Learning a new skill is a great way to bolster your personal development. And it doesn't hurt your professional marketability. A new skill or even a new hobby could also just be something you want to do, for yourself, and no one else. But, sometimes getting started can be tough. Check out these two essays for some inspiration

True Grit: How One Designer Taught Himself to Draw and Became an International Artist

In this piece, we look at the journey of Alán Ramiro Manning and his personal goal to learn how to draw. Readers will get to see how the young designer applied himself and went from a complete novice to a prolific illustrator through sheer determination and grit. If you've ever wanted to embark on a crazy path to do something new in your life, this is the story for you.

Career Evolution Through Autodidacticism and Accelerated Learning

This essay looks at the world of accelerated learning and autodidacticism, or the art of self-learning. You'll read about two friends who learned four languages in a year, the psychology of the self-learner, and there is also an awesome scene from an awesome movie.