One word for life skills

noun. Usually life skills . a skill that helps a person to function well in adult life, especially in social or emotional situations: Schools can teach life skills such as persistence and resilience.

What are life skills called?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Life skills are abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable humans to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of life. This concept is also termed as psychosocial competency.

What are the 5 life skills?

Defining Essential Life Skills

• Communication and interpersonal skills.
• Decision-making and problem-solving.
• Creative thinking and critical thinking.
• Self-awareness and empathy, which are two key parts of emotional intelligence.
• Assertiveness and equanimity, or self-control.

What is life skills in simple words?

Life skills are defined as “a group of psychosocial competencies and interpersonal skills that help people make informed decisions, solve problems, think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, build healthy relationships, empathize with others, and cope with and manage their lives in a healthy and …

What are the 7 Life Skills?

These life skills include problem solving, critical thinking, communication skills, decision-making, creative thinking, interpersonal relationship skills, self awareness building skills, empathy and coping with stress skills.

Is cooking a life skill?

Learning to cook is an essential life skill that we should all possess. For anyone who thinks they could do with improvement in the kitchen, it’s possible and relatively easy to grasp the basics of cooking which can then be built upon, to grow a repertoire of quick and easy every day meals.

What life skills does cooking teach you?

There are many life skills required and developed by planning, organizing, purchasing food, and preparing snacks & meals which are part of cooking. In addition, there are many learning outcomes such as; healthy eating habits, taking direction, creativity, working with others, safety and responsibility.

Is cleaning a life skill?

Knowing how to mop floors, do dishes, clean your bathroom, your kitchen, change sheets and do laundry are essential skills for living out on your own. However, keeping a clean, organized living space will not only give you peace of mind but it will also help eradicate household germs.

Is cooking a good skill to have?

Learning to cook will help you understand world cultures, customs and flavors. You will also learn life skills like eating healthy, budgeting your money, and cleaning. Save some cash. Cooking is less expensive than eating at restaurants, fast food joints and school cafeterias.

Why is baking a good skill?

Baking enhances the cognitive activity of the brain, which makes you smarter and brighter. Expert bakers, therefore, are rare and coveted for their impeccable sense to taste, smell, sight, touch, and even sound as you listen to appliances working.

What are the essential life skills?

What are MITM’s 7 Essential Life Skills?

• Focus and Self-Control. Children need this skill to achieve goals, especially in a world filled with distractions and information overload.
• Perspective Taking.
• Communicating.
• Making Connections.
• Critical Thinking.
• Taking on Challenges.
• Self-Directed, Engaged Learning.

Why is cooking so fun?

Make your cake (and eat it) Not only does the process of cooking and baking improve moods, the feeling of satisfaction gained when seeing the end product naturally enhances happiness. You’ve created something tangible that can be enjoyed and shared, giving yourself a well-deserved sense of achievement.

Why do I enjoy cooking?

I got some great responses to that. Here are the main reasons people love cooking, summarized: The ability to be creative, and the sense of satisfaction knowing you can provide for yourself. The joy when your family tries a new dish you cook and they enjoy it.

Why Cooking is my passion?

Cooking with love is my passion. It helps me keep busy and connects me to the best of people. Through cooking, one also gets opportunities to learn by venturing into new territories, which motivates me further.

How does baking make you happy?

Baking is often associated with comfort food. Whaite explains that baking is a way to turn manic, erratic negative energy into something constructive. He found it an effective way to manage his condition.

Is baking essential to someone’s life?

Baking for others is a form of altruism. “Baking for others can increase a feeling of wellbeing, contribute to stress relief and make you feel like you’ve done something good for the world, which perhaps increases your meaning in life and connection with other people,” Pincus told HuffPost.

Is baking good for depression?

For people like Whaite, who was diagnosed with manic depression in 2005, baking can help their mood by providing small tasks to focus on in a manner similar to meditation.

Why is baking so relaxing?

When people feel stressed or anxious, they often look for distractions, and baking can be just that. Baking, according to psychologists, triggers our senses of smell, touch, taste and then, finally seeing our end result. They say having something tangible to show for your work will bring a feeling of accomplishment.

Does cleaning help anxiety?

Aside from the benefits of having a cleaner home, the relationship between a clean house and mental health can help you reduce your anxiety. What’s more, studies have found that having clean sheets and making your bed are associated with a better night’s rest.

Why is baking good for your mental health?

It improves concentration. A common symptom of many mental health issues is difficulty concentrating on a task. Baking forces you to buck that trend. Paying attention to what you’re doing is much easier when there’s an obvious (and in this case, delicious) reward for your hard work.

What does Baking do to the body?

By using baking as a form of behavioural activation, bakers that struggle with depression or other mood disorders can escape into a focused activity, occupying the whole mind/body spectrum. This redirection of thoughts is a subconscious form of therapy.

What is the disadvantages of baking?

There are also certain disadvantages of baking. Certain processed such as boiling and steaming require no use of fat, which is healthier as compared to baking, as it requires some amount of fat. Also baking tends to be a slower process as compared to cooking methods such as frying and boiling.

What are the dangers of baking soda?

Long-term and overuse of baking soda can increase your risk for:

• hypokalemia, or potassium blood deficiency.
• hypochloremia, or chloride blood deficiency.
• hypernatremia, or rise in sodium levels.
• worsening kidney disease.
• worsening heart failure.
• muscle weakness and cramps.
• increased stomach acid production.

Can too much baking soda harm you?

In too large a dose, baking soda is also poisonous. This is due to the powder’s high sodium content. When someone takes too much sodium bicarbonate, the body tries to correct the balance of salt by drawing water into the digestive system. This causes diarrhea and vomiting.

Can baking soda kill rats?

Baking soda (AKA sodium bicarbonate) kills rats and mice when they ingest it. This is because, when the baking soda hits their stomachs, it begins to produce large quantities of gas. As mice can’t pass wind, they have no way to release the gas and the internal pressure can eventually kill them.

What does baking soda do to your body?

In addition, baking soda has a variety of health benefits. For example, it can help treat heartburn, soothe canker sores, and even whiten your teeth.

Is baking soda bad for your kidneys?

Myth #1: Sodium Phosphate Can Detox the Kidneys But it certainly doesn’t detox your kidneys! In fact, taking sodium phosphate as a drug can be dangerous for people with kidney disease. On the other hand, sodium bicarbonate (AKA baking soda) is useful for some people with kidney disease.

What protein is easiest on kidneys?

15 Kidney-Friendly Protein Foods for Keeping Albumin Up

1. Burgers. Made from turkey or lean beef, both of these protein sources give you iron to help prevent anemia.
2. Chicken. Protein from chicken can range from 14 to 28 grams.
3. Cottage cheese.
4. Deviled eggs.
5. Egg omelet.
6. Egg whites.
7. Fish.
8. Greek yogurt.

Is drinking water at night bad for kidneys?

Given the quantity of blood that filters through your kidneys on an hourly basis, those few extra cups are as insignificant to your kidneys as barnacles are to a battleship. So the best time to drink water is not at night. It’s when you are thirsty.

Last Update: Jan 03, 2023

This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested!

Asked by: Kole Mayer

Score: 4.3/5
(69 votes)

Lifeskills meaning

Plural form of lifeskill.

Is life skills one or two words?

Usually life skills . a skill that helps a person to function well in adult life, especially in social or emotional situations: Schools can teach life skills such as persistence and resilience.

Should life skills be hyphenated?

