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Skills Development
8 min
Personalized 90-Day Training Plan
90 days. That's how long it takes to acquire a significant new skill and start reaping concrete benefits. Not 6 months. Not 1 year. 90 days of focused, structured learning. This guide gives you a proven template to plan and execute your skill development, with measurable results.
1
Choose THE skill to develop
The key to success: focus on ONE single skill for 90 days.
Selection criteria:
Career impact • Is this skill in demand in the market? • Will it increase my value/compensation? • Does it open new opportunities for me?
Feasibility • Can I learn it in 90 days (intermediate level)? • Do I have access to necessary resources? • Can I practice regularly?
Motivation • Am I genuinely interested in this topic? • Will I last 90 days?
Exercise: Prioritization matrix
| Skill | Impact (1-10) | Feasibility (1-10) | Motivation (1-10) | Score | |-------|---------------|--------------------| ------------------|-------| | Option 1 | ? | ? | ? | ? | | Option 2 | ? | ? | ? | ? | | Option 3 | ? | ? | ? | ? |
Choose the one with the highest score.
Warning: Resist the temptation to work on multiple skills. Dispersion is the enemy of progress.
Selection criteria:
Career impact • Is this skill in demand in the market? • Will it increase my value/compensation? • Does it open new opportunities for me?
Feasibility • Can I learn it in 90 days (intermediate level)? • Do I have access to necessary resources? • Can I practice regularly?
Motivation • Am I genuinely interested in this topic? • Will I last 90 days?
Exercise: Prioritization matrix
| Skill | Impact (1-10) | Feasibility (1-10) | Motivation (1-10) | Score | |-------|---------------|--------------------| ------------------|-------| | Option 1 | ? | ? | ? | ? | | Option 2 | ? | ? | ? | ? | | Option 3 | ? | ? | ? | ? |
Choose the one with the highest score.
Warning: Resist the temptation to work on multiple skills. Dispersion is the enemy of progress.
2
Define your SMART goal
A vague goal gives vague results. Be precise.
Goal formula:
"In 90 days, I will be able to [concrete action] at [measurable] level, which will allow me to [tangible benefit]."
Concrete examples:
❌ "I want to learn Python" ✅ "In 90 days, I will be able to write Python scripts to automate my recurring Excel tasks, saving me 5h/week."
❌ "I want to improve my English" ✅ "In 90 days, I will be able to lead a professional meeting in English with confidence, validated by a TOEIC score >800."
❌ "I want to train in management" ✅ "In 90 days, I will have read 5 reference books, completed a certified training, and practiced 3 techniques with my project team."
Also define: • How will you know the goal is achieved? • Who can validate your level? • What tangible proof will you have?
Goal formula:
"In 90 days, I will be able to [concrete action] at [measurable] level, which will allow me to [tangible benefit]."
Concrete examples:
❌ "I want to learn Python" ✅ "In 90 days, I will be able to write Python scripts to automate my recurring Excel tasks, saving me 5h/week."
❌ "I want to improve my English" ✅ "In 90 days, I will be able to lead a professional meeting in English with confidence, validated by a TOEIC score >800."
❌ "I want to train in management" ✅ "In 90 days, I will have read 5 reference books, completed a certified training, and practiced 3 techniques with my project team."
Also define: • How will you know the goal is achieved? • Who can validate your level? • What tangible proof will you have?
3
Structure the 3 phases of 30 days
90 days break down into 3 distinct phases with different objectives.
Phase 1: Foundations (Days 1-30)
Objective: Acquire theoretical basics and vocabulary.
Activities: • Structured course (MOOC, training) • Reading 1-2 reference books • Active note-taking • First guided exercises
Time: 1h/day minimum Deliverable: Summary of key concepts + glossary
Phase 2: Practice (Days 31-60)
Objective: Apply with concrete projects.
Activities: • Applied personal project • Exercises of increasing difficulty • Feedback from peers or mentors • Error correction
Time: 1h30/day minimum Deliverable: 1 completed project + portfolio
Phase 3: Mastery (Days 61-90)
Objective: Consolidate and transmit.
Activities: • Advanced or professional project • Teach someone (best way to learn) • Certification if relevant • Integration into daily work
Time: 1h/day + application at work Deliverable: Certification or professional project + article/presentation
Phase 1: Foundations (Days 1-30)
Objective: Acquire theoretical basics and vocabulary.
Activities: • Structured course (MOOC, training) • Reading 1-2 reference books • Active note-taking • First guided exercises
Time: 1h/day minimum Deliverable: Summary of key concepts + glossary
Phase 2: Practice (Days 31-60)
Objective: Apply with concrete projects.
Activities: • Applied personal project • Exercises of increasing difficulty • Feedback from peers or mentors • Error correction
Time: 1h30/day minimum Deliverable: 1 completed project + portfolio
Phase 3: Mastery (Days 61-90)
Objective: Consolidate and transmit.
Activities: • Advanced or professional project • Teach someone (best way to learn) • Certification if relevant • Integration into daily work
Time: 1h/day + application at work Deliverable: Certification or professional project + article/presentation
4
Plan your typical week
Consistency beats intensity. Better 1h/day than 7h on Sunday.
