The joy of learning: Why I keep discovering new skills
- The Office Elf
- Nov 6
- 3 min read
One of the things I’ve learned through my work as a Virtual Assistant is that curiosity is one of the most valuable tools you can have. Keep learning, is, for me, the best way to stay adaptable, confident, and fulfilled.
Over the past few years, I’ve made a conscious effort to expand my knowledge and explore new subjects.
My journey has included:
Carbon Literacy Training – building awareness of sustainability and understanding how small actions contribute to wider change.
AAT Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping – strengthening the financial knowledge that helps businesses thrive.
Level 3 Admin, PA and Secretarial Diploma – refining organisational and communication skills that form the backbone of efficient operations.
NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Coding – discovering how logic and structure drive the digital tools we use every day.
Individually, these are considered entry-level qualifications, but together they represent something much more meaningful: a mindset of curiosity and continuous growth.
Learning for yourself
When you’re self-employed, it can be easy to focus entirely on serving clients and forget about your own development. But learning something new, whether or not it’s directly related to your work, can reignite motivation and creativity.
Each course I’ve taken has offered more than practical knowledge; it has given me new ways to think, new questions to ask, and a renewed sense of confidence in what I bring to the table.
Learning for yourself isn’t just about adding lines to your CV. It’s about taking time to explore what interests you, stretching your thinking, and reminding yourself that growth doesn’t have to stop once you’ve established your career.
Keeping horizons wide
Let's face it, especially as a VA, AI tools are more and more present in our work and our daily life. AI tools can automate emails, process invoices, write text etc., and it’s sometimes tempting to let machines take over the heavy lifting.
But when we stop learning, we stop questioning, and that’s where our most human skills begin to fade. Curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking are muscles that only grow through use.
As a Virtual Assistant supporting purpose-led small businesses, I’ve found that continuous learning helps me serve clients more thoughtfully. It keeps me agile, adaptable, and better equipped to spot opportunities for improvement. Whether I’m streamlining admin processes or managing accounts, the skills I’ve gained through these trainings help me see beyond the immediate task to the bigger picture of impact and purpose.
The beauty of learning something new isn’t always in the qualification itself. It’s in the process: grappling with unfamiliar ideas, making connections, and realising how much more there is to explore.
The future belongs to the curious
As AI continues to transform the way we work, our ability to stay curious and think independently becomes even more important. The tools we use will keep evolving but our willingness to learn, question, and adapt will always be what sets us apart.
For me, learning isn’t about keeping up or chasing credentials. It’s about keeping alive that spark of curiosity that makes work and life meaningful. It's about staying open-minded and engaged with the world around me. It’s a reminder that no matter how much we know, there’s always more to explore.
Because in the end, learning isn’t just something we do to get ahead, it’s something we do to stay inspired.
Where to next? Any training you would recommend?
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