If you’re anything like me (and the vast majority of home-workers) you probably spend more time than you would like aimlessly using the internet. Maybe you’re one of those people who’s checking social media every two minutes. Or perhaps you find yourself getting sucked into the YouTube spiral more times than you would like.
It’s so easy to use the internet as a source of procrastination, distraction, and all-round time-wasting, but the World Wide Web is our most powerful resource. If you just switch up your focus – or get some focus – when you head online, you’ll be able to maximise the potential of this tool for knowledge and growth.
Sure, it’s fine to spend a bit of time exploring the silly side of the internet to relax, but here are four creative ways to use the internet that will give your career and personal development a boost too.
Number 1: Try out new Hobbies
And no, binge-watching the latest Netflix series doesn’t count!
Ask any of the most successful people in your line of work and you’ll discover that most of them have favourite hobbies that promote creativity and reduce their stress levels. The internet is a great tool to try out some new hobbies, no matter what your interests are.
One hobby that’s now becoming increasingly popular with people from all walks of life is online gaming.
The gaming industry in 2021 is vast and there are all sorts of interesting games available to play remotely. You can play classic games like Scrabble and Monopoly online, compete against hundreds of other gamers from right across the world in an eSports tournament, or even get a taste of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas with online slot games like Age of the Gods.
If you’re thinking that iGaming is just for guys, think again! Games like online slots are actually more popular with female gamers than they are male in 2021.
Before you start gaming, you might want to check that your internet speed can handle it; check out Spectrum internet for high speed internet options of up to 1Gbps!
Number 2: Get to Grips with a new Skill
Yes, YouTube and other content sharing platforms of its ilk can be a massive source of distraction, but if you know how to use them wisely they’re also a fantastic place to pick up a new skill. You can learn all sorts of cool things on YouTube, from fixing minor laptop niggles to making period costumes.
If you want to be a bit more formal with your online learning, the Open University offers a full range of degree and higher education courses, some of which are completely free of charge. Then there’s Skillshare and its vast resources of online tutorials, Future Learn with it’s accredited degree courses from global institutions, and Free Code Camp, which’ll turn you into a programming whizz in weeks.
Number 3: Set up a Blog
Go on, take the plunge! My thoughts on blogging are pretty obvious, but even if you don’t want to pursue blogging as a potential career path, it really is a lot of fun to do.
In 2021, there’s also a wealth of blogging platforms at your fingertips that will do most of the hard work for you, so all you have to do is sit down and write.
One of the best things about setting up a blog is that it can be completely anonymous; no matter what’s on your mind, you can put your thoughts out there and share them with the world.
Start with something simple and aim to write a post every week. Then build from there; you never know where it could take you.
Number 4: Get Networking
So, you’ve signed up for a LinkedIn account and now it’s just a case of waiting for the creative collaborations and job offers to come pouring in, right?
Err, no!
If you want to expand and enhance your network, you will need to put a bit of effort in. Yes, platforms like LinkedIn do make it a lot easier to keep up to date with trends in your field, job openings and new companies, but you need to use them to hone the relationships that you already have and make new contacts.
It’s a good idea to set up a professional portfolio so that those new connections you’re making with your hard work can quickly and easily find out exactly what makes you so great at what you do. Wix, Squarespace, Behance, and even Adobe Portfolio offer free portfolio options which, with a bit of tweaking, will make your work shine.