some more if you are to become truly adaptable.

Target programs

Consider five programs you would like to learn in the next six months. If you are attempting to enter a new field, you might check job ads or search the web for expert opinions on the most desirable programs. Whatever your reason for learning, you might check with a non-profit to see if you can do something for them, then plan the programs accordingly. Or you might just find five programs that you want to learn for the fun of it.

Then, plan to create three projects in each of those programs. Task-based learning can be helpful but requires an expert to set out the tasks. A better way to learn on your own is to plan a project, then learn everything required to produce it.

Unless the program is available for free, keep the cost of purchase in mind. If cost is an issue, look for freeware apps and programs instead.

Program 1:

• Project 1:
• Project 2:
• Project 3:

Program 2:

• Project 1:
• Project 2:
• Project 3:

Program 3:

• Project 1:
• Project 2:
• Project 3:

Program 4:

• Project 1:
• Project 2:
• Project 3:

Program 5:

• Project 1:
• Project 2:
• Project 3:

Expanded Learning

Remember that adaptability practice seldom teaches us an entire software package. Adaptability practice is usually spotty, and we need expert guidance for a deeper and well-rounded understanding of a program. Do not rely on learning from an expert since expert learning alone does not enhance adaptability skills. Instead, continue to practice learning on your own. However, learning from an expert can enhance your own ability to adapt.

For this part of the exercise, plan on deeper learning in five different software packages. These programs can be five you already know, the same five programs you listed previously, five totally different programs, or a combination of each of these options.

Once you determine the program, decide what resources you will use to learn each program. Are there training videos on the web? Is there a website that teaches you all about the program? Is there a course that you can take, either local or online? Does your local library have either online or local training available on this software? Again, keep cost in mind.

To become more adaptable, you must continue to practice learning new technology on your own. If you are trying to build adaptability, I encourage you to practice 3-10 hours a week on your adaptability skills. Once you become fairly adaptable, practice 1-2 hours weekly to maintain your adaptability.