Personal development allows us to change our mentality and boost our skills so we can reach our full potential. That desire for self-improvement has spawned an entire industry, with books, webinars, and apps all designed to help people in a variety of ways. So, it’s no surprise that the self-improvement industry is rapidly growing, and is estimated to reach $13.2 billion in 2022. It might sound like an astronomical figure, but self-improvement includes learning, skill-boosting, mindfulness, and many other kinds of self-care. Even our sleep patterns can be improved to give us mental and physical health benefits.
Personal development helps you in just about every aspect of life, allowing you to improve your mental health, boost your self-esteem, and gain confidence. Similarly, if you focus on the physical benefits of self-improvement, you’ll feel better than ever. But more practically, your new skills and habits will improve your relationships, help you develop new connections, elevate your career, and give you a real sense of direction. Who doesn’t want that?
Of course, it doesn’t happen overnight. You need strategies and techniques to get there. If you want to learn a new skill, like a foreign language or how to code, online courses are there to help you reach your goal. And once you’ve finished, courses look great on your resume too. Another method is using affirmations – sentences you say to yourself repeatedly and are designed to change your habits and keep you motivated. Of course, everyone has their own strategies that suit them best. But if you’re really struggling, you could look into getting a mentor who can encourage you and guide you through your personal growth journey.
No matter what aspect of self-improvement you want to follow, there’s an app designed to help you reach your goals. To give you a helping hand, we selected some of the very best apps around to guide you on your journey.
Resume.io has been on the market for over a decade – and it shows. This resume builder offers an intuitive and user-friendly experience for both resume and cover letter writing. Incorporating cutting-edge technology, it uses AI to provide tailored suggestions, helping you increase the chance of getting an interview.
There are many more examples of how the company goes beyond your standard resume builder, with a built-in job search and tracker, custom career plans, AI interview prep, salary comparator, plus many more.
You can try the premium version through the -day trial, which automatically renews to a monthly plan that costs . However, you don’t need to worry if you forget to cancel the trial – all purchases are protected with a -day money-back guarantee.
Pimsleur was one of the first self-instructional language learning courses to hit the market. Back in 1963, Dr. Paul Pimsleur released his very first reel-to-reel tape with a Modern Greek course. Nowadays, Pimsleur offers programs for more than 50 languages. Though the time of reel-to-reel tapes is long gone, there is one thing that Pimsleur maintained: the Pimsleur method. By combining graduated interval recall, the principle of anticipation, core vocabulary, and organic learning, Pimsleur helps people speak a language in no time. It’s possible to get the various learning language courses by purchasing each level of the program, or by subscribing to a monthly billing cycle that provides full access. Either way, unless you get the CD version it’s possible to use the software both on desktop and mobile, or to download the lessons in MP3 format for offline use.
Learning how to code is like learning a new language. So, it makes sense that the younger you start to study it, the easier it is to understand. Of course, the average 5-year-old won’t be able to write a specific programming language. Still, by learning the basics of coding, they can hone essential skills that will be a competitive advantage down the line when applying to college or for a job. codeSpark offers engaging games for kids from the age of five to nine that help develop basic problem-solving skills, logical thinking, creativity, collaboration, perseverance, and more. The best part is that your children won’t even notice they’re learning – it’s just fun! Prices start at $6.67 per month with an annual plan, and a subscription supports up to three users. It’s also possible to try out the app for free for 30 days by using our special coupon code.
E-learning has become extremely popular. Nowadays, students all over the world can take a course in any subject from the comfort of their home. But when it comes to computer science and business, Udacity should be at the top of everyone’s list. This online educational organization has partnered with several top tech companies (such as Google and Microsoft) to offer comprehensive programs in job-specific skills that recruiters are looking for. From programming to artificial intelligence and product management, all courses provide real-world material and assignments that can be used when applying for a job or a promotion. With prices starting at $339 per month, Udacity is on the expensive side, but it does offer over 200 free courses. There’s even a small window to get a full refund – U.S. citizens have two days to decide whether the course is right for them, while UK and EU residents can use the platform for 14 days risk-free.
Children nowadays have access to electronic devices such as computers, tablets, and smartphones from a very young age. Parents often use them to get a much-needed break, but what if all that screen time could be used for educational purposes instead? That’s precisely what the creators of HOMER had in mind when they developed a software that can start your child’s learning journey. Launched in 2013, the company brings professional expertise to fun and joyful child learning apps suitable for kids aged zero to eight. HOMER uses a scientifically proven method that builds children’s confidence through a personalized program based on age and interests. Even better, kids won’t even know they’re using an educational app, considering how fun it is compared to other games. Moreover, its 60-day free trial is more than enough to find out if your child will get a lot out of the app before committing to a subscription.
