Get Specific About Your Money Making Skills

One of the Ten Essential Laws of Money relates to productivity. It is an important subject at several points in our program. The Law of Productivity states:

Each of us prospers in proportion to our productivity as we increase our moneymaking skills and direct them toward long-term personal benefits.

In this Action Step I want to talk about moving from thinking to acting. Specifically, I want to focus on identifying and working toward a definite skill that can increase productivity, and in turn your income.

Begin by brainstorming a little. Ask the question, “What one skill could I learn that would most increase my money making potential?” Make a list of as many posssibilities as you can.

Potential skills will vary widely depending on the kind of work or opportunities that you have. Anything from typing skills to welding, from bookkeeping to cooking classes, from truck driving to computer programming, from carpentry to marketing skills could help in different careers. Think only about what would be best for you.

Think little. Think big. Often we have tunnel vision for things of this sort. Some people think only of possibilities as large as getting a college education. Others think only of very small posssibilities (some small ones can make a big difference like shaving before going to work! Open your mind to all possibilities.

Another consideration. A very good plan for many is to check with your employer or supervisor about skills that might help you advance in your career. It isn’t always what we want but what is needed that counts.

Next, look over the list and choose the one that would be the best for you to work on at this time. Which would pay off the most? Which could you learn easiest or quickest? If classes are offered you would need, which would be available now or soon.

There are several factors to think about, so I will not say which you should favor. Sometimes easy skills that don’t take long to learn can help you achieve bigger ones faster later. Sometimes a major skill area is so vital it is worth starting on immediately. Generally, however, think of what will best payoff in the long term.

Next, decide on a plan of action to learn that skill. Decide how you could learn it. There may be several alternatives. Consider your learning style. A class at the local tech school might be best for some. Independent study online for others. Getting help from an expert another.

Set out a schedule for learning your new skill, including steps to take and a time schedule. Then get started. When you master one, repeat the same process on another skill. Never stop learning.