Since problem solving follows the noun (skills), no hyphen is needed. Sometimes writers may use what is called a suspending hyphen, a hyphen that is used when two or more adjectives have the same base element, and the base element is shown only with the last term.

What do you call life skills?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Life skills are abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable humans to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of life. This concept is also termed as psychosocial competency.

What is life skills as skills for life?

he World Health Organization has defined life skills as, «the abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life«.

21 related questions found

Asked by: Kole Mayer

Score: 4.3/5
(69 votes)

Lifeskills meaning

Plural form of lifeskill.

Is life skills one or two words?

Usually life skills . a skill that helps a person to function well in adult life, especially in social or emotional situations: Schools can teach life skills such as persistence and resilience.

Should life skills be hyphenated?

Since problem solving follows the noun (skills), no hyphen is needed. Sometimes writers may use what is called a suspending hyphen, a hyphen that is used when two or more adjectives have the same base element, and the base element is shown only with the last term.

What do you call life skills?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Life skills are abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable humans to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of life. This concept is also termed as psychosocial competency.

What is life skills as skills for life?

he World Health Organization has defined life skills as, «the abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life«.

21 related questions found

Life is unpredictable! But we all need to sort it out no matter what. And this is where we come across the concept of – Life Skills. Well, all of us juggle so many balls daily, throughout our lives. Of course, this might be easy for some and overwhelming for others. 

But the question is – in which category do you fall? And if your answer is latter, then there is good news for you. Yes, there are certain life skills that can change the game. Hence, with these basic skills, you will be able to deal with your life in a much better way. 

So, gear up to acquire new life skills and to brush up the old ones. Here we go …

Life Skills – the Concept

SUMMARY
Life Skills are acquirable skills that are crucial to deal effectively with our daily life stances. This includes everything from maintaining health, having a budget to being self aware.

Do you feel like you are losing your control over life? Like, various things seem overwhelming. Or, maybe, you are sans mental peace. And instances like money trouble, bad health, cluttered homes and less time are daily scenes. Well, this might be because of the lack of certain essential life skills. Clearly, these basic skills seem to be very ordinary. But are part and parcel of a smooth life. So, lets see …

What is Life Skills?

Life Skills are acquirable skills that are crucial to deal effectively with our daily life stances. In other words, basic skills we need in everyday life to fully participate in all its aspects are known as Life Skills. 

This includes everything from maintaining health, having a budget to being self aware. So, let’s go through this master list of some essential Life Skills that can change your life –

Okay, learning these essential life skills will not give you a merit badge. But will surely make you a smarter grown up and a better yourself! So, note these vital skills that are compiled under various heads or aspects of one’s life. Here we go …

Personal Care Life Skills

This sphere includes the skills that are needed for your basic personal care. Thus, from health to schedule, all your crucial needs are covered here. 

1. Personal Health

Health is Wealth – you repeated it umpteenth times in childhood. But have you followed it? Well, this is the right time! Basically, your personal health skills include maintaining your Sleep Cycle, exercise and nutrition in an efficient way. And you can adopt this well with a little practice. 

1. Self Grooming and Hygiene

Of course, you’d not like to look like a homeless person with an ungroomed and stinky appearance. And salons are not always an option. So, it is crucial to learn basic self-grooming and hygiene maintenance skills. And with some practice, you’ll love yourself for being a pro in it. 

1. Maintaining a Proper Schedule

Everything gets messy with a messed up schedule. So, start with a well-planned and proper schedule. This will help you in managing your time and chores quite well. But mind it – make it realistic. So, don’t overdo in excitement. Simply, analyze your day and have proper time allotted to everything. 

1. Basic Discipline

You were about to start working out last weekend. And, as always, you procrastinated. Well, why? Because you are lacking the basic discipline. So, start following basic discipline in your life. And you will soon find everything getting in their place. 

1. Having Personal Medicinal Information

When was the last time you had a health checkup? If you can’t really remember, there’s a red flag. As an adult, you need to have a clear idea of your personal medicinal information. It includes your ongoing and past treatments, medicines or therapies you’re undergoing, your allergies, etc. Basically, everything about your health which you can’t rely upon a stranger. 

1. Self-Growth 

You’re here means that you are willing to grow. And that’s really good news. Because self-growth is a really important skill. You need to adapt changes and develop yourself accordingly. For this, self-growth skills are essential. 

House Keeping Life Skills

Well, this is like a really underestimated part. But you really need these. Afterall, your home keeping takes a great chunk of your life. And you should enjoy it, right?

1. How to Cook?

No doubt, you can’t survive without eating. And the same can be the case with cooking in certain unexpected conditions. So, make sure you have your hands in basic cooking. At least, enough to feed yourself. It includes using basic kitchen appliances, preparing healthy meals, and maybe making some treats for you!

1. Do It Yourself Repairs

DIYs are in trend already. And surely for a reason. Because you can’t always get help for fixing your things. So, you need to learn basic sewing, reusing old stuff, constructing, repairing, etc. The best thing is – you’ll not need to hire someone in an emergency or negotiate with them on high prices. 

1. Basic Home Making 

It’s your home. So, make it inhabitable! Well, unfolded sheets, piles of clothes, shoes on the desk and so on can be really frustrating. Thus, it is crucial to know basic home making for a smooth lifestyle. It can be anything from making your bed, managing your clothes, cleaning, and so on. 

1. Laundry

Dirty, stinky clothes are a big no no. Of course, you know it. So, learn how to handle your laundry. Picking up dirty clothes, washing and ironing it is the thing you should know. And the benefit – you’ll never be in an unexpected situation of being improperly dressed. 

1. Home Safety 

Sometimes little things can lead to big troubles. Yes, the horrible bugs on your bed or not working doorbell – the range is wide. So, you need to know the basic home safety skills like – getting rid of bugs, unclogging toilet, changing bulbs, etc. 

1. Setting the Table

Knowing how to prepare a meal is great but serving it is an art too. In a casual party or an official dinner, you would surely won’t like to show poor serving skills. Infact, your guests may take poor serving as an offence. So, learn the basic table setting skills. Besides, it will help you in learning the table etiquettes too. 

1. Decluttering 

It’s your life, not a big store room. So, learn to un-clutter things. That is, removing unwanted from your life. And this can be useless furniture, appliances, clothes, or maybe toxic people. In fact, it can be a crucial step in simple living too.

Life Skills for the Workplace

Workplace seems like a second home. Considering our time and efforts invested there, it is crucial to have skills to efficiently handle your workplace needs.

1. Clear Discussions and Meetings

In any professional environment, it is important to know the art of clear communication. So, learn how to easily carry on discussions and meetings. And this small step can save you from a lot of bigger troubles. 

1. Problem Solving

It is an important skill for your workplace environment. Problem solving is the skill of finding solutions by generic or ad-hoc methods to any complicated issue. Of course, this skill is equally essential at the workplace as well as in personal life.

1. Interpersonal Skills

This skill includes maintaining a healthy communication and relationships with other people. In any environment, cooperating with others, effectively resolving conflicts, and maintaining a positive interpersonal bond is the basic thing, of course. 

1. Maintaining Deadlines

No one loves deadlines. But meeting these are essential in doing your work effectively. For this, skills like avoiding procrastination and being punctual is needed. 

1. Adaptability

Things evolve. And you also need to adapt this change. This is why adaptive skill is essential. By this, you’ll be able to adapt yourself in every environment – be it a convenient one or not. 

1. Honing Your Professional Skills

By this, we mean the process of upskilling. As the market evolves, the demand for different skills also changes. This is why, having an ability to upskill oneself regularly is needed. 

