Top 48 Unusual Skills You Can Develop Quickly

Some are great for your personal growth, and some will help you get hired!

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We all know the importance of learning new skills for professional growth. But how about learning a creative, artistic, or simply unusual skill just for fun? Learning something new can lead to amazing self-discovery and a confidence boost.

If you believe you don't have any hidden talents, there's good news for you. There are simple creative skills every person can learn, no matter the age. In this article, we have gathered a diverse list of skills, from odd ones that will draw everyone's attention at the party to amazing and helpful ones that can even get you hired. So, without further ado, let's get started!

Why learn a new unusual skill?

When we were kids, we tried new things and activities just because it was fun. As adults, we tend to evaluate how helpful each skill is and whether it will lead us to higher pay or career growth. Yet, learning even seemingly useless skills has a lot of benefits. Here are the main advantages of mastering a new skill or developing a talent:

1. Better well-being - research suggests that learning new skills is connected to an increase in the individual's well-being. Learning something new is an effective way to stay sharp and active even as seniors. When you train your brain, you also improve your memory and can recall vast amounts of information.
2. Own everyone's attention - have you ever been jealous of a friend who could touch the fire with bare hands or sing that jazz song? With unusual abilities, you can attract someone's attention on social gatherings with ease.
3. Unwind after work - having a hobby or developing a creative talent in your free time helps you relax and unwind after a busy day. Plus, practicing your hobby, even weird, helps enrich your life with new impressions and find meaning.
4. Help professional growth - some unusual or creative skills can help you develop professionally in your current role. Or, you can turn a creative passion into work - for example, use your talent for writing to create kids' books.
5. Connect with others - developing unusual skills will help you find new friends in online communities or your neighborhood. Plus, discussing hobbies serves as a great conversation starter.

Now, let's explore a variety of skills you can develop through practice and regular training.

Top Hidden Talents & Skills to Develop

Physical and Athletic Skills

As you develop athletic skills, you strengthen your body and mind. Doing sports is a great way to unwind after work, especially if you spend all day in the office or work hard remotely. Playing team sports, practicing yoga, or even adventure sports bolsters your physical and mental well-being, and boosts confidence. Plus, you can always impress someone at a party by showing a great trick.

1. Yoga - practice mindfulness as you strengthen your body and make it flexible.
2. Parkour running - if you're into extreme sports, learn to navigate an urban landscape with ease.
3. Moonwalk - a simple artistic trick that will please everyone at the party.
4. Circus skills - acrobatics needs a special setting, but it always looks impressive.
5. Rock climbing - strengthen your body, and mind, and improve resilience as you climb up the rocks and enjoy beautiful views.
6. Cycling - a simple skill that will help you stay healthy and active.
7. Hip-hop dance - learning this vibrant dance will improve your self-esteem and boost your mood.

Intellectual and Mental Skills

Learning intellectual skills improves your focus, memory, and your ability to adapt to new things in this ever-changing world. Challenging yourself intellectually can help you develop as a professional, and some of your mental skills can be of use at work. Plus, they boost your logical thinking and can be impressive to watch.

1. Memory techniques - promote faster, more effective learning and improve your cognitive performance.
2. Speed reading - if you've dreamed about reading one book in a few hours, it can turn into reality.
3. Solving a Rubic's cube - intellectual puzzles such as a Rubic's cube improve concentration, and memory, and broaden your mental limits.
4. Lock picking - learn this curious practice, and locking your keys at home will never be a problem.
5. Research skills - the ability to do research is essential for a wide range of careers.
6. Learning a new language - immerse yourself into a new culture, improve your memory and cognitive abilities, and boost career prospects.
7. Creative writing - learn to write poems, essays, short stories, and even novels.

Are you interested in ongoing professional development? Take a look at these trending topics for professional growth in the workplace.

Creative and Artistic Skills

If you dreamed about becoming an artist when you were a kid, you can bring that personal experience to life and learn an artistic skill. As you learn creative skills, you get in touch with your emotions which can be therapeutic for you as an adult, plus the process is often enjoyable. Most importantly, you can proudly show off your skills in a company.

1. Drawing and doodling - whether it's oil painting, pencil drawing, or creative doodles, drawing is a great creative outlet.
2. Photography - master portrait, event, nature, or fashion photography and maybe even earn some extra money.
3. Origami - this curious art of paper folding is also a great stress relief and helps boost coordination.
4. Balloon animal making - balloon animals will entertain both kids and adults at any party.
5. Shadow puppetry - create exciting stories with shadows.
6. Singing - it is beneficial for your physical and mental health. Plus, you can impress all your friends and perform a pop hit.
7. Music composition - playing on musical instruments or composing music stimulates our brain and memory, and enhances creativity.
8. Graphic design - a unique modern skill that can turn your passion for visual art into a source of income.

