What do you remember learning at school? Algebra? Shakespeare? Chemistry? Baseball? Chances are, your teachers taught you all sorts of useless stuff, without including any actual life skills. But don’t despair – there’s still plenty of time to learn.
So, what exactly are life skills?
Put simply, life skills are the skills that allow us to live a full and happy life. [1] Without good life skills, you might struggle through failure after failure, disappointment after disappointment, wondering why you can’t seem to do anything right.
A study which followed 8000 people for 11 years showed that those with good life skills were healthier, happier and richer. [2]. Those without good life skills were more likely to be depressed, isolated and unhealthy.
Want to maximize your chances of being happy, healthy and wealthy? Check out the huge list of life skills below, along with links to helpful learning resources.
It’s never too late to start improving yourself.
Ways to Excel in Learning
How to master a new language
This is a hugely beneficial skill that can give you the edge in your career, and help you make new friends from around the world.
You Need To Know This Science Of Learning Languages To Perfectly Master A Foreign Language
How to train your brain
Keeping your brain in good shape will help you learn faster and think up novel solutions to tricky problems.
8 Ways to Train Your Brain to Learn Faster and Remember More
How to boost your memory
Wish you could remember more? Spend some time learning clever tricks to boost your memory.
13 Simple Tricks To Improve Your Memory
How to enhance your observation skills
Being able to make good observations helps us solve problems, avoid danger, and draw insight from different situations.
Increase Your Powers of Observation
How to use online resources to learn more
The internet is an amazing tool for education, and many resources are completely free.
25 Killer Sites For Free Online Education
How to have fun
Life isn’t all about work. Learn to have fun wherever you are and you’ll and massively boost your health and happiness.
Ways to Be Better at Communication
How to negotiate skillfully
Negotiation skills can come in handy when trying to get a higher salary, haggling for a better price at the shops, or dealing with difficult clients. Don’t settle for less than you deserve.
How To Negotiate With People Who Have More Sway Than You
How to talk to a stranger
All friends start off as strangers! Being able to talk to new people without feeling uncomfortable is a great way to make connections in any situation.
How To Start A Conversation With Anyone Without Awkward Silence
How to solve a conflict
People won’t always agree with you, and that’s okay. Being able to peacefully solve conflicts is a great skill for work and relationships.
8 Simple Steps to Resolve Any Conflict Like a Zen Master
How to have an interesting conversation
Good conversation skills can turn dull small talk into a genuine, interesting connection.
Have Mindful Conversation in 9 Easy Steps
How to express yourself clearly
People aren’t going to know what you’re thinking unless you tell them. Learning to express yourself clearly and boldly is a key step on the journey to self-confidence.
Ways to Raise Your Mental Toughness
How to stop caring what others think
Life is so much easier when you stop worrying about other peoples’ opinions of you.
6 Steps to Stop Worrying About What Other People Think Of You
How to avoid being manipulated
Not everyone in life has your best interests at heart, and you may find yourself being manipulated by others. Stay strong and stand your ground.
8 Ways To Stop Emotional Manipulation
How to be more resilient
Being resilient means being able to deal with whatever life throws at you, rather than being thrown off course when things don’t go your way.
10 Strategies Resilient People Use To Bounce Back When Life Knocks Them Down
How to deal with change
Change is inevitable, and learning to deal with it means you can embrace the ups and downs of life, enjoying every moment.
4 Ways to Deal with Big Life Changes
How to cope with stress
If you’re not prepared, stress can build up to unmanageable levels, damaging your mental and physical health. Learn to deal with it in a healthy, productive way.
30 Easy Ways To Beat Stress Quickly
Ways to stay healthy
How to exercise more
Exercise reduces your chance of illness, improves mental health, and can be a lot of fun.
15 Tips to Restart the Exercise Habit
How to sleep better
Sleeping well feels good, keeps you healthy, and ensures you can make the most of every day.
11 Sleep Habits of Successful People
How to eat more fruit and vegetables
Get creative when cooking fruits and vegetables to stay healthy.
Top 10 Creative And Healthy Ways Of Cooking Fruits And Vegetables
How to manage your weight
Staying at a healthy weight is a key part of feeling good and avoiding illness.
8 Highly Effective Weight Loss & Muscle Building Tactics
How to improve your mental health
Mental health is just as important as physical health, so make sure you don’t neglect it.
5 Easy Tips To Improve Your Mental Health
Ways to make the best use of time
How to stop wasting time on social media
Social media is a great way to keep in touch with friends, but can easily turn into a time sink. Keep your usage minimal.
Managing Your Social Network Addiction
How to be a morning person
Some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs are morning people, and you can be too!
Take These 10 Simple Steps To Make You A Morning Person
How to focus and get more done
Good focus is key to getting things done and achieving big goals.
7 Tips To Improve Your Attention Span And Focus Instantly
How to work faster
Less time working = more time having fun. Learn to work smarter, not harder.
How To Work Faster And Smarter
How to improve your time management
Time management skills are essential to a well-balanced life. No more staying late at work or arriving at meetings way too early.
10 Ways to Improve Your Time Management Skills
Ways to have happy relationships
How to tell someone you love them
Found that special person but aren’t sure how to tell them?
How To Tell Someone You Love Them Subtly Yet Sweetly (100 Ways Provided)
How to manage arguments
Arguments happen in all relationships – it’s how you deal with them that matters.
7 Things Couples Always Fight About (And How To Deal With It)
How to know it’s time to break up
Breaking up isn’t easy, but sometimes it’s necessary. Plan ahead to avoid getting hurt.
How to plan a great date
Fun dates make any relationship better – whether it’s your first meeting or you’ve been together for years.
30 Cheap And Amazing Date Ideas For Couples
How to talk about the future with your partner
Planning for the future is an important part of any healthy relationship.
15 Things To Talk About In A Healthy Relationship
Ways to work towards a goal effectively
How to set goals
Creating sensible goals sets you up for success and helps you avoid failure.
How To Set The Right Direction For You Life And Do What You Want Most
How to stay motivated
Those goals aren’t going to achieve themselves. Learn to stay focused and motivated for best results.
8 Steps To Continuous Self-Motivation
How to stay optimistic
Feeling down because you haven’t hit your goals yet? Learn to stay optimistic about the future.
Become More Optimistic with These Simple Methods
How to avoid burnout
Working too hard can lead to burnout and exhaustion. Make sure you take time out to relax and unwind.
How to stop giving up
You won’t achieve anything if you give up. Learn to keep going, no matter what.
7 Things To Do When You Feel Like Giving Up
Ways to have a satisfying career
How to negotiate salary and get what you want
Don’t settle for low pay – learn to get the wage you want and deserve.
How To Negotiate Salary Skilfully Without Being Pushy
How to plan a career change
Feeling stuck in the wrong career? Make a change before it’s too late.
How to leave a job
Sometimes it’s time to move on. Learn to leave without burning any professional bridges.
5 Critical Steps to Take Before Quitting Your Job For Good
How to start your own business
Fancy being your own boss. Take a leap of faith and become a successful entrepreneur.
17 Steps To Start Your Own Business Even If You’re Working Full Time
How to enjoy work
Life is a million times easier when you enjoy your job, and it’s not hard to learn how.
15 Ways You Can Enjoy The Job You Hate
Are you ready to start learning the life skills that will turn your life from average to amazing? Start with one small goal right now.
Reference
| [1] | ^ | Skills You Need: What are Life Skills? |
| [2] | ^ | Telegraph: Scientists find 5 life skills which bring health, wealth and success |
