9 Essential Life Skills You Need to Know to Thrive

According to a study undertaken by Monash University and the Australian Scholarship Group, almost 70% of parents believe schools need to do more to teach children about social and life skills. These results are echoed across studies in different countries and across the years. If they aren’t being taught in schools or picked up at home, it falls to each individual to seek development opportunities for the most vital skills for daily life.

Life skills are known as such because they help you deal with everyday situations more effectively. They are learned habits that make you a better person in general, not just in specific scenarios, and will serve you well regardless of your stage or walk of life. These skills aren’t limited to personal development or social situations – they also apply to almost any job, career, or academic field!

Life skills will always come in handy and can be used in any scenario or context. Here is an overview of the top 9 life skills that everyone should know – read on to discover more!

1. Communication Skills

Communication skills are the foundation of our connections with others. They affect our relationships at home and work and our mental and emotional health. Communication can be thought of as a two-way street – you need to be able to listen as well as speak. It is a life skill that many people have trouble with or would like to develop further.

Bad communication skills can manifest as poor listening, excessive criticism, and a lack of awareness of the emotions of others. This, in turn, can affect the way others view and treat you. On the other hand, good communication skills will allow you to express your ideas and emotions clearly, listen attentively and understand other people’s perspectives. Good communication skills will make it more likely that others will hear and understand you.

To improve your communication skills, pay attention to your communication patterns. Then work on correcting them. Here are some essential tips: 

• Make eye contact with the person you’re speaking to
• Don’t look down or look around the room
• Make sure your body language is appropriate to the situation
• Speak clearly and slowly
• Don’t rush your words.

If you struggle with communication, you might also need to work on your listening skills – this is just as important as speaking. Being a good listener can help you avoid unnecessary arguments, it can help you gain a better understanding of other people, and can be very useful in your career. To help you improve, try to think past the words spoken and grasp the underlying message conveyed.

2. Problem-solving Skills

Another critical life skill is the ability to solve problems. You’ll encounter new issues every day, and if you aren’t confident in your problem-solving ability, this can be a stressful and challenging experience. 

Problem-solving is the ability to identify a problem, think through possible outcomes and come up with a solution. Even if the problem is something that has been caused by someone else, it’s still important to be able to solve it! When you can effectively and reliably deal with problems, you’ll feel less stressed and overwhelmed. 

Problem-solving is a skill that is best learned through practice – the more you do it, the better you’ll become. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by a problem, try the following:

• Identify the problem clearly
• Think about the underlying cause of the problem and possible outcomes
• Develop a solution (this doesn’t have to be perfect!)
• Implement the solution
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the solution

There are many different ways to go about problem-solving, so there’s no set method that you need to follow. Just make sure to think about your response and learn how to improve for next time!

3. Time Management Skills

Good time management skills will improve your life in almost every area. Time management skills will make your life easier, whether you’re trying to meet deadlines at work, fit in a healthy amount of sleep each night or have time for family and friends. When you can effectively manage your time, you’ll find that you have more time for the things that are important to you.

There are a lot of different time management techniques out there, and it’s essential to find one that works for you. If you’re having trouble managing your time, you can start by trying to identify your problem areas. For example, are you spending too much time on social media or procrastinating about what you know you should do?

Once you’ve identified your problem, you can start to look for solutions.

A basic daily plan can be a significant first step to developing your time management skills. Try:

• Making a to-do list that includes all of your priorities
• Break tasks down into smaller, more manageable ones
• Be realistic with your time – you can’t do everything in a day
• Start basic, and don’t overextend yourself

Remember that building key skills, including time management, is a process, and you won’t be perfect overnight. The key is to keep trying strategies until you find one that works well for you, and then stick with it.

4. Teamwork and Collaboration Skills

The world is becoming increasingly collaborative, and it’s essential to be able to work with others. Teamwork involves listening to others, being open to feedback, and giving constructive criticism. Collaboration can be used in all fields, from business to education and healthcare. People with good teamwork skills have a lot of potential in their careers.

It’s important to note that teamwork is not the same as following orders. When you’re working as part of a team, you have to be able to think for yourself and make meaningful contributions. 

To be a good team member, you must know how to communicate effectively with your team members. It helps if you understand the strengths and weaknesses of each person as it relates to the task at hand. To improve your collaboration skills, practise prioritising your tasks, dividing tasks so everyone feels involved and setting realistic deadlines so people feel accountable. Remember to practice your listening skills here too!

5. Resilience

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from difficult situations. It’s not something you’re born with – it’s a skill you can develop. People who have gone through challenging experiences have shown resilience by learning and growing from their situations. 

Some ways to improve your resilience include:

• Keeping a network of supportive people around you
• Trying to maintain positive thoughts
• Keeping perspective
• Maintaining your physical and mental health by practising self-care

It’s important to remember to reach out if you need help! If you need support, please contact someone from your support network or a professional health provider for guidance.

6. Self-care

Self-care is an important skill no matter what you do in life. Learning to take care of yourself is essential, so you don’t burn out. This means finding time for things that are important to you and making sure that you don’t overdo it. 

It’s essential to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. This can mean getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet, but it can also mean doing things that help you relax and unwind. If you’re taking care of yourself, you’re less likely to get sick and will likely have more energy. If you have more energy, you’ll be able to take on more tasks, complete them to a higher standard and maintain more positive mental health simultaneously.

7. Self-esteem

Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself and your confidence in your ability to succeed in a given situation. If you have low self-esteem, you may think that you don’t deserve good things in your life, making it more challenging to succeed in your career or school and build healthy and strong relationships with others.

If you have low self-esteem, you should try to find ways to boost your confidence. There are many different ways to do this, and it may take some time to find what works for you. Working on your self-esteem can be a lifelong journey, but it’s well worth it.

Things to try include:

• Identify and celebrate the things you are good at (EVERYONE has these; you just need to recognise them!)
• Try not to compare yourself to others
• Recognise that the way things are portrayed on social media is often not fully representative of what is real
• Give back to the community and be kind to those around you
• If you can, identify any aspects of your life that are making you feel less confident in yourself and work towards changing them

8. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is often referred to as EQ, standing for “emotional quotient” (similar to how IQ stands for “intelligence quotient”. EQ is your ability to recognise, understand and manage your emotions. Identifying and controlling your emotions is vital to ensuring you can function well in everyday situations, particularly in social settings or when under stress.

If you have low emotional intelligence, you might constantly make impulsive decisions (often based on anger or fear) or feel very self-conscious most of the time. EQ is not something that you’re either born with or not. You can improve your emotional intelligence through mindfulness, meditation and by surrounding yourself with positivity. Practising these things teaches you to manage your emotions and improve your life.

9. Decision-making Skills

Decision-making is a vital skill you’ll use countless times daily for many small and sometimes huge decisions. When you make decisions, you’re often faced with a choice between two options. It’s critical to be aware of the pros and cons of each option so that you can make the best choice. Sometimes, you can weigh up this balance in your mind only in a second or two, and sometimes, this requires more profound thought over time. If you are struggling with decision-making, you can try making a pros and cons written list or talking it through with a trusted friend. 

It can be crucial to make good decisions that align with your values to live a balanced and fulfilling life, so be sure to consider your goals and personal values while making decisions!

Conclusion

These skills are essential because they can apply to anyone in any situation. They are relevant to any profession, relationship and stage of life. These skills will help you navigate your daily life, build meaningful relationships and feel more confident in yourself and your abilities no matter who you are or