E is for Eskwelabs Issue 73 - Lessons from Stepping Stones 🍃
This issue is all about building momentum, achieving fulfillment, and attaining a sense of serenity. 🌻
We created this newsletter to keep our alums, partners, and anyone interested in learning skills for the future of work updated and connected to our ever-growing community. If you want to read our previous issues, you can check them out here.
Ciao! This is Meg speaking. 😉 Writing Issue 73 seemed like going through stepping stones—uncertain yet exciting and peaceful.
This month we’re talking about seeking opportunities and making projects that can change the world. We want to explore what inspires and ignites passion within us, while also staying attuned to the sense of fulfillment and serenity that comes with immersing ourselves in the process. 🧘 Whether it's seeking out new challenges or staying committed to a long-term goal, we're committed to exploring the possibilities and making a positive impact.
I invite you to take this letter as an opportunity to take a mindful approach to our action-filled April. ✨ Relax your body and mind, and consider the following questions:
I have a lot of ideas, but where do I start? 🧐
How can I put my heart into creative projects? 💛
How has learning and growing with our community manifested in Eskwelabs? 📍
Happy reading! 📚
Reading time: 6 minutes
Step 1: Brave the stones and enter the path!
You are here 📍
As a kid, projects would look like putting together craft materials or building a fort in the backyard. 🎨 But as we grow older, our projects become more complex and purposeful. Have you also noticed how anxious feelings also become more evident as we take on more complicated projects? 🚧
The process is a lot like going through stepping stones—and this TikTok best articulates the feeling of taking on a new path. 💯 The narration goes:
The path forward isn’t always clear, but you have to move to the next stone for the following stones to reveal themselves. As you keep moving to the next stone, more options will become available. When you get to the point where you can look back, you’ll realize that the way forward was there all along. So the idea is to just keep moving even if the path is uncertain—because the next stone can be the one that leads to great things
Tiny, daily tweaks can lead to big accomplishments in the long run. 🏃♀️ Concentrate on improving by 1% a day and you’ll make consistent progress toward your ambitions without feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. 🌠
Imagine applying this mindset to fitness, or to saving money. Imagine making incremental improvements in your hobbies like gardening, cooking, or art. Picture yourself accomplishing one small task at a time at work, instead of trying to manage a lot at the same time. 📈 No matter what the project or initiative may be, key-shaped people CAN build momentum as long as consistent, intentional steps are made toward our goals. 🔑
Stepping Stone
1. : a large, flat stone that you step on to cross a stream.
2. : something that helps you get or achieve something.
What is one project you’re braving today? Let us know in the comments section below!
Organizing Ideas 🧐
I have a lot of ideas, but where do I start? Eskwelabs allows for the opportunity to create projects not only amongst external learners but amongst internal team members as well. 🌱
Previously, I discussed how we adopted the Learning Day, our version of a four-day work week. 📅 The success of the recent second iteration of this project is a testament to our team's dedication and expertise. 💪 I’m proud to share with you some outcomes from this initiative that come in the form of cheatsheets!
💃 Here is a cheatsheet made by Project Manager Glydelle Amon about stanning Kpop:
🏠 This cheatsheet about tiny houses made by Junior LX Designer Louie Cartagena:
🏁 And this one guides you on how to watch F1 like a fan—made by our Chief of Staff, Francine Tan:
It's amazing how these seemingly random topics could spark creativity and bring out unique talents and interests in our team. 🌟 This is just the beginning! We believe that in exploring different projects and ideas, not only are we able to learn new things, but we're also able to cultivate a culture of collaboration and continuous learning within our community. 🤗
Want to learn more?
💡 If you’re hesitating to try this out, this article might motivate you to launch this project.
🏗️ This blog is about what it takes to set-up this initiative within your own teams.
🗒️ Lastly, this resource will share insights about cheat sheets, and how effective it is as a tool for learners.
Step 2: Keep moving forward!
You are now in the middle of your path📍
When the challenge of not giving up arises, this letter will remind you of the many forms of joy in project-making 💘, including:
Learning and growth 👨🎓
Collaborating, celebrating, and leaning on like-minded individuals 🤝
Having much room for creativity and self-expression 🖼️
Feeling a sense of accomplishment and pride as you overcome challenges 🏅
Eskwelabs recently ticked off all those boxes as we launched our TikTok! 🎭
We believe that this is a great way to connect with our community and share knowledge about future-ready skills in a fun and entertaining way. 💃 We're excited to keep moving forward with this project and see where it takes us.⛰️
Have you ever wondered how many women buy themselves flowers on Valentine’s Day? 💐
Do you want to upskill and shift careers but don’t know where to start? 💭
Would you like some music recommendations similar to Flow G and Kiyo? 🎵
What new knowledge or skills would you pursue if you have unlimited time and resources? 🧠
Want to collaborate on TikTok with us? Reach us through our Facebook!
Remember, the path to making an impact is not always easy, but it's worth it. 👏 Keep moving forward and take it one step at a time. Focus on the process and the journey, and let the results speak for themselves.🍎 Let's continue seeking opportunities, making projects, and changing the world together.
Step 3: What comes next?
You’re almost at the end of your path, do you see other potential paths your way? 📍
Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards. - Soren Kierkegaard
Nothing beats the sense of accomplishment at the end of a project or a goal. 🥅 It is a reminder of our ability to persevere, to overcome challenges, and to reach our full potential. Furthermore, the sense of pride and satisfaction that comes from completing a goal or project can be amplified when shared with others. 🌌
To that end, we’re ecstatic to announce that we’ve just concluded our participation at the 14th ASU+GSV Summit! 🚀
Eskwelabs was the first Manila-based edtech startup pitching globally in the GSV Cup. 🤝 Our CEO Angela Chen-Delantar participated in conversations on AI-powered workflows and education innovation amongst other educators, entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and foundation officers.
This event was a great opportunity for us to learn from other leaders in the edtech industry and to connect with others who are equally enthusiastic about the future of learning and the future of work. 🌱
In case you missed it, we highlighted five sessions of interest to us along the themes of integrating AI tools into the future of work. These are conversations that answer questions like:
📈 How do we take learning in the flow of work to the next level?
💭 What is the role of skills intelligence in propelling organizational success and accelerating employee growth?
📋 How can companies implement mastery-based learning in their training programs?
🧠 How can L&D support the jobs of tomorrow?
💡 What are the conditions that facilitate the scaling of educational solutions?
We were also thrilled to join the Transcend Network at the summit! 😯 Our organization's growth has been intricately linked to our philosophy of learning and growing together with a community—which is why we’re featuring our fellow innovators from the network. 💯 Check out this blog post and find out why their work significantly contributes to building the future of learning and the future of work.
You can look forward to Issue 74 with more insights on this event! 🔍
There is no telling how many stepping stones there are along the way, and just like crossing a stream, falls and missteps might happen. But if we keep moving forward, take small steps towards our goals, embrace the journey, collaborate with others, persevere through challenges, and appreciate our accomplishments, we can navigate any path that comes our way. 🧭
I hope that in the time between now and Issue 74, you would have had a chance to reflect on your own journey and recognize the value of the stepping stones in our personal and professional projects. ❤️
Catch you on the other side, Eskweloves!
💌 Learning with you,
Meg Ruiz
Junior Content Designer at Eskwelabs