Adjacent skill-building is an approach to personal and professional development that focuses on acquiring skills closely related to one’s existing skill set. It recognizes that expanding your capabilities doesn’t always mean diving into completely unfamiliar territory; instead, it often involves exploring areas that share a common border with what you already know.

What makes adjacent skill-building particularly effective is its emphasis on leveraging the foundational competencies we’ve already mastered. By learning skills that are similar to those we’re familiar with, we can make faster progress because we’re building on top of our existing knowledge base. This approach not only makes the learning process more efficient but also more rewarding, as progress can be seen more quickly.

So, how can you implement adjacent skill-building in your own life? Here aresome strategies:

1. Conduct a skill inventory: Start by mapping out your current skills. Look at your daily tasks, previous job experiences, hobbies, and even challenges you’ve overcome. This will serve as the basis for identifying adjacent areas you might want to develop.

2. Identify overlapping areas: Once your skills are laid out, look for patterns or themes within them. These overlaps can guide you towards relevant adjacent skills. For instance, if you’re skilled at writing blog posts, you may find that expanding into writing e-books or creating content for social media could leverage your existing writing and storytelling abilities.

3. Set learning goals: With potential adjacent skills identified, set clear learning objectives for yourself. Make sure they are attainable and align with your broader career or personal growth goals.

4. Seek resources and opportunities: Look for books, online courses, workshops, or mentorships to help you build on these adjacent skills. Real-world practice is also crucial, so seek out projects or volunteer work that allows you to apply your new abilities in a practical setting.

5. Reflect and adjust: Keep track of your progress and take the time to reflect on what you’re learning. Assess whether these new skills are meeting your expectations and helping you to advance towards your goals. Adjust your approach as necessary to ensure continued growth.

6. Connect with peers: Engage with communities – both offline and online – where people who possess these adjacent skills thrive. Networking can provide insights into how others have successfully developed similar skills and integrated them into their work.

By strategically focusing on adjacent skill-building, individuals can create a smoother path for career advancement or personal development while maximizing the utility of their existing strengths. It’s about recognizing that sometimes the best way forward is not a leap into the unknown but a step into familiar territory — just from a slightly different angle.