1. Knowledge of Workplace Legal Structure

What if you have a quarrel with your manager and this shows the ugly turn during your promotion day? Or, maybe any such stances. Do you know the legal structure that can help you in this situation? Well, it is always better to be prepared for the worse. 

1. Asking for Help

This seems quite balant. But it is important. Yes! Basically, can you unhesitatingly ask for help from your colleagues when needed? If you get embarrassed or find it really hard, then you need to practice a lot. 

Life Skills for Travel Lovers

You’re a hodophile? That’s great. But what if you lose your way or have a flat tyre? Clearly, these minutiae shouldn’t ruin your travel plans. This is why you need to need these skills…

1. Driving

No doubt, this is the most important skill for every travel enthusiast. You need to have your hands in driving, better if in different vehicles. By this, you will not have to depend upon someone else anyhow. 

1. Mending Flat Tire

Of course, this is a very crucial skill for every hodophile. Be it an ordinary situation or stuck in the midst of an unknown place, a flat tire can invite a lot of trouble. Thus, learning how to mend a flat tire can save you in such a situation.

1. How to Use a Map and a Compass?

Do you love outside sports like trekking? In such a situation, you need to have the ability to read maps and use a compass. Because in such trips, you may come across any kind of unpredictable stance. Thus, better to play safe with these in hand. 

1. Utilizing Public Transport

You’re having your own vehicle, that’s great. But not everywhere in the world you will be able to use this. This is why knowing how to use public transportation is important. So, practice it in a while so that it doesn’t get overwhelming when needed.

1. Rechecking Home Security

When you leave the house for a long trip, it is time to ensure that you have done all preparations for home security. So that you don’t have to regret or worry about it on a trip. Thus, make sure your precious things are in the bank locker, your neighbours are informed, and other such security steps are taken.

1. Booking a Cab 

It’s another basic skill that you need to learn as a travel lover. Be it via a transportation service or by cab service apps, you should know how to easily book a cab. 

Life Management and Organization Skills

A cluttered life is what we all want to avoid. And these life skills will help you in doing so!

1. Time Management

This is about utilising your time in an efficient way. Everyone has 24 hours in a day. But some can use it well to grow while others just waste it. Now, it is your choice. Simply, cut on the things that distract you in managing your time well.

1. Creating a Schedule

Firstly, create a well-planned and productive schedule. Then put it  in a place where you  can see it from time to time. You can also get the free printables of a planner online. This helps you manage your time well. 

1. Identifying Goals

Without having a clear idea of your goals, you will never be able to achieve it. Hence, it is a right step to understand what you are looking for in the coming future. For this, sit down and think about your present, short term and long term goals. Now, note it down somewhere to revisit it. 

1. Day, Month, and Year Planner

If you miss your meetings or mess up your long term goals, then this is a perfect skill for you. So, maintain a day, month, and year planner. In this, you can record your steps as per the goals you made. 

1. Organizing Passwords, Important documents, Accounts etc. 

Your passwords, documents, and accounts are really crucial things to be taken care of. Otherwise, you may encounter quite an unwanted situation with these messed up. Thus, organise these. Also, keep a record of these and secure at a safe place for reference.

1. Packing

Packing your luggage for a trip or organising things at home is obviously a very useful skill. This requires your concrete intelligence and understanding of the spatial distribution. And with a little practice done under an expert’s guide can make you a pro in it.

Technical Life Skills

Technology is critical today. So, no matter what your age or stance is, developing these technical skills is beneficial for you!

1. Basic Use of Devices like Phone, Laptop, etc.

You may not be much into technology but basic use of these devices is essential today. You don’t need to be a tech-savvy or expert in it. Just the basic idea of how to use the devices, it’s basic functions, etc. can do the job.

1. Using Basic Home Appliances

From microwave to AC, you need these appliances in everyday life. Thus, depending upon someone for using these is not an option. Simply, learn it’s basic functions and it will not require much hardship. 

1. Using Online Resources

From making files to using Google, being skilled in using online resources can make things really smooth for you. Also, this will be helpful in managing your academic projects or professional work too. 

1. Internet Safety

Although the internet is a boon in many aspects, it can be a medium of harassment too for some. This is why you need to know the basics of internet safety. And this includes how to secure your data, reporting spams, avoiding cyberbullying, etc.

1. Setting up Internet Wifi and Cable

The Internet is nowadays the part and parcel of our daily lives. So, having a basic idea of how to set up your WiFi or fixing cable issues can save a lot of your time and energy. 

1. Backing up Files and Media on Your Devices

Your devices have tons of useful data. And you would not like to lose it in a latest update or something, right? This is where the importance of backing up the files and media on your devices come handy. 

1. Online Shopping 

Not every time you can visit your nearby store to get your stuff. And online shopping is one of the great ways in solving this issue. So, start learning how to do online shopping. Moreover, it is quite easy and time saving.  

Monetary Skills

Well, money matters! And this is why you need to have a strong hand in the matters of money. Here are those skills – 

1. Money Management and Investment

Earning is important but investing is even more important. So, having the basic skills of managing your money and smartly investing it is really crucial today. For this, you can take help of your financial advisor, an expert friend, or even a basic finance course. 

1. Using Credit Card or Debit Card Responsibly

Having a credit card is not that a big deal. But using it responsibly is. You need to keep a track on your purchases and savings to manage it efficiently. Also, make it a thumb rule to neither overuse it, nor miss it’s repayment dates. 

1. Budgeting and Saving

No matter how much you earn, it will be always less if you don’t have the budgeting skills. Yes. So, it is advisable to have your weekly and monthly budgets regarding your expenses. Also, as a pro tip, try to keep 20% for your savings and 10% for the debts aside and then use the remaining 70% to make a budget.

1. UPI or Internet Banking 

UPI or Internet Banking is a great way to pay bills and manage your monetary cycle in an effortless way. The best thing is – it saves your time, energy, resources, and many times, some odd bucks too! Also, you can automise these for the ease of use further.

1. Keeping Financial Record and Taxation

Doesn’t matter if you’re a business owner, freelancer or an employee. Having clear records of your financial files, taxation, and other matters is equally important for all. Infact, this is essential in the long term even if you want to apply for a loan or any such thing. Thus, better to not cut corners in this.

1. Handling Your Bank Account

Managing your account, depositing it, withdrawing money, etc. is quite basic but crucial. And having its knowledge can make things much easier for you. Infact, as already said, you can always use internet banking and automise methods to make it simpler.

1. Negotiation

Negotiation skill is critical to both seller and the buyer. So, in whatever stance you are, negotiation can always help you to avail better deals. And saving your money always makes you smarter. So, learn this with the help of your friend who is a pro in negotiation.

Life Skills for Healthy Relationships 

It includes your social emotional skills that connect you with others. Afterall, man is a social animal, right?

1. Healthy Communication

Positive communication is the crux of a healthy relationship. But it doesn’t always come naturally. At the same time, some simple efforts can do magic. Like, practicing Communication Exercises for Couples, or any such activities can make it smoother. 

1. Parenting 

No, it is not going to be another parenting advice. It’s just to make you aware that positive parenting is a skill that can be developed. Also, if you find things very messed up between you and your child, it is better to seek an expert help rather than depending upon the traditional methods.

1. Accepting Compliments and Criticisms

Accepting both compliments and criticism is an art. And with practice, you can develop this skill as well. This is a crucial skill for your interpersonal relationships as well as your mental health. 

