If you can deliberately choose to consume brain-rot on TikTok for hours, you can deliberately choose to upskill in at least one focus area for at least 20 minutes
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Learning a new skill every day has never been more convenient. Your future literally sits in your pocket. There are learning apps, AI tools, and micro-credentials with bite-sized lessons and modules that make it easier for you to future-proof your career and build high-paying skills–even on your lunch break or in the 15-20 minutes between meetings.
If you’ve ever felt bored on the job and caught yourself scrolling through brain-rot on your social feed during work hours, it’s time to redirect that energy and attention towards something that benefits your career immediately and for long-term.
3 Upskilling Apps From The App Store/Google Play
I’ve curated a list of three apps that you can download on the App Store if you have an iPhone, or from Google Play if you have an Android mobile device, which are perfect for turning empty pockets of time into cash through upskilling.
1. ChatGPT
Yes, ChatGPT is a learning app. You don’t just need to use it for work productivity tasks or for “Help me plan my vacation” or “What should I cook for dinner tonight?” queries. You can use it as your learning partner, tutor, or coach.
Here are two easy ways to do that within 15 – 20 minutes:
- First, use the study and learn mode. Anything you have questions on, any topic you need to polish and familiarize yourself with, enter the study and learn mode. Put your question in there and it will guide and tutor you, just as a real-life tutor would. Instead of outright providing the answers to questions, it will coach you towards the right answer and give you the reasoning why as well. I speak more about this in 5 ChatGPT Prompts To Make $100,000 With AI (No Degree Needed).
- Second, use the Coursera app that’s enabled in ChatGPT (for U.S. users only at the moment). Learn more about how to do this in my recent Forbes article here.
2. Sololearn
Sololearn is a widely-acclaimed app that teaches you in-demand tech skills and has learning pathways for skill sets such as:
- AI (artificial intelligence)
- Programming languages (Java, CSS, Python, SQL, etc.)
- Data analytics with AI
Through its quizzes, bitesize learning materials, and realistic challenges and coding projects/games, you’re able to learn AI and coding skills in a fun and highly interactive way. You’ll learn skills like vibe-coding (using AI to write code based on your prompts), and prompt engineering.
3. Skillshare
Skillshare, available to Android and iPhone users, is another popular platform for learning skills, with a special focus on creative industries, like digital marketing and graphic design. Skills you can learn here include:
- Figma (UX/UI design)
- Digital painting
- AI-powered marketing
- Social media management and content creation
- Productivity and project management
Skillshare’s individual lessons that form part of a class can last up to 10 minutes long, according to the website. From my research, many professionals and students find the app to be user-friendly, and it fits perfectly around hectic schedules while giving your brain that well-deserved creative learning space.
Upskilling is the most important investment you can ever make, even if it’s just for a few minutes a day
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Right now, I want you to commit to at least 20 minutes a day of learning. Learning and upskilling is a choice. If you can deliberately choose to consume brain-rot on TikTok for hours, you can deliberately choose to upskill in at least one focus area for at least 20 minutes.
Download these three apps (chances are, you already have ChatGPT) from the App Store or Google Play, and track your progress and completion in-app and/or using a journal or diary. Most importantly, hold yourself accountable in public and be transparent by sharing your learning journey and key takeaways on LinkedIn.
The funny thing is, 20 minutes here and 20 minutes there may seem like they don’t amount to much, but in the end, the impact of refocusing your time and redirecting your energies will compound.
Spending 20 minutes a day on learning, six days a week, adds up to over two hours a week. And two hours a week adds up to eight hours in a month. And guess what, in one year, that level of consistency gives you nearly 100 hours of training time…100 hours that would’ve otherwise been wasted away in unproductive activities.
