Unusual Courses To Gift Your Favorite People That’ll Harness Their Best Selves

New year, new you, right? It’s not easy to stick to resolutions, but think of it this way: If you make the journey to self-betterment enjoyable, your goals will feel much more attainable.

As we accelerate into the next year, we’ve rounded up an assortment of not-so-basic courses that could help you and a loved one make the most out of 2023. And although doubling your reading or typing speed might not be your endgame, these skills could be tools to bring you closer to it.

Trust the process, have fun, and see where that takes you.

1. AI For Everyone by DeepLearning.AI: Turning artificial intelligence into your friend, no matter your background

Kicking things off with the letter A, for AI. Artificial intelligence isn’t just for developers and engineers anymore. This course by DeepLearning.AI is designed for the non-technical and for anyone who wants their team to get better at working with AI. 

Participants will first get acquainted with common AI terms, like machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, and data science. They’ll also learn how to spot avenues where problems can better be solved with AI, how to build an AI strategy in their workplace, as well as look into ethical and societal issues surrounding AI.

Also, worry not: This course is realistic and touches on what AI can—and cannot—do.

2. Art Journaling for Self-Care: 3 Exercises for Reflection and Growth—Getting in touch with your emotions through art

The human experience sometimes puts your mind in a jumble and sending your feelings into overdrive. If organizing your thoughts seems hard, consider trying your hand at art journaling. It’s helped artist and digital content creator Amanda Rach Lee with practising self-care.

Lee’s class takes you through three art-journaling exercises that she regularly incorporates into her personal journals. Through art, you’ll be guided to navigate your joys and challenges, process your feelings, and look into your present before visualizing your future.

Attendees will also learn to use Washi tape, scrap paper, and other materials to help get in touch with their mental health.

3. Metaverse Wealth Creation Course: Spinning virtual bucks into real bucks

The internet brought online marketplaces. As for the forthcoming metaverse, it could usher in walkable virtual boutiques, offices, shops, and much, much more.

Stay on top of the expansive digital realm with this metaverse wealth creation course, which presents the options that are currently available to attract more income right away. Most importantly, you’ll be prepared when the metaverse fully sets in.

4. The Speed Reading & Master Memory Bundle: Supercharge your brain with efficiency and effectiveness that will last a lifetime

Wish you could read your emails, books, and news articles in a fraction of the time? With this bundle of 135 lessons, you’ll be equipped with speed-reading skills that will last a lifetime, while also picking up tried-and-tested techniques to boost your memory and recall.

As it seems, the ways we were taught to read in school are partly to blame for how we process things slower. This bundle, which doesn’t expire, will also show you how to unlearn those methods and overcome them.

5. Kris Jenner on the Power of Personal Branding: You’re doing amazing, sweetie

You don’t have to be a fan of the Kardashian-Jenner clan to agree that it’s built a phenomenal brand, with a hugely successful empire consisting of well-loved beauty and fashion lines. Standing as its rock is famous “momager” Kris Jenner.

In her MasterClass, Jenner walks you through her path to fame and wealth, and how she has made them last. You’ll also learn how to create a personal branding story and make money from your brand.

6. The Perfect 100 Day Project: Your Guide to Explosive Creative Growth—Reaching your creative potential with the help of a challenge tailored to you

This unique class is for anyone who struggles to find motivation, hasn’t felt that creative spark in a while, or is a “world-class procrastinator.” Rich Armstrong, an artist and designer with ADHD and also the author of The Perfect 100 Day Project book, prompts you to design a 100-day project that’s best for you, and only you, with this fun tutorial.

At the end of it, you’ll be on your way to entering a “creative renaissance” of your own.

7. Triple Your Typing Speed – The Ultimate Guide to Keyboard Mastery: Zooooooooooom

Typing is pretty much a life skill since it’s something you do just about every day. The faster you type, the quicker you can send your point across, and the earlier you can get off work to focus on your interests. In this course, doctor and YouTuber Ali Abdaal, who clocks in at about 150 words per minute, shares how you can train to up your typing speed.

Things you’ll learn include choosing the perfect keyboard, using the ideal finger placements, as well as techniques to truly clickety-clack away. The class comes with free resources to supplement and refresh what you’ve just learned.

8. Jeff Koons Teaches Art and Creativity: Make your creativity pop like a balloon

Jeff Koons, who on several occasions broke the record for most expensive artwork by a living artist, teaches a class about transforming everyday objects into art, turning images and objects that hold meaning to you into personal iconography, and beginning with blank canvases.

Reputed for his Balloon Dog sculptures, Koons encourages learners to throw their self-judgment out of the window when it comes to art. Things to explore include color, scale, form, and texture to send your intended message across.

9. How to Travel Around the World on a Budget: Full adventures, light pockets

The thought of traveling doesn’t usually evoke imagery of large savings. Avid traveler Maxime Angelini, however, will show you how to stretch your dollar, pound, or yen. At the age of 28, he’s already been to nearly 80 countries.

In this course, you’ll learn how to keep your expenses low—spending only between $0 to $50 per day by being smart with accommodation, food, transportation, and experiences—while keeping safe and healthy during your round-the-world trip. At the end of the day, you’ll travel “longer, cheaper, and better.”

10. Career Advice from Some of the Biggest Names in Business: From Microsoft to Starbucks

Here’s your chance to get up close and personal with some of the world’s most influential figures.

The LinkedIn Learning course gathers enlightening insights from interviews with household names in business like Microsoft’s Bill Gates, Virgin Group’s Richard Branson, Starbucks’ Howard Schultz, Oprah Winfrey, PepsiCo’s Indra Nooyi, Goop’s Gwyneth Paltrow, and Priyanka Chopra.

11. The Ultimate Learn American Sign Language Bundle: Spelling deeper understanding with the people around you

Even those with no prior experience with American Sign Language (ASL) will soon be able to converse with it through this educational bundle.

Similar to the format of lessons for spoken languages, the course teaches fundamentals—like the ASL manual alphabet—with dedicated lessons to recognizing and signing words for food, occupations, animals, colors, and, of course, everyday phrases.

12. Malala Teaches Creating Change: Lifting causes to greater heights

Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate in history, is teaching a MasterClass about standing up against the injustices within your community and in the world around you.

Yousafzai, who has been advocating for the rights of women and children to education in Pakistan, guides learners through researching issues, building a strategy for a cause they care about, and driving change where they are.

13. Modern and Contemporary Art and Design Specialization by MoMA: Think and respond like an artist in an ever-changing landscape

The Museum of Modern Art invites you behind its doors to get right into the psyche of artists and designers and their processes, offering a glimpse into various experimentation styles.

Even those who don’t consider art their strong suit will appreciate the course’s guidance on critical thinking skills that creatives use in response to current social and cultural issues. Not to mention, you’ll leave this course as that friend in the group who can confidently talk about modern and contemporary art and design.

14. Animal Communication for Beginners: Reading between the woofs and purrs

Can’t understand why your cat is always waking you up at f0ur in the morning? This interesting course reveals how you may be able to connect with your pet energetically to understand their quirks.

The class, taught by energy healing practitioner Claire Bloomfield, prompts participants to tune into their animals’ behavioral, training, and health issues, and ultimately deepen their relationships with their pets.

15. Astrology - How to Find the Hidden Money in Your Chart: Your lucky star has been here all this while

According to astrologer Donna Stellhorn, your birth chart holds the secret to inviting the flow of money into your life.

Her course also teaches attendees to point out career and business opportunities within their charts, in addition to breaking down barriers that might be holding them back from prosperity.

This is a sponsored post.