1. Showing Gratitude

Being grateful makes us happier. And it makes the day for the other person too. So, why not acquire this simple yet wonderful skill?For this, start saying ‘Thank You’re more often. Sometimes, a smile, a nod can be magical!

1. Getting Rid of Toxicity

This is one of the MOST important life skills. Of course, you’ll always come across toxic people and toxic environments. But you need to have the ability to rise above it. This takes a constant effort, mindful practices, and positivity to do so. 

1. Being Sexually Responsible

Your sexual life is as important as any other crucial aspect, if not more. And you need to maintain a responsibility in this. Thus, strictly avoid unprotected or unsafe sex as it can lead to Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Also, discuss clearly your expectations with your sexual partner.

Student-Specific Life Skills

There are certain skills which are crucial specifically for students. Thus, be it a high school or middle school student, learning these skills can make your life way easier. 

1. Finding Right Books and Notes

As a student, you have to manage your assignments, projects, and notes. For this, the skills of preparing useful and crisp notes is important. Thus, with the help of your teachers or friends, you can develop the skills of browsing books and notes to get the right one. 

1. Internships

Internships can provide a great experience and ability to the students. And managing your internships and juggling it with your academic life can be a skill itself. For this, you can apply for Summer jobs or try your hands in online gigs.

1. Cleaning Your Dorm Rooms

If you live in a hostel, you must have known the importance of this skill. Managing and cleaning your dorm room is essential for having a decluttered student life.

1. Special Education

Student life holds so many aspects. And learning is the most important one. But this learning should not be limited to your academic skills. Instead, skills to get special education including emotional skills, social skills, etc. can be even more important.

1. Tracking the Essentials

You have so much to manage – grades, assignments, attendance, etc.as a student. But keeping an eye over all these things is crucial. You need to mark your important dates like assignment submission, tests, etc. Also, record your attendance, grades, and other aspects to focus on improvement.

1. Online Form Submission, Registration, etc.

This is obviously important, especially in today’s education requirements. So, fill up your forms, register online and manage these aspects yourself.

Life Skills for Kids

Teaching life skills to your kids is a great idea. Clearly, children learn things quickly at an early age. And this will help them grow in a better way too. 

1. Healthy Play-Study Schedule

Teach your kids to maintain a positive cycle of play, study and other things. Adopting these skills from an early age can be quite useful in the coming future too.

1. Basic Self-Security

Kids should know how to avoid any challenging situation. For this, make them learn the crucial details like the address, phone number, and others. Also, make them know what to do if lost in an unknown place or how to deal with strangers.

1. Doing Work Independently

Kids should not depend on them for every basic thing. So, learning how to do their basic work independently is one of the primary skills they need to develop.

1. Decision Making

Making small decisions for themselves is a great way for kids to develop self-confidence and independence. Thus, it is good to encourage them to do so.

1. Basic Etiquettes and Manners

If you’re a parent, then it is your duty to teach your child the basic etiquettes and manners. Developing these skills from childhood would help them to have a more attractive and charismatic personality afterwards.

1. Hygiene and Health 

Kids are more prone to develop unhealthy habits. Thus, making them understand the importance of hygiene and health can be a good step. 

TIP
Life skills activities: Teaching kids can be difficult sometimes. In that case, remember that kids learn better when they have some fun. For this, you can try some life skills activities and games to gather their interest. You can search about such activities online.

Life Skills for Teens

Teenage is a good time to teach your teen about life skills. Well, obviously! But the point is – adolescence is often difficult. And these life skills can help them in handling it efficiently. 

1. Handling Pocket Money

Good to learn money management skills as early as possible. And teenagers can be the best time for this. So, as a teenager, one can start with handling his/her pocket money in a more effective way.

1. Clothing

Clothing and fashion is a big deal among teen groups. And it is good too in a way. By this, teenagers can learn to experiment with their fashion taste and styles in a more confident way.

1. Personal Health and Grooming

Although we have already discussed the importance of personal health and grooming, it deserves another mention in respect to the teens. So, as an adolescent, one needs to give a special heed to their health and grooming effectively. 

1. Study Schedule

Now, academics is an important aspect of a teenager’s life. Hence, having a good study schedule is a great way to manage things well in the long run.

1. Extra Curricular Activities

Apart from academics, it is quite crucial to try various extra curricular activities as an adolescent. You can try different hobbies like painting, sports, dancing, or any such activities.

1. Self Awareness and Conscience

In adolescence, a person undergoes a lot of physical and mental changes. This may lead to inner conflicts too. And this is why, iris important to have basic self awareness and conscience skills to cope with these changes.

Professional Life Skills

Professional life is a really crucial aspect to be considered. And right skills in this aspect can make things quite smoother and beneficial for you. Here are these skills – 

1. Networking

In your professional life, networking plays a vital role. So, one can develop his/her professional circle via right networking. One can try professional platforms like LinkedIn or participate in networking events for this. 

1. Communication Skills

This is obviously very crucial in one’s professional life. Having strong communication skills can help one in networking, negotiation, cracking professional deals, etc. 

1. Knowing Latest Industrial Trends

Being well informed about the ongoing trend and insights about your professional industry can help you a lot. It can be beneficial in upskilling, and professional development too.

1. Conflict Management

Conflicts are inevitable in the corporate world. But assuming positive intent, having healthy communication, etc. can help you in resolving such conflicts effectively.

1. Career Planner

Your professional life is not only about what you are having at present. It also includes your future career goals. So, it is a good idea to plan your career in an effective way.

1. Professional Emailing 

Business emails decide a lot of your professional networking. Of course, knowing how to create effective professional emails can be a bit confusing. But with little practice and an expert help, you can develop the skills quite well.

1. Creating Your Resume and Cover letter 

Your resume and cover letter are the first things that your recruiters see. Thus, creating a professional and effective CV can really improve your chances of being selected. 

TIP
How to make your skills stand-out for a job? Add relevant skills to your resume and cover letter. Also, try to highlight your skills in the job interview by using the skill-words. 

Survival Life Skills

As we already said, life is unpredictable. Thus, you need to be prepared for the worse too. And this is not something irrepressible. You can actually put up with it with these survival skills – 

1. Maintaining General Safety

By this, you need to know the basic signs and signals, emergency rules, and safety regulations. Also, having an awareness about yourself and your surroundings is important.

1. Basic Self Defense 

No one knows when an emergency can arise. So, it is always better to be prepared for any kind of attack or combat. Hence, can have a basic self defense course to learn this skill. 

1. First Aid

Knowledge of basic first aid medical treatments can be life saving at times. Thus, this life skill is really crucial one. There are plenty of short term courses available both in online and offline modes for this.

1. Emergency Preparedness

No one can predict the future. And especially after the recent unpredictable times, one thing that all of us learned is to be prepared for any kind of emergency, especially the personal and financial ones. 

1. Saving Emergency Fund

It is quite advisable to save an emergency fund for the future. As expert’s advice, you should have a fund to survive in a deficient situation. This can be minimum for three months or for a year. 

1. Basic Vehicle Repairing

One of the most common emergency challenges one comes across is the vehicle breakdown in an unexpected condition. Thus, having a basic experience in repairing can help you survive in such situations.

1. Emergency Contact Details

You may encounter an unexpected situation where you’re staring at your mobile phone or such devices. And in this stance, knowing the important numbers like that of the police, ambulance, or emergency help boards can be really helpful.

Mental Health and Wellness Skills

Your mental health is very important. But in these life chaos, it often seems hard on your basic sanity. For that, some simple wellness skills can be magical. Yes!

