How to Learn New Things on Your Own (And Why It Can Change Your Career)

A few years ago, Rohan Mehta was just another front office associate at a mid-sized hotel in Jaipur. He was good at his job—great, even. But deep down, he wanted more. He watched the revenue manager make data-driven decisions, the F&B director create unforgettable dining experiences, and the GM effortlessly lead the entire team. And he wondered: How do they know so much?
One day, after a conversation with his GM, Rohan had a realization: If he waited for someone to teach him, he would always be behind. If he wanted to grow, he had to learn on his own.
So, he built a system. Here’s what worked for him (and will work for you too):

1️⃣ Start With a Problem, Not Just a Topic
Rohan didn’t say, I want to learn revenue management. Instead, he asked, Why does our hotel struggle with low occupancy on weekdays? That made his learning immediately useful.
✅ Try this: Instead of saying I want to learn marketing, ask How can I make our restaurant’s Instagram page drive more bookings?

2️⃣ Learn From People, Not Just Books
Instead of drowning in PDFs and YouTube videos, Rohan started talking to people. He had chai with the revenue manager, shadowed the F&B director for a day, and asked his GM how he made tough decisions.
✅ Try this: Find someone who knows what you want to learn and ask them just one insightful question.

3️⃣ Build a Small Daily Habit
Rohan didn’t study for hours. He spent 15 minutes a day reading articles, watching short videos, or listening to podcasts while commuting. Over time, those minutes added up.
✅ Try this: Pick one learning source and spend just 10 minutes daily. It’s more effective than binge-learning once in a while.

4️⃣ Apply What You Learn (Even in Small Ways)
One day, Rohan suggested a tweak in how they priced weekday stays. His GM noticed. A few months later, he got a chance to assist in revenue management. Today? He’s a Cluster Revenue Manager in Mumbai.
✅ Try this: Whatever you learn, find a way to use it today—even if it’s just explaining it to a colleague.

The Bottom Line

No one is going to hand you knowledge on a silver platter. The fastest-growing professionals in hospitality aren’t waiting for training programs—they’re taking control of their own learning.

So, what’s one skill you’ve been meaning to learn? Comment below—and let’s get started! 🚀

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