Unusual and Fun Skills

Some abilities that we have are of no practical use, and we mostly use them for fun or to entertain people in our class. There are many things that you can master out of curiosity, and you can basically master them in a week or so. Here are the examples of such skills:

1. Saying the alphabet backwards - a great skill for kids that you can record a video with and show them when they grow up.
2. Loud whistling - whistle your favorite songs and draw everyone's attention at any party.
3. Juggling - a great skill to train your coordination and impress people at any gathering.
4. Magic tricks - not everyone is into magic these days, but you can create an amazing show for kids.
5. Glow poi spinning - create colorful imagery using an LED-lit poi.
6. Handwriting analysis - learning to interpret the handwriting of other people is a good way to boost analytical skills.
7. Taking selfies or videos - a simple skill that will enhance your social media profile and help attract followers.

Practical and Craftsmanship Skills

These hands-on skills can be extremely helpful in everyday life. You can learn craftsmanship skills just to learn something new. Yet, some of them, such as quick tips on chopping quickly, can save you time and effort. Moreover, it has been proven that doing something with your hands develops our brain and imagination. And the best part is, it is never too late to master these skills.

1. Sharpening knives - a quick practical skill that will save you money and enhance your cooking.
2. First aid and emergency response - know how to act to save someone's life.
3. Glassblowing - create your own vase or a set of glasses to wow guests.
4. Jewelry making - make amazing necklaces and rings for your friends or turn it into a side business.
5. Quick chopping - cook complex recipes faster.
6. Cooking mastery - prepare delicious meals for your family and guests instead of grabbing a delivery.
7. Home repair - repairing things at home is not only empowering but also environmentally friendly.

Mindfulness Skills

If your goal is to develop personally and spiritually, consider learning some practical skills. Self-development is a broad area, so you can choose skills that best fit into your lifestyle and match your beliefs. One way or another, mastering these skills will help you develop self-awareness and become more grateful and connected with the world around you.

1. Emotional intelligence - understanding your emotions and emotions of others is helpful in all areas of life.
2. Self-awareness - when you eat, rest, walk, or shower, stay fully aware of your actions and present in the moment.
3. Gratitude - express gratitude for everything and everyone in life.
4. Resilience - don't give up when you face obstacles and adapt to changes.
5. Mediation techniques - learn different ways to meditate to minimize stress and connect with your inner self.

Professional Growth Skills

Some simple skills can be applied to the workplace. Communication, negotiation, document management, and related skills can help you stand out in the workplace or even find a new job. Just like any other skills, they help you develop personally and train your brain.

1. Professional communication - verbal and written communication, conflict resolution, active listening, and negotiation skills are sought-after in a variety of jobs.
2. Reading body language - understanding non-verbal cues and facial expressions is helpful to pass job interviews and handle face-to-face interactions.
3. Humble bragging - the ability to highlight your achievements without being arrogant is an essential skill for resume writing and job interviews.
4. Effective networking - knowing the right people can go a long way in building a successful career, so it is helpful to know how to build and maintain connections.
5. Office software - G Suite and Microsoft Office are the must-haves these days. Gaining advanced proficiency can increase productivity.
6. Project management - the ability to coordinate and plan project resources, deadlines, and subordinates is always an asset.
7. Work ethics - strong focus on quality and productivity makes you a valuable employee in any workplace.

If you are determined to move through the ranks and build a great career, here is a list of skills you can't do without: https://resumeperk.com/blog/10-professional-resume-skills-for-all-types-of-jobs.

How to learn new skills best?

If you are learning to draw or moonwalk in your free time just for fun, you don't really need any specific technique. However, if you are serious about acquiring one of the above skills (say, dancing, writing, or learning a new language), you will need a system to succeed. Here are our tips for effective skill-building:

1. Practice regularly - you have probably heard the saying "Practice makes perfect". To learn any skill effectively, you need to practice regularly. For example, you can take lessons twice a week and then at home on weekends. Such an approach will bring better results than practicing for three hours and then giving it up for two weeks.
2. Set a clear goal - "I want to learn to play guitar" is not a goal. "I want to learn to play three Billie Eilish songs before Christmas" is much better. Set a measurable and specific goal so that you can know for sure whether you achieved it or not. Keep it achievable either - if your goal is too challenging, it will overwhelm you rather than inspire you.
3. Find a mentor - learning anything is much easier when you have someone who can give you clear directions. A person who is an expert in dancing, taking pictures, or cooking will help you avoid mistakes and progress faster. Plus, you will feel accountable and this will motivate you.
4. Create a distraction-free environment - to practice effectively, find a quiet space where no one will interrupt you. Silence your phone and ask your family not to disturb. When you are focused, you learn everything much faster.
5. Celebrate milestones - reward yourself for small successes. If you achieved a small milestone towards the big goal, treat yourself and do something you like. It will additionally motivate you to keep going.

Learning new skills boosts your self-esteem, improves your cognitive abilities, and eventually makes you happier. Whether you want to learn a skill that will help your career or a creative, unusual skill, it will surely enrich your life.

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