1. Emotional Growth

EQ or Emotional Quotient is something that we don’t give enough heed to. But it is really important to identify and address your emotional needs and issues. Also, if needed, one should not be hesitant in taking professional help.

1. Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to analyse facts or data and make an effective judgement of any person or situation. With this, you will be able to handle your things in a more efficient way.

1. Keeping a Positive Mindset

Having a growth mindset can be beneficial in one’s self development. By this, you can always find something good in adverse situations and circumstances to make it better.

1. Self Control

No, you don’t have to be a saint to acquire this skill. It’s just the ability to control your emotions and desires in a positive way. Like, avoiding your favourite ice cream during illness or pushing yourself to complete your project is a part of self control.

1. Practicing Solitude 

Solitude is not equal to begin alone. Instead, it is the ability to be content in your own company. And thus can be a wonderful skill for your mental health and happiness in the long run. 

1. Simple Living

Do you always need so many people or resources to be happy? While this is not problematic, it is better to learn the art of simple living for a more fulfilling life. Infact, you can start the practice without any complicated stuff or rules.

1. Mindful Self-Compassion

Okay, this skill is really crucial for your mental health. If you try TOO much or expect a lot from yourself, chances are high you forget to celebrate your being. Well, self compassion is the skill to be compassionate to yourself by accepting all your flaws, fears, and failures.

Life Skills for Self Awareness

Let’s admit – this is the most ignored part of all. But equally essential, for sure. Afterall, who doesn’t know the one within can never know all without. So, pay heed to your inner whisper…

1. Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the art of being conscious to yourself and your surroundings. By developing this skill, you’ll be able to see things in a lighter and more positive perspective!

1. Basic Civics

The idea of the rights and duties of being a citizen of your country can be more helpful for you than you think. Well, of course, it can provide you better insights about your rights but at the same time, help you in understanding the things going around.

1. Basic Etiquette 

We have already discussed it for the kids. But etiquette is something that everyone needs to have regardless of his/her age or post. Infact, this can be really helpful in developing your personal and confidence too!

1. Identifying Your Call

This is the skill to understand the meaning or purpose of your life. To make it clearer, this involves figuring out your passion and the thing that you can do all your life. But this takes time. Indeed, a lot of time. Still, with persistence, you’ll unfold it.

1. Prioritising 

It is the skill to gather the essentials and get rid of the minutiae. Like, whenever you have to choose between the important things of your life, which one do you prioritise? For some, health is the priority, for others it’s career. And your can be anything. Just now which are the aspects you can’t bear to lose.

1. Healthy Focus

Focus is critical for succeeding in any aspect of our lives. So, it is important to improve your focusing skills. Opposed to the common notion of multitasking, it covers the aspect of focusing on one thing at a time but giving your best to it.

1. Accepting Your Flaws and Fear

We all have our imperfections. And these make us unique. Yes! So, as a skill, learn to accept your flaws, foibles, and fear gracefully. Indeed, you don’t have to always fix or hide your mistakes. Sometimes, accepting it is the gospel!

Bonus Life Skill

1. Being Happy

Well, being happy is a skill and an art. So, you should not use your composure and happiness no matter what the situation is. This includes being satisfied in what you have, finding happiness in little moments of joy, and overall never losing hope:)

Now, you can simply mark the skills that you need to develop. And with a bit of practice, you’ll be able to acquire it as well! So, looking for a motivation to begin? Well, knowing it’s importance may help. 

Importance of Life Skills

Life Skills are the skills that enable us to live life in a more efficient way. As things evolve in this world, these skills help us cope well with it. Infact, these life skills hold a great importance in different aspects of life. Let’s see –

In Personal Aspect

1. Acquiring Life Skills gives one the confidence in oneself. 

1. It enables us to develop essential abilities like problem solving, critical thinking, etc. 

1. It is a crucial step for leading an organized and fulfilling life. 

1. Life Skills can help us in improving ourselves in the terms of our physical, mental, social, and spiritual spheres. 

In Professional Aspect 

1. It prepares us to excel in our career via regular upskilling. 

1. These skills increase one’s abilities to effectively manage work requirements.

1. Some of these skills can play a crucial role in having a satisfactory career and professional life. 

1. It helps us in having positive interpersonal relationships. 

1. One is able to build a healthy social circle and network.

1. These skills can help in creating a more accepting, improving, and positive environment. 

Now, let’s see …

How to Develop Life Skills?

We can always boast to be highly skilled in papers. But in practical life, things differ. And to make you acquire these life skills in real life, we have compiled some actionable steps for you. Here they are –

1. Analyze

Firstly, analyze yourself. You should ask – How many of these skills am I already having?. This will let you know which skills you need to develop and which ones to just brush up. 

1. Plan

Now, plan how you will develop these. For this, give yourself a time frame – efficiently of around 21 days to 90 days. Besides, you can make a journal and record your daily/weekly tasks in regards to the specific skills. 

1. Execute

Next, you need to execute the plan. Start with whole will and confidence. Of course, you can do it. Just DON’T PROCRASTINATE. And put your nerves and sinews in this mission. 

1. Practice

Subsequently, it is crucial to practice a lot. So, practice these skills persistently. This will indeed refine them. Also, with some practice, you will gain the confidence to carry it effortlessly. 

1. Repeat

Finally, repeat and repeat! Of course, these skills are not temporary needs. Hence, you practice too need to be consistent. So, time to time, repeat the process and brush up your skills. Don’t worry. With some experience, it will be a piece of cake for you. 

Bonus Tips

So, here are some bonus tips that can help you in improving your life skills –

1. Start Today

No matter how little your first move is, if it is a move forward. Because most of the people fail in taking this very first step.

1. Break Down Skills

That is, focus on various sub-skills of a complicated skill. For example, to develop gratefulness you can start with a gratitude journal.

1. Relate it with Your Daily Life

So, whatever skill you are focusing on, try to relate it with your life, ideas, and routine. This will make you adopt it easily.

1. Make a Schedule 

That is, have a perfect time or day when you can practice the skill. By this, you will have a positive conditioning effect.

1. Be Attentive

Things happening around you can teach you a lot. So, all you need is – attention. Thus, be mindful and conscious of yourself and your environment, This alone will bring a great change. 

CAUTION
Rome wasn’t built in a day! And, nor can your Life Skills. Yes, accept it. Also, some people are gifted with certain skills while others need to try hard for the same. But this is not the end of the world. Rather a beginning. So, don’t push TOO hard. Just try and let it be.

So, 

Your Turn!

Learning is a lifelong process. Of course, there’s no specific time or age to grow. And this is the same for life skills. Some skills sort our emotional being, some our social life. Maybe, some help us to succeed in our careers while others save us in an emergency. Some make us healthier, others make our life fulfilling. Thus, what matters is – to embrace the best and move on on our path… 

Do you have the basic life skills to be an adult? Don’t miss this massive list of the 48 life skills EVERYONE should learn.

In theory, most of us know we should be prepared for anything. But the reality is we can sometimes feel woefully unequipped to handle all the curve-balls life throws our way. Let’s face it—sometimes it is HARD to be a grownup! And some of the time we are so focused on ensuring our children learn their own life skills, that we forget to make sure we’re learning the life skills we need for our family.

So what is a life skill? According to the dictionary …

life-skill (noun)

plural noun: life skills

A skill that is necessary or desirable for full participation in everyday life. “Sharing with a sibling can help children learn important life skills.”

Could you earn all your merit badges for life skills? I’ve compiled a list of the basics but I’d love to hear what all of you see as THE vital life-skills everyone should know. From sewing on a button to basic budgeting, what are the things you need to be a fully functional and thriving grownup?

