What it means to improve performance  

Improving performance means getting better at something by building experience and expertise. 

However, that is very broad. Choosing the right opportunities to improve your performance depends on what you want to learn and achieve. Here are some ways to identify them:

• Consider your interests and goals: Think about what excites you or what you want to improve. Enjoying something makes it easier to stay motivated. Lots of people who have achieved hugely started by exploring what they were enthusiastic about.
• Use development frameworks: Models like the Universal Framework or qualifications or technical standards can help you to understand where you currently are, and to identify areas for development. 
• Assess your strengths and weaknesses: Identify areas where you already excel and areas that need improvement. Look for opportunities that challenge you.
• Look at role models: Consider the experiences of people you admire. What skills did they develop? What experience or expertise helped them?
• Seek feedback: Ask others where they think you could grow. They may see strengths or gaps you haven’t noticed.

Think about boosting your own adaptability: Even if you’re unsure of your long-term plans, building a variety of skills can keep your options open.

Why it is good to seek opportunities to grow experience 

Gaining experience and expertise is valuable for improving your performance by:

• Skill development: Practising skills regularly helps improve them. The more you do something, the better you become.
• Confidence building: Trying new things and overcoming challenges makes you feel more capable and prepared for the future.
• Broadening possibilities: Experience can introduce you to people, ideas, and paths you might not have considered before.
• Increased adaptability: Learning different skills and gaining experience in various situations helps you adjust to changes more easily.
• Stronger decision-making: When you have experience in different areas, you can make more informed choices about your future.

Personal enjoyment: Developing expertise in an area of interest can be rewarding and give you a sense of purpose.

How to secure opportunities to build experience and expertise

Once you know what you’re looking for, there are many ways to find opportunities to gain experience:

• Join groups or communities: Whether online or in person, communities related to your interests often have events, projects, or discussions that can help you learn.
• Take part in challenges or competitions: These provide hands-on experience and motivation to develop skills.
• Volunteer: Helping others is a great way to gain experience while making a positive impact. This is a good way to build skills and show your commitment. 
• Look for online resources: Many platforms offer free or low-cost courses, mentorship, or project opportunities - including Skills Builder! 
• Start a personal project: Working on something independently—such as writing, coding, designing, or creating—builds expertise and demonstrates initiative.
• Talk to others: Conversations can lead to unexpected opportunities. Ask people about their experiences and any opportunities they know about. More experienced people will often be glad to share their experiences and offer advice if asked. 

By taking the initiative to build experience and expertise, you set yourself up for growth, success, and new possibilities.