In today’s world, you are not only working to earn a living, but you should also want to improve your professional life. You want to gain knowledge and experience so that you can grow professionally. However, even if you are not able to find enough time in your busy schedule to learn new things or improve your skills, there is a solution for this problem. In this article, we will discuss how you can use your free time at home to improve your professional life.
Make a list of things you are interested in.
The first step to finding your passion is to figure out what you are interested in. Write down the things that you enjoy, whether it’s a class or hobby, or even something completely unrelated to work. You can always change your mind later on if it doesn’t work out.
Do some research to see what classes are offered in your area.
Once you’ve determined that a class is right for you, the next step is to find one.
- Check with your local community college or university. Most schools offer free classes through their continuing education programs, which are often run by professors at those schools. These classes can vary in length and subject matter but tend to be held during evenings or weekends. This is so they don’t interfere with work schedules.
- Ask colleagues who have been in the field longer than you what courses they recommend taking. Especially useful if they’re from different fields than yours (e.g.: if someone works in marketing but has an interest in graphic design).
Think about how those courses might help you grow professionally.
Once you’ve identified the courses that are right for you, think about how those courses might help you grow professionally. For example, if you’re interested in learning how to use Excel or PowerPoint more effectively and efficiently as part of your job, make a list of potential courses (for example: Intro to Spreadsheets). Then look up each one online and see what it covers. You’ll probably find that there are many different options available depending on where and when they’re offered.
Once you’ve determined which classes or online courses seem like a good fit for your needs, ask yourself: Does my employer reimburse me for taking these courses? Or does a government scheme reimburse me for taking these courses? If so, make sure to factor this into any financial calculations before enrolling in anything!
Look for courses that can be applied to your job.
You can also look for courses that can be applied to your job. For example, if you’re interested in getting promoted or earning a raise, consider the course you choose. You should be signing up for a course that will help you improve your skills and knowledge.
When looking online for free courses, make sure they are not just about general topics. Select specific courses related to what you do at work or why they’ll benefit your career. Here are some examples:
- A course on leadership skills could help with getting promoted because it teaches people how to lead others effectively. This is a skill that many companies look for when hiring managers or promoting employees
- A course on marketing strategy would be useful if you’re trying to find new clients for yourself
Find out if the course is reimbursable by your employer or by government funding.
If the course is not reimbursable, you may still be able to get government funding, such as apprenticeships. Check online as many courses are available for free from universities and .
If your employer does not cover any of the costs, consider it an investment in yourself.
If your employer does not cover any of the costs, consider it an investment in yourself. It will help you stand out from the crowd and show that you care about improving yourself professionally. Use this time to learn new skills or take courses that will make you more marketable in the future. If someone else gets a promotion or raise because they took advantage of these opportunities, don’t be too upset about missing out. This is something that could be yours in the future!
The free time between shifts allows time for personal development.
One of the most important things you can do with your free time is to manage it properly. You may not be able to work on improving your professional skills during working hours. There are still strategies that can help you make the most out of whatever time you have available.
Time management isn’t just about scheduling tasks and sticking to a schedule. It also involves finding a balance between work and personal life. The key here is finding a healthy balance. Stay focused on what’s important without neglecting either aspect entirely.
When it comes down to learning new skills or improving existing ones, there are several different ways in which people go about doing this outside of their regular jobs:
Hopefully this article has given you some ideas about how to use your free time to improve your professional life. I know from experience that it can be difficult to find time for yourself. I also believe that the benefits of doing so are worth the effort. You may have noticed that many of these suggestions involve research and planning ahead. These are skills we all need more of!
Horizon CPD helps you organise and plan your learning, development and support your personal and professional aspirations. Whether you are simply looking to develop your skills, or looking for a new career direction we have the perfect resource for you.