The best thing you can do is accept an assignment for work that is over your head. The kind of thing where you think, "I really don't think I have the skills to do this". Get the the requirements, any documentation you need and then just start writing. It doesn't matter if you do it wrong. Just do it. Make a little start. Then add a little bit at a time. It'll take forever. You'll have to backtrack constantly. But it'll be the 2 steps forward 1 step back kind of thing. You'll inch toward your goal. And suddenly it's a few weeks later and you're done.
I can't express to you the kind of satisfaction I've achieved when I've done stuff I thought I had no skill for. But those first 2 weeks are scary! I keep thinking, "Crap, I can't do this--I'm a fraud! Everyone is going to find out soon. Oh, what have I gotten myself into!" And then suddenly I realize in my brave attempt to just fake it I've actually accomplished something. My thoughts become "I think I can actually pull this off!" It's a very cool moment.
Diving into the deep end of the pool is the only way I've ever significantly advanced my skill set. Reading books/papers and writing little test things can advance your skill set incrementally, but biting off more than you can chew is the only way I've found to level up in life.
I can't express to you the kind of satisfaction I've achieved when I've done stuff I thought I had no skill for. But those first 2 weeks are scary! I keep thinking, "Crap, I can't do this--I'm a fraud! Everyone is going to find out soon. Oh, what have I gotten myself into!" And then suddenly I realize in my brave attempt to just fake it I've actually accomplished something. My thoughts become "I think I can actually pull this off!" It's a very cool moment.
Diving into the deep end of the pool is the only way I've ever significantly advanced my skill set. Reading books/papers and writing little test things can advance your skill set incrementally, but biting off more than you can chew is the only way I've found to level up in life.