I'm too busy.

How often do we use that excuse? I sure do, and it bugs me every time I feel or say it. Because being busy isn't a badge of honour, it's a misunderstanding of priorities. 

When children are young they do try new things, they're curious, more adventurous. As as we become conscious of being judged by other people we try less. So, I want to rediscover my inner child and get curious again. No judgement required.

So, I'm seeking to disprove the myth that a busy person can't find time for new stuff. I'd like to form a healthy habit that will open up new skills and horizons, and all it will take is 20 minutes every day.

Each month I'm going to take on a skill, to learn from scratch or develop, then commit to 20 minutes per day for a month. And then when the next month comes around, a new skill will, too.

Along the way I'm going to share how I've chosen to learn, the impact each commitment has, how to set targets and find a pocket of spare time each day. And hopefully, a whole lot more.
Along the way I invite you to join me in choosing your own monthly skill, to help you along I've listed all of the things I'd like to learn in the coming months and years. Maybe there's something there that excites you? 

AUGUST 2018 - PODCASTING

Starting a podcast takes a lot more than 20 minutes a day, so after the initial learning curve I've stretched out my episodes to one every three days. There's plenty of background, research and social media work to give a backbone to each episode, and then recording and editing takes a little time too.

But I have successfully started up a podcast without having to quit the rest of my life, and with a lot of help from an amazing app called Anchor my podcast, called the Human Tortoise, is now available on major distribution channels like Spotify and Google Podcasts. 

July 2018 - Meditation

An archive of all blogs, podcasts and films from the 20 a Day Podcast

The bottom line

Before each month begins I'll select a handful potential skills that I know I can commit to, bearing in mind my schedule, travel plans, location and other responsibilities.

I love the idea of learning new skills, especially when they've got a fairly easy learning curve. Improvement leads to satisfaction which leads to an extra keenness to learn.

Some ideas for skills that you could learn

• Stop motion photography
• Practice for world record?! Hugs?
• Yoga Headstand
• Juggling (with clubs or balls)
• Learn how to create virtual reality films
• Learn knots
• Pen twirl (like in goldeneye)
• Learn to draw a comic
• Stand up comedy
• Video blogging
• Sign language
• Handstand walks
• Cups
• Carlton Dance
• Yo Yo
• Throw a playing card
• Boomerang
• Forest archery
• Touch typing
• Wood carving
• Gardening
• Rubix Cube
• Paper aeroplane
• Balloon animals. 
• Bubble science. 
• Learning a good magic trick.
• Kindness
• Crochet
• Origami
• Aikido
• Poem reciting/writing
• Making infographics