Here are mine…

Housekeeping Skills

1. Basic Housekeeping Skills + How to Clean

From making your bed to laundry basics, we all need basic housekeeping skills. This means everyone! Men and women, from college students to grandparents: keeping a tidy house is a life skill that ensures the health of your family, keeps you organized and able to find what you need, and saves you money so you can keep living the Good Life. If you aren’t sure where to start, try our Beginner’s Guide to Cleaning. If you need help with maintenance, try creating a cleaning schedule or start speed cleaning. To make sure you’re keeping all the bad germs out and away, especially with this virus going around, check out How to Illness Proof Your Home.

2. How to Cook … Something

Not all of us are gourmet chefs. I happen to love minimal-effort freezer meals. They allow me to get the “chore” of cooking out of the way, while still providing nutritional dinners for my family. If you’re not a big fan of the kitchen, have a few low-effort dishes in your repertoire you feel confident whipping up. Even if it’s just macaroni and cheese, the ability to cook a meal and eat it is a necessary life skill—it’ll save you when your favorite takeout restaurant is closed for a holiday, there’s no time to go to the store, or in the midst of a global pandemic.

3. Basic Sewing

There’s a movement among the blogosphere that dictates everyone should be a skilled seamstress, able to fashion a wardrobe for their families. I do not fit this profile. However, I do enjoy making creative crafts and occasionally I’m willing to break out my sewing machine for a quick, easy and fun project. Don’t have a machine? Being able to sew on a button or fix a hem by hand are simple skills that can extend the life of your clothes and they take just seconds to learn. It doesn’t have to be perfect!

4. Home Repairs 101

We all know DIY can help you save big time on home repair. You don’t have to shoot for pro-level electrician or plumber here, but when you’re able to refrain from forking over cash every time you have a minor household issue, it really does help your bottom line. Home Depot, Lowes and other home improvement chains offer classes and workshops that will be available again to help you tackle your next home repair. Plus, there’s something really satisfying about re-caulking a shower or fixing a leaky faucet yourself!

5. How to Unclog a Toilet or Sink

Yes, it’s the “life skill” no one wants to have, but let me tell you: if you’ve ever clogged a toilet at a party or walked into an overflowing bathroom when someone’s flushed a washcloth (or their sister’s dress) down the toilet, you’ll be grateful you know how to wield a plunger. There are a surprising number of tutorials and YouTube videos on how to creatively unclog a toilet, but when in doubt, go with the old standby—the plunger.

6. How to Use Kitchen Appliances

From knowing how to deep clean your fridge and maintain its efficiency to understanding how to really use all the settings on your bread maker, kitchen appliances are sometimes mysterious and not often thought about. If you have anything in your kitchen you don’t use or that’s too complicated to use, ask yourself if it’s taking up space or if it’s valuable enough to invest 10 minutes of your time learning how to take advantage of the full functionality of the appliance. A surprising number of appliances are one-trick ponies that eat up space, but really understanding the settings on your food processor or your countertop grill can eliminate the need for a bunch of counter-clutter.

Technical Skills

7. How to Use a Calendar & Schedule

The ability to use a clock and a calendar is at the foundation of time management—which is a life skill in itself. A calendar simplifies your life and helps you get everything done, every day. You don’t have to live and die by your calendar, but learning how to block off time for activities and scheduled events will make your life SO much easier.

8. How to Write

Now, I’m not saying everyone needs to be able to blog or that you need to be able to write a masterpiece at the drop of a hat, but having a basic understanding of sentence structure and written expression can take you far in life. Some people HATE writing with the fire of a thousand suns, while others feel it’s the only way they truly express their inner thoughts. If you’re of the former school, consider taking a basic creative writing class or finding a writing course online that can help you brush up on those skills

9. Public Speaking

Similar to writing, speaking—especially public speaking—can cause some of us to cower in the corner while others take to it like fishes in the water. Public speaking is not my favorite thing, but everyone can learn some helpful tips for speaking better, like remembering to breathe, being prepared and connecting with your mission and expressing it to your audience. If you’re brave and once you can, take the plunge and sign yourself up for a speaking opportunity, a talk in church, or the open forum at your PTO meeting. The more you practice, the better you’ll become.

10. Effective Communication

Whether we’re talking about writing or speaking, communication is a vital life skill that encompasses both. No one makes it through this world alone, so learning to communicate with others will help you get where you need to be in life—and it’s definitely a learned skill. It’s about expressing your needs and desires while understanding and relating to others’ needs and desires. Communicating with your spouse, your children and your friends can help you learn, grow and become stronger. It’s through communication that we form relationships and friendships, so being good at it means you’ll be successful in your interactions with others.

11. Technology 101

Okay, I still can’t always do everything on my phone to “un-tap its full potential,” but basic computer skills are necessary for life today. At a minimum, you should be able to email and use the internet for basic searches. Technology can be a powerful and useful tool that can truly simplify your life. So let go of the fear that you’ll “break” something or click on something that you can’t undo. It’s worth it.

12. How to Back Up Files

Speaking of mistakes you can’t undo, let’s hope you haven’t learned this one the hard way. All of us have been working on something only to watch it crash or disappear, leading to fear and panic. Save. Save your files and save them often. Learn to back up your phone and computer to the cloud or to an external hard drive. Nothing is more devastating than losing hours and hours of work because you didn’t back it up. If you’re a blogger, writing a post somewhere like Google Drive or Dropbox where files are automatically saved every few minutes versus directly in the blog program can save you an a lot of pain and frustration if a post goes awry.

13. How to Protect Passwords

While it may seem like a minor detail, all too often I hear, “I just use the same password for everything.” … DANGER! Passwords are like keys. Can you imagine using the same key for your car, house, and office, then making copies of that key and stashing it all over town? That would be ridiculous! Well, using the same, unprotected password for everything is the equivalent. Try a password management tool like 1Password to help you simplify, keep track and protect your data.

14. How to Research (Using Something Other than Google and Wikipedia)

Googling an answer is the solution to almost everything these days, but everyone should understand that the results you get from a basic search often do not come from scholarly (or even reputable) sources. Wikipedia is an open-source forum where anyone can add his or her own “spin” on information. WebMD, as helpful as it is, doesn’t answer every medical question. Rather than just Googling something, learn how to do real research when you need more in-depth information.

Survival Skills

15. How to Keep Yourself Safe

It’s natural human instinct to WANT to stay safe and avoid unsafe situations, but we see on the news and in our own lives, many people who go against that logic and put themselves in unsafe situations. This can be anything from driving home after that third glass of wine to walking in an unfamiliar neighborhood at night. Not to say you shouldn’t take risks, but you should learn to take precautions in all situations, from phoning a friend to being aware of your surroundings to just saying no.

16. Emergency Preparedness

When a disaster hits, like a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, or a global pandemic like COVID-19, would you know what to do? What if your house burned down or you were in an accident? Emergency preparedness can sometimes seem extreme or scary, but having basic emergency skills and knowing what to do if a catastrophe strikes can help you gain peace of mind and keep you and your family safe from harm. And it’s definitely not too late to take action on any of these today!

17. Basic First Aid

Do you know what to do if someone has a deep cut or a broken bone? Do you know the signs of a heart attack, a stroke or a concussion? As moms, we often have to be many things, but when we have to bring out the doctor’s bag, it can be our most critical role. Pick up a basic first aid book if you feel like your skills are rusty. It’s common to panic in emergency situations, but if you’re well versed in first aid, you’ll be able to rely on your instincts and knowledge and you’ll come to the rescue with a cooler head.

