Athletes often cross-train by participating in sports that are different than—but also complementary to—their main activity. They do this to expand their range of skills; build muscle and flexibility, and, very importantly, to give themselves a mental break from their usual routine.

Creative people, too, can benefit from cross-training. Or, more specifically, through what I’m calling creative cross-training in my new 12-chapter course on LinkedIn Learning. In this course, we take a good look at how creative people of all kinds (designers, illustrators, fine-artists, and photographers, to name a few) can cross-train to expand their skillset, build and maintain their creative muscle and flexibility, and also to give themselves a mental breather from their usual creative outlet(s).

And this course does a lot more than just talk about the benefits of creative cross-training: it provides viewers with a wide range of real-world, hands-on projects that deal with photography, sketching, doodling, painting, writing, 3D assemblages, making mini-movies, watching real movies, brainstorming, and much more. So, no matter what’s the focus of your main creative passion, you’re very likely to find all kinds of creative cross-training ideas and outlets in this course. And who knows… one or two of these outlets might even lead you along the path of an entirely new career trajectory (and I’m speaking from personal experience here, by the way…)

How about taking a look at the first episode or two (or all twelve) and seeing what you think?