Teachable moments #41 - Why Experience Stacking Is One of the Smartest Ways to Grow

If there’s one thing we Singaporeans are good at, it’s making the most out of limited time. We're efficient, structured, and always looking for ways to maximise value — whether it's getting a good deal at lunch, or queuing early for a promo.

But when it comes to personal growth and career development, we don’t always apply that same mindset. We tend to think in silos — take a course for one skill, attend a workshop for another, volunteer separately, network separately… everything split up, like different tabs on a spreadsheet.

What if we flipped the script?

What if we asked:
"How can I invest in one activity that gives me multiple returns?"

That’s what experience stacking is all about.

What is experience stacking?

It’s when you take part in experiences — whether professional, personal, or even social — that build multiple skills, relationships, or lessons at the same time.

Think of it as a multi-purpose investment. One hour of your time, but five layers of learning.

Let me give you a simple example:

I once took on a side project to train for a charity to equip their volunteering executives with relevant skills. On paper, it looked like a simple volunteering gig. But over the duration of that 2-yearss, here’s what I got out of it:

• Sharpened my training content

• Practised leadership by coaching volunteers

• Learned how to position myself to stakeholders

• Built relationships with people outside my usual industry

• renewed my passion for a meaningful cause

That’s experience stacking.

One effort, many outcomes.

Why this matters now

In today’s world, career paths are no longer linear. Job security isn’t guaranteed. Skills expire faster than ever. So if we’re just doing one thing at a time, we’re always playing catch-up.

Experience stacking helps us stay agile — because we’re building a portfolio of capabilities, not just ticking boxes.

You're not just learning how to code — you're learning how to communicate in tech teams.
You're not just joining a Toastmasters club — you're learning how to tell stories, boost confidence, and connect with diverse audiences.
You're not just mentoring juniors — you’re practising leadership, empathy, and strategic thinking.

How to start experience stacking

Here are a few simple ways to stack your experiences:

1. Say yes to cross-functional projects
   Don’t just stay in your comfort zone. Offer to help with something outside your job scope — even if it’s small.

2. Pick hobbies that stretch you
   Hosting a podcast, joining a book club, running workshops — these all build soft skills like communication, curiosity, and presence.

3. Volunteer strategically
   Find causes that align with your values and teach you something new. Don’t just donate time — invest it where it grows you.

4. Reflect often
   Ask yourself: “What did I learn from this experience beyond the obvious?” That reflection is what turns an activity into a stackable insight.

Experience stacking isn’t about being busy

Let’s be clear — this isn’t about hustling 24/7 or burning out for the sake of growth.

It’s about being intentional with your time and energy.

It’s asking:

“If I’m already showing up, how can I make this count more?”

Because over time, your stack of experience becomes your superpower.

Not just a list of skills on a CV — but a lived story of growth, resilience, and versatility.

And in a world where everyone’s trying to stand out with paper qualifications or fancy titles, your experience stack becomes the thing that no one else can copy — because it’s uniquely yours.

So the next time you’re deciding what to do with your time, ask yourself:

“Does this experience give me more than one return?”

If yes, go for it.

Because when you stack enough of the right experiences, you don’t just grow faster — you grow deeper and smarter too.