18. How to Survive Without Electricity

Like emergency preparedness, the prospect of going without electricity can be a little daunting and scary. How many of us go camping? (Or backyard camping?) Being able to unplug and entertain yourself without technology or even without the use of lights, television sets, and the stove is a skill, which at the very least will get you and your family through the next power outage, and at best, will help you communicate better and get away from your cell phones once in a while.

19. How to Read a Map

With GPS available on nearly every smartphone, I know map reading is rapidly becoming an obsolete skill. But aside from having to learn this skill for the occasional digital detox, map reading is vital, even if it’s just so you can gain a basic understanding of geography and route yourself accordingly. Anyone who’s tried to navigate a subway system or spent time in a rural area with spotty data service quickly realizes the merits of being able to read a good ol’ fashioned map. Brush up on your map skills and learn to take inventory of your location wherever you are. It’s a safe practice and it just may help you find your car in that mall parking garage someday. It’s also a wonderful life skill to teach your kids who heavily rely on that GPS map.

20. Car Repair 101, including How to Fix a Flat Tire

There are lots of reasons NOT to learn how to fix a flat: it’s NO fun, you have AAA or another type of roadside assistance, or maybe you don’t have a car and use public transportation. That’s all great, and if it works for your lifestyle, by all means, skip on to the next life skill. However, if you have a car, you should understand basic maintenance, even if it’s purely to keep you from getting ripped off at the repair shop. Brush up on your skills at DMV.org. Depending on where you grew up, pumping your own gas might seem laughable or may present a real challenge. If you’re from New Jersey or Oregon, you may be surprised when you travel to other states and can’t find a full-service station. Brush up on your basic car skills so you feel comfortable when you’re behind the wheel.

21. How to Write a Resume & Cover Letter

Whether you work from home or are a full-time homemaker, understanding how to write a basic resume and cover letter is a vital life skill—especially if you find yourself in need of employment. Getting a part-time job can help you provide for your family or bridge a gap in times of need. Having a creative, well-crafted resume and cover letter will help you get your foot in the door. Many employment firms, colleges, and community education centers offer resume classes and many have staff who are happy to look over your resume and give you tips.

Money Management Skills

22. How to Budget

The ability to budget and be financially responsible is absolutely vital to your life skillset. Whether you’re just starting out on getting a handle on your finances or you’re an experienced, coupon-clipping, money-saving guru, understanding your budget is the first step to achieving financial peace and security. It’s a skill we can learn from a very young age and one we should build on throughout our lives. Get started with a spending freeze or go through our Budget 101 resources.

23. How to Avoid/Get Out of Debt

Oh, debt … we talk a lot about financial peace and getting yourself out of debt. Being debt-free is a freedom like none other—but it takes a lot of work to get there. Learning to live within your means is definitely a learned skill. Learning to slay your debt is about keeping your spending in check and managing a plan to pay off your debt quickly and efficiently. We refer to it as a war, slaying, tackling and fighting because it’s truly challenging! But the amazing thing is, with a little practice, avoiding debt is a war you can win.

24. How to Make a Major Purchase

Maybe you’re about to buy a home or a car—or maybe just your first washing machine. Whatever it is, you should understand how to compare prices, how to do research via Consumer Reports, and how to make a smart purchase.

25. Balancing your bank account

This one seems so silly I almost didn’t put it in here, but then I thought about it. How many of us just use our debit card without writing things down? How many of us pay bills online or have them set up to automatically be debited from our accounts and then sort of forget until they show up on bank statements? Being able to record your expenses is a skill that will keep you in touch with your finances. It keeps you immediately accountable for what you’re spending. If you need to get a jumpstart on balancing your finances, try committing to writing things down for a month and see if you notice a difference in your spending patterns.

26. How to Use Coupons

Coupons will save you so much money! Yes, it’s a skill and it can seem a little daunting, but it’s really easy to get started. Most stores now offer e-coupons that you can clip right on your phone and then just have them scanned once you are at the register. Check with each store for their policies. With a little organization and some practice, you’ll become a couponing queen (and you’ll rarely catch yourself paying full price for ANYTHING).

27. How to Organize Financial Records

Many of us would love to just toss receipts and forget about it, but a key component of being able to save, spend less and be fiscally savvy is getting your financial records organized and clear. This means tracking your expenses and writing down your budget. At any given time, you should be able to quickly ascertain where you are within your budget, what you have in your accounts, anything you owe, and your credit score. It will help you be honest with yourself about where you are financially.

28. Money Management/Investing

Once you have your debt paid off, understanding how to invest your money wisely is a huge learning experience. Even people who have money to spare have trouble with investments and making that money grow. Really, there are very few ways to “get rich quick” short of winning the lottery, and most investing and money management attempts have to be carefully vetted and researched, and completed with the assistance of a professional who understands your willingness and risk aversion so they can guide you to the best investments.

29. How to Select a Tax Professional

We all think about getting a great tax refund and what we might owe come tax time. While saving on taxes by doing them on your own can seem like a good idea, a tax professional can pay for themselves in spades. These people go to school to carefully study tax law. They’re up on the latest IRS changes and they can protect you and help you make the right choices. Find a proven professional by looking for an Endorsed Local Provider. This will ensure you find someone who is screened and comes highly recommended.

30. Effective Negotiation

Bargaining, bartering, negotiating—it’s a learned life skill many of us shy (or run) away from. Learning how to trade, make an offer, and be comfortable with asking for a better deal can save you money. It can also be a valuable skill when you’re faced with a tricky money situation (like asking for a raise) where negotiating is essential and expected. Don’t shy away from making a bargain. Challenge yourself to practice until you feel comfortable. Whether that means saying, “Is that the best you can offer?” over your next big purchase, or setting up a swap with a friend, practicing negotiating will help you learn to stop cringing whenever a negotiating opportunity presents itself.

31. Calculate a Tip

Many service industry professionals rely on tips to supplement their income and bring home a livable wage. I think most of us want to be generous tippers, especially for good service, but sometimes doing a quick calculation can be embarrassing when it takes more than a few moments to figure. Plus, there’s always that question of, “How much do I tip?” for things like the valet, at the nail salon, or in the powder room. Understanding tipping and learning easy ways to calculate a tip are pretty simple life skills to learn, but they make all the difference in assuring you’re reflecting the right appreciation and acknowledgment for a job well done.

Self-Awareness Skills

32. Understanding Your Calling, Purpose & Mission

Understanding your higher purpose, your “calling” and what drives you helps set a foundation for everything you do. Crafting not only a family mission statement but a personal mission statement can help you keep your focus on your most important life goals.

33. How to Prioritize and What Your Priorities Are

We all have to learn how to prioritize the most important things each day, so we can take care of the most necessary (and often the toughest) tasks first. In the ER, doctors and nurses call it triage. It’s being able to assess a situation, size it up and figure out what needs to be tackled first. We’ve talked about it as “Eating the Frog.” Do the big, bad, tough things first and get them under control so you can move forward.

34. Understanding Your Values

Similar to understanding your mission, understanding your values (and refusing to compromise on them) will give you guidance through any decision. If honesty is one of your values, then next time you’re put in a compromising position you’ll never be tempted to lie—because you know honesty is so important to you. If family communication and connectedness is a top value, then you’ll use that to guide your decisions that affect your kids. Write out your values and refer to them whenever you’re facing a tough choice.