Acquiring a new skill has never been easier. With an e-learning platform like GetSmarter, you can take short courses from the best universities in the world – such as Oxford, Harvard, and Yale – without leaving the comfort of your home. Classes are mostly on demand, but there are a few aspects that make GetSmarter curriculums more traditional than some of its competitors. You learn together with a class, submit exercises every week for grading, and need to pass the course to get a certificate. It’s important to mention that most GetSmarter programs are designed for executives, meaning that it’s necessary to have some knowledge to achieve the course’s learning objectives. Still, GetSmarter doesn’t require any prerequisites, allowing you to enroll in any course you want. Prices are a bit steep, though – especially those from top-league universities, which can go up to $3,000. Fortunately, you can check whether the course fits your needs by taking advantage of the 14-day money-back guarantee.
Learning is possible at any age. If you give yourself enough time to pursue your chosen subject, the sky is the limit for personal growth and professional development. But learning becomes easier and more rewarding when you’re guided by the best of the best, who can also give you an insider’s perspective. MasterClass is an online education platform for individuals who wish to either acquire a new skill or improve an existing one. The service offers studio-quality video lectures hosted by top-notch talent from different fields, sharing industry-related guidance with students. There are hundreds of classes to choose from, so you’ll be sure to pick up more than just one new skill. And although memberships are billed annually, MasterClass offers a generous 30-day satisfaction guarantee on all plans.
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American journalist and writer Elizabeth Gilbert said, “A creative life is an amplified life”. That’s what Skillshare is all about – nurturing and cultivating creativity for a more interesting and happier life.
The New York-based e-learning platform offers hands-on online lessons for individuals to pick up new skills or advance in their fields. Students can choose from a myriad of courses in different fields like writing, art, music, content marketing, and more.
Students get full access to the platform and its instructors for as low as $13.75 per month. Plus, it’s possible to get some of that money back by taking advantage of the company’s referral program. Even better, Best Reviews readers have the opportunity to try out Skillshare at zero cost for 30 days.
Codecademy joined the field of online learning in 2011 and has been revolutionizing how people develop their coding skills ever since. There are over 300 courses in various programming languages and tech-related subjects.
All courses are displayed in a highly engaging and user-friendly learning environment centered around the platform’s ‘learn by doing’ principle. Codecademy’s hands-on approach encourages coding newbies to start writing their own code from day one.
In addition, the courses are curated by Codecademy, not third-party instructors, which means they’re of high quality and designed following the company’s methodology and standards.
It’s also remarkable that this platform prepares learners to land a job in the tech industry by providing impressive resources for portfolio building, interview preparation, and coding challenges from real interviews.
The extra sparkle is that several courses are free. However, to have full access to everything this coding e-learning platform offers, users need to subscribe to one of the paid plans, which start at $14.99 per month (billed annually). Plus, only these subscriptions come with course bundles designed to help users achieve their learning goals.
More than anything, self-improvement is about lifestyle changes, whether big or small. And while old habits die hard, introducing new ones isn’t easy either. For some, the key to self-improvement is to set up a new daily routine, but it can also be something as simple as saving an hour a day to do something productive. Reading is one example, whether it’s a novel to escape into or a self-help book. If you want to improve your body as well as your mind, then having a set time to work out and do some exercise is a great idea. For something more soothing, try doing meditation.
But it’s not just about small adjustments; you can work on projects with long-term goals too. A wonderful way of doing this while helping out your local community is to get involved with volunteer work – you’ll find it’s an amazing experience. Similarly, you could pick up a new hobby and join a local club. If you want to make a bit of extra cash, why not start a side hustle by selling products on shops like eBay or Etsy. Alternatively, you could take advantage of your skills by offering lessons. Projects like these are especially helpful if you’re out of work and will fill any gaps in your CV.
We all have our routines and changing them is difficult. But one way of altering your habits is to come up with an end goal. For example, if you’re challenging yourself to read more you should set a target – maybe try to read 40 books in a year. Just make sure your goals are realistic. If you’re not a big reader, aim for one book a month instead. Similarly, if you’ve decided to learn a language, you can try to complete courses before you go off on a vacation to test your new skills with the locals.
The developers of self-improvement apps know that establishing goals is ideal for personal growth. You’ll often find that apps will allow you to set your goals so you can go at your own pace. For example, running apps allow you to set your own targets, so if one day you want to run a marathon you’ll know if you’re on track.
To make those first steps towards self-improvement you need ideas and advice. If you like the idea of volunteering, then help seniors cope with loneliness by connecting with them – it’s an amazing thing to do. But if you want to earn some extra income with a side hustle then you can make the most of your skills by doing some freelance work or by sharing your knowledge through a paid webinar. For small business owners, there are plenty of productivity apps that will make sure you (and your employees) remain focused on the right thing.
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