What are the things you train yourself on?
Paul White's nationally distributed syndicated column, “What are the things you train yourself on?” is published in 22 publications across seven states. This includes the following newspapers and digital publications: Midland Daily News (MI), SFGate (CA), Seattle PI (WA), Connecticut Post (CT), Laredo Morning Times (TX), Huron Daily Tribune (MI), The Telegraph (IL), and more. In this week's article, Paul offers guidance on embracing the power of online training to become an expert in what brings you joy and happiness.
Most likely, every person has received training from others at some point in their life. It may have been when they started their first job, for something they volunteered for, for any athletic endeavor they pursued, or maybe even how to clean the dishes or do laundry (by a parent who was tired of doing it for them).
We receive lots of training in how to do something correctly in school. There are classes offered that can train us to play an instrument, fly a plane, plant a garden, grow our talent in various forms of art, and pursue any hobby that comes to your mind. There are social benefits when we are trained in any type of group setting. We all need to experience those social benefits on a regular basis.
Any, and all, training changed significantly with the advancement of the internet. Online classes have seen significant growth even for things that require “hands-on” training, from music to vehicle repair. Covid greatly amplified the utilization of the internet for training being offered by others (online classes), along with a shift in our ability to train ourselves on a vast array of interests. We’re in the process of the biggest training shift ever with the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
To be honest, it’s a little overwhelming when you think about the amount of information out there that we can learn from. So, what to do?
No matter which direction I look at the internet and AI from, I continue to conclude that the best path forward is to embrace the opportunities that are being made available to us. Excitement and Joy can lay directly in your path if you park your anxiety off to the side and caringly think about what activities bring you the most happiness in life. When you come up with a few specific subjects, think about the type of training that could amplify your knowledge and ability in that subject area. Then dive into the internet and seek the training that will best serve your needs. All the search engines can take you where you want to go. With time, you’ll learn ways to refine your search with more specificity, which will cut down on the amount of time it takes to produce the results you seek. Then the training begins. Name any sport, hobby, pastime, or area of interest and in seconds you can begin to gain knowledge on it.
Looking back, I owe a lot to the training I gained from watching videos on the internet. It helped me grow as a parent, a little league baseball coach, as an entrepreneur, as a public speaker, as a tennis player, in developing better listening skills, understanding inclusion, writing a book (that I just published), fixing things around the house and on bikes and vehicles, being a better environmental steward, safety when using a variety of power tools (including a battery powered chain saw and mower), landscape maintenance, and so much more. Gone are the days where I attempt to do things first, quickly suffering the consequences of my haste. Now I turn first to the computer and all the training available on every single thing I face in life, including the social, emotional, and medical challenges that crop up.
So, how about YOU? What type of training could you pursue that would enhance your enjoyment of things you already have experience in, along with things you have a curiosity about and have always wanted to try?
Be a mental rebel and park that stress and anxiety in the No Parking Zone (Law enforcement doesn’t issue a ticket for thought violations). Then gift yourself and calmly think about things you’ve always been curious about, things you’d like to get better at, and things you could utilize to improve your knowledge using the training available that’s totally accessible.
Think of the person you’ll become when you consistently train yourself. You’re already an outstanding person and consistent training will only make you even better. So, get up and get going. Remember, I Believe In YOU! GiddyUp!
In addition to being a nationally syndicated columnist, Paul White is an author, motivational and inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, podcaster, and life coach located in Midland, Michigan. His new book, “The Answer Discovery – How to Change the World by Helping Others…and Ourselves,” is available to purchase today. If you’re interested in getting in touch with Paul, please submit an inquiry via our Contact Page.