Typical week template:
| Day | Duration | Activity | Focus | |-----|----------|----------|-------| | Monday | 1h | Theory | New concept | | Tuesday | 1h | Practice | Exercises | | Wednesday | 1h | Theory | New concept | | Thursday | 1h | Practice | Project | | Friday | 1h | Review | Consolidation | | Saturday | 2h | Project | Deep work | | Sunday | 30min | Review | Next week planning |
Total: 7h30/week = 90h over 90 days
Tips for staying on track:
Block the time • Same slot every day (habit) • Notify your surroundings • Treat it as a non-negotiable appointment
Create the environment • Dedicated space without distractions • Tools ready in advance • Phone in airplane mode
Manage energy • Learning in the morning if possible • Not after a heavy meal • Regular breaks (Pomodoro)
Typical week template:
| Day | Duration | Activity | Focus | |-----|----------|----------|-------| | Monday | 1h | Theory | New concept | | Tuesday | 1h | Practice | Exercises | | Wednesday | 1h | Theory | New concept | | Thursday | 1h | Practice | Project | | Friday | 1h | Review | Consolidation | | Saturday | 2h | Project | Deep work | | Sunday | 30min | Review | Next week planning |
Total: 7h30/week = 90h over 90 days
Tips for staying on track:
Block the time • Same slot every day (habit) • Notify your surroundings • Treat it as a non-negotiable appointment
Create the environment • Dedicated space without distractions • Tools ready in advance • Phone in airplane mode
Manage energy • Learning in the morning if possible • Not after a heavy meal • Regular breaks (Pomodoro)
5
Set up the tracking system
What gets measured gets improved. Track your progress.
Metrics to track:
Quantitative • Cumulative learning hours • Modules/chapters completed • Exercises completed • Evaluation scores
Qualitative • Confidence level (1-10) • Ability to explain to someone • Application in real work
Tracking tools:
Simple (recommended to start): • Spreadsheet with daily tracking • Habit tracker (Notion, dedicated app) • Learning journal
Advanced: • Complete Notion dashboard • Anki for spaced repetition • GitHub for code projects
Tracking rituals:
Daily (5 min) • Check the "I learned today" box • Note 1 thing retained
Weekly (15 min) • Hours review • Schedule adjustment • Blocker identification
Monthly (1h) • Level assessment • Goal revision • Progress celebration
Metrics to track:
Quantitative • Cumulative learning hours • Modules/chapters completed • Exercises completed • Evaluation scores
Qualitative • Confidence level (1-10) • Ability to explain to someone • Application in real work
Tracking tools:
Simple (recommended to start): • Spreadsheet with daily tracking • Habit tracker (Notion, dedicated app) • Learning journal
Advanced: • Complete Notion dashboard • Anki for spaced repetition • GitHub for code projects
Tracking rituals:
Daily (5 min) • Check the "I learned today" box • Note 1 thing retained
Weekly (15 min) • Hours review • Schedule adjustment • Blocker identification
Monthly (1h) • Level assessment • Goal revision • Progress celebration
6
Anticipate and overcome obstacles
You WILL encounter obstacles. Prepare yourself.
Common obstacles and solutions:
"I don't have time" • Solution: Block 1 non-negotiable hour, even 30 min counts • Identify wasted time (social media, Netflix) • Combine: podcast during commute
"It's too hard, I can't do it" • Solution: Go back to basics, it's normal • Find an alternative resource (different teacher, different format) • Ask for help (community, mentor)
"I'm losing motivation" • Solution: Remember your "why" • Connect with a community • Celebrate small victories
"I don't see progress" • Solution: Compare yourself to yourself 30 days ago • Reread your notes from the beginning • Ask for external feedback
Plan B for tough times:
If you miss 1 day → Resume the next day, no guilt If you miss 1 week → Reduce ambition but continue If you miss 2 weeks → Reassess the goal or method
Reminder: Failure is part of learning. 80% of the plan executed is better than 0% of a perfect plan.
Common obstacles and solutions:
"I don't have time" • Solution: Block 1 non-negotiable hour, even 30 min counts • Identify wasted time (social media, Netflix) • Combine: podcast during commute
"It's too hard, I can't do it" • Solution: Go back to basics, it's normal • Find an alternative resource (different teacher, different format) • Ask for help (community, mentor)
"I'm losing motivation" • Solution: Remember your "why" • Connect with a community • Celebrate small victories
"I don't see progress" • Solution: Compare yourself to yourself 30 days ago • Reread your notes from the beginning • Ask for external feedback
Plan B for tough times:
If you miss 1 day → Resume the next day, no guilt If you miss 1 week → Reduce ambition but continue If you miss 2 weeks → Reassess the goal or method
Reminder: Failure is part of learning. 80% of the plan executed is better than 0% of a perfect plan.
Conclusion
90 days is both short and long. Short enough to stay motivated, long enough to get significant results. The key: start now, not tomorrow. Every day counts. Take 30 minutes today to choose your skill and define your goal. The rest will follow. In 90 days, you'll thank yourself for starting today.