We all have skills that are more honed than others. Some of us are excellent at reading and writing, whereas others can play an instrument like a leading musician. Talents are something that we discover and nurture as we grow. However, there is also proficiency out there that you can cultivate and develop over time. The skills that transform your life will depend heavily on your goals and what you want to accomplish. If you want to be a world-class dancer, then it makes sense to take some dance classes and practice your balance. But there are also some tools that come in handy for virtually anyone, no matter where your life might take you.
Communication
Communication is an art that’s overlooked in the world of instant messaging and social media. However, it’s one of the most valuable things you can learn. When you know how to communicate properly, you also know how to sell your ideas and yourself to other people. That means that you can convince your next employer to hire you instead of your competition. Your way with words can also make you more charming and alluring, whether it’s to a customer or a future love interest. Over the years, the more adept you become at talking to people, the more you’ll see new opportunities opening up to you. You’ll be able to meet new people who give you access to different jobs and chances for growth. You’ll know how to ask for a raise when you earn one, or when to get out of a tricky situation.
Technology or Computing
Unlike communication, which is something you can learn through practice in your day-to-day life, the technology requires a bit more structure to master. Depending on what you want to accomplish, you might even decide that you want to take out a student loan and go back to college. Earning a degree in anything from computer sciences to analytics is a great way to give yourself more selling points on your resume. If you’re not interested in following a tech career, any kind of computing knowledge can still come in handy. It ensures that you can work remotely without the help of an IT team. It also means that you can take the initiative in your office and get started on complex tasks without a lot of extra training. The world is going digital, make sure you’re ready for it.
Problem Solving
Finally, no matter how great you are at your job, your relationships, or anything else for that matter, there are always going to be problems that you need to solve in your life. Sometimes, these issues are small and easy to understand, like deciding you need to budget more when your income drops. Other times, you’ll need to be prepared to think outside of the box. Developing your ability to respond well to problems when they arise and think of logical solutions is a powerful skill to have. It will help you to manage all kinds of situations, whether you’re in the office, or at home. Plus, problem-solving can seriously reduce your stress levels.
Assertiveness & Self-Control
While this skill is often lumped into “communications” overall, it is important enough to carve out and mention on its own. It’s important to have your own compass in life and to know when to stand up for your and other rights when the situation calls for it. Don’t mistake this with blatant arrogance, or having an attitude of “always being right”. There are ways to assert yourself in any situation, while still being courteous of others, and preferably the avoidance of upsetting others. To sum it up, being assertive is about standing up for one’s own beliefs while respecting that of others.
Stress & Stress Management
Oddly enough, stress is often mentioned as a motivator of sorts. It can be said that there is a healthy amount of stress, just enough to illustrate the importance of the situation. Then there is excess stress. This type of stress is what causes unhealthy hormonal responses within our bodies. Unhealthy stress is often attributed to high blood pressure, being more susceptible to health and heart problems, lack of sleep, violent mood swing, and general irritability. Unfortunately, most of us are involved in situations almost daily that are out of our control. Stressful situations, while many times unavoidable, can be managed if you have the right skillset. There are many techniques, like meditation and relaxation therapy to name a few, that will help you to effectively manage the impact that stress has on you and your body.