35. How to Focus

This is twofold: first, how to focus on a task when you’re facing a deadline or when you need to get something done; and second, how to focus your direction, your actions and your goals so you’re always in line with your values and holding true to your personal mission.

36. How to Have a Sense of Humor

Parents of tweens are aware of the time in their development when kids start to “get it.” Suddenly they can detect subtle tones in conversation, they learn to be sarcastic and yes, funny. Some adults still struggle with this, but finding the humor in any situation (and even the joy in the toughest ones) will get you far. Humor can help us deal with pain, stress, and problems in life, and can help us find the silver lining.

37. Basic Etiquette

Gone are the days of Emily Post and worrying about being judged for failing to use the proper fork at the dinner table (unless your family is VERY formal). Understanding basic etiquette, however, is still relevant and vital in today’s society. Politeness is about consideration for the feelings of others and making sure you don’t do something that offends or frankly, grosses people out. (Like chewing with your mouth closed. And, for gosh sakes, clip your fingernails at home, not on the bus!)

38. Basic Civics/How to Vote

Say what you will about politics (and I know, many of us loathe talking about them and we don’t want to be “that guy” or “that gal” at dinner parties), but it’s part of the fabric of our American society—and it’s part of our civic duty to vote. If there’s a problem you see in the world or in your own neighborhood, voting gives you a voice and the ability to express your opinions toward change. You can’t complain about those in office if you refuse to vote. Plus, it’s good practice as an American Citizen to understand how the basic systems of government are structured and how they work.

Relationship Skills

39. Listening & Communication in a Partnership

Communication in a marriage or relationship (and even with your children) is very different than general communication skills. It’s about listening, being unselfish and empathetic and tackling difficult conversations without prejudice. Words matter, as they can be hurtful or beautiful. They can bring us closer to each other and closer to God, or they can rip us apart. Learning to think before you speak and listen more than you talk are communication tools that will serve you throughout your life and in all your close relationships.

40. Valuing & Expressing Respect

At the heart of every successful marriage, there’s mutual respect. I don’t believe any of us have the perfect marriage (I know I don’t!) but respecting our spouse and our differences can help your marriage become stronger and happier. Learn to view your spouse through the lens of another human being with feelings, desires and wants that yes, may not always match your own. Understanding the underlying motivations and emotions underneath it all and respecting them as valid will strengthen your marriage.

41. Valuing & Expressing Love

Love is about buying gifts and spoiling your children and spouse, right? WRONG. Love is about quality time, affection, expression, and understanding. We all know what Hollywood and Hallmark say love is, but we also know love is about so much more. To love and to be loved is truly a life skill and something that takes work. After all: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” —1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

42. How to Accept Compliments & Criticism

Accepting both compliments and constructive criticism isn’t easy! Oftentimes we fail to accept compliments with grace or downplay them and get embarrassed, and yet, we’re sometimes crushed by criticisms (even if they’re valid) and we take them personally and to heart. Learning to simply say, “thank you” when you get a compliment and learning to view criticism as feedback (assess it, then apply it or throw it away) can serve you well.

43. Emotional Intelligence

Today’s moms have likely heard all the buzz about social-emotional learning. If you’re in the business world, you’ve probably also read a lot about how social and emotional intelligence are important in the workplace. Why is this? Well, because people are finding that being emotionally intelligent can be just as important as understanding the nuances of engineering or physics. As the human population grows and we become more global in our interactions, being sensitive to others, understanding emotions and learning to harness them in a positive way can be a make or break life skill. Fortunately, you can work on your emotional intelligence throughout your life and apply it throughout.

44. How to Write Thank You Messages

Thank you cards are a bit of a lost art, but they really brighten the day of those who receive them. They’re a great way to express gratitude and appreciation to others. Writing a thank you note is simple: say thank you for x, y, z and tell the person how you plan to use their gift or the result of their help. Reiterate what it means to you personally and then close. It’s a skill that takes very little time and means so much.

Wellness & Mental Health Skills

45. Critical Thinking + Problem Solving

If you took a logic class in college or you’ve experienced an “If this, then that” question on a test, then you’re familiar with logic. Unfortunately, it’s not a skill everyone has. Yes, this life skill is about your ability to prioritize, but it’s also about your ability to break a situation down and make choices. It’s about measuring possible outcomes and building your thinking skills to tackle life’s little bumps. To improve your problem-solving skills, try brain-training programs like Lumosity or Fit Brains. When it comes to problem-solving skills, if you don’t use ‘em, ya lose ‘em. That’s why it’s important that we’re constantly learning.

46. Synthesizing

A critical thinking skill, synthesizing is the ability to combine parts of a whole in a new and unique way. This learned skill boosts your adaptability and the way you “roll with the punches.” It’s part of the analysis and evaluation of any given situation. Think of it like a chef—you can take different components of a meal, break them down, and then put them together in a new and delicious way. In life, it’s a critical thinking skill that’s considered “higher-level thinking” … something we often slack on after high-school or college.

47. Self-Discipline: Exercise & Nutrition

The ability to discipline yourself enough to make healthy choices about your food and exercise is a learned skill.  It’s part of “bigger picture” thinking: achieving the understanding that if you eat something now, you might pay for it later. It’s about making a healthy meal for your family or taking a walk rather than hauling the kids through the McDonald’s drive-thru. No one can be perfect all the time, but when you view exercise and nutrition as self-care, rather than punishment, it helps to reframe. Start with small steps, like taking a walk or adding a vegetable to every meal, and build on the positive.

48. Self Care: Sleep & Hygiene

We get so wrapped up in caring for others we forget about the importance of taking care of ourselves. This means yes, sleep and rest, which is simply critical to our health. It also means taking time for yourself—showering, dressing in clean clothing, putting on makeup, styling your hair, or doing what you need to do to feel clean, confident and at your best. It’s funny because, as moms, even though we get after our kids to wash their hands, take a bath and brush their teeth, we sometimes get so busy we forget to care for ourselves. (Well, hopefully, we at least brush our teeth.) Give yourself a spa day or treat yourself to a luxury day at home. Learn to pamper yourself a little. Catch up on all those things that can fall by the wayside when we’re busy, like dying our hair, tweezing our eyebrows, whipping up a facial mask, or getting a pedicure. You deserve to feel good. Learn about proper sleep patterns and ways to streamline your beauty routine so you can get the most out of your “me time.”

+1 Life Skill: How to Find Happiness

The Good Life is about finding your happiness. It’s about simplifying and focusing on the genuine and true things in life that really make us happy, including the most important: family, friends, and our relationship with both God and ourselves. So often we forget our way to happiness. We get bogged down with negative feelings and the idea that life isn’t fair. (Newsflash—it’s not.) Happiness can literally make you live longer and can certainly improve your health and quality of life. It’s my wish for each and every one of us to find our happiness today and live our lives free from the baggage that weighs us down.

Did we forget anything? What would you add to this list?

Other Helpful Resources:

• 10 Simple Habits That Will Change Your Life
• Stay Healthy and Thrive! Helpful Resources for Staying Sane, Productive and Well-fed at Home
• How to Make Your Dream Job a Reality

NEXT STEPS & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Ready to take action? Here at Living Well Spending Less® we’ve got some incredible resources for developing and maintaining simple but powerful home systems in every area of your life.

1. First, check out our Home Systems Toolbox, an entire digital library of tools and resources for organizing every aspect of your home life. 
2. Join the waiting list for Living Well Academy™, our signature program designed to take you from stressed and overwhelmed to calm, happy, and in control of your home systems in just four weeks. 

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