In Happy first week of October. Where has the year gone. This is the time that typically everyone starts to reflect back on the year that has been and how far they have come to achieving their goals and objectives. Whether it is polishing up the resume, refining the business plan or starting to think about goals for the new year.

For many in this portal, this will be the first time in 13 years that when they start a new school year that it will not be the start of a new school year. All of these moments of reflection can be challenging and daunting - Is it easier to stay doing the same thing as you have always done - maybe - will it be as fufulling as stepping out of your comfort zone and stretching - absolutely not. 

The journey of personal and professional growth, moments of reset and focused sprints hold transformative power. These elements, deeply rooted in positive psychology and the growth mindset theory, empower individuals to continuously evolve and reach their potential. By emphasising the ability to learn and adapt, individuals can approach challenges with resilience and enthusiasm. Ready to master the art of goal setting, reflection, and accountability? Let's delve into our 5 key steps to success.

1. Embrace the Moments of Reset: Life is an ebb and flow of experiences. Recognise the need for 'reset moments' – times where you pause, step back, and recalibrate. Whether you're changing course or just taking a breather, these moments are essential for long-term success.

2. Harness Focused Sprints: Once you've reset, dive into focused sprints. These are short, intense periods where you channel your energy towards achieving a specific goal. With the clarity from your reset, you can now work with enhanced determination and precision.

3. Cultivate Reflection & Accountability: Document your journey. Regularly reflect on your actions, outcomes, and feelings. By being accountable to yourself (and perhaps a mentor or peer), you reinforce the commitment to your goals and learn from every experience.

4. Conduct a Skills Self-Audit:

• Identify Current Strengths: Recognise the skills you excel in. This isn't just about feeling good; it’s about understanding where you stand.

• Spot Areas of Growth: Where do you face challenges? Which skills could enhance your career or personal life if developed?

• Seek Feedback: Sometimes, an external perspective can provide insights you hadn't considered.

5. Dive into Continuous Learning: With a growth mindset, every challenge becomes an opportunity. Stay curious and continually seek knowledge. Whether it's a workshop, online course, or a book, invest in your learning.

Start Your Digital Evolution with FutureSkills4U:

In today’s digital age, enhancing your digital proficiency is crucial. This is where the FutureSkills4U Digital Skills Program steps in. Our free training portal is brimming with courses tailored for the modern individual. Dive into the 'My Learning' and 'Explore' sections to discover pathways that resonate with your aspirations. Whether you're an adept digital guru or a novice, there's always room to level up.

Your journey towards a future-proofed skill set begins with understanding where you stand today and envisioning where you wish to be tomorrow. With the right mindset and resources, you're poised for success. So, hit that reset button when needed, charge into your goals with passion, and always, always keep learning. The digital world awaits your expertise!

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The FutureSKills4U Rural and Regional Digital Skills program provides FREE access to rural and regional Queenslanders over the age of 12 to the Go 1 Learning Platform.

Here you can choose from thousands of online courses to study at your own pace. You can do as many or as few as you choose, it will be free.

This Queensland Government initiative is part of the Digital Professional Workforce Action Plan, which is working with industry and academia to give Queenslander’s access to digital skills training and the potential for a pathway to a digital career.

Improving digital capabilities in the workplace can streamline business, make you more competitive and reduce operating costs through efficiencies.

The training is self-service on demand. All you need is a browser and a computer, tablet or device with average specifications.

Because it is on demand and open until December 2023 you can fit learning new digital skills around your current workload and schedule. Some of the things you can learn include: 

• Digital marketing
• Social media marketing
• Creating a digital roadmap for your business
• Business analytics
• Excel and other Microsoft applications 
• Wordpress and maintaining websites
• Building a cyber resilient business
• AI and ChatGPT
• Simulation and interactive technologies 
• 3D printing and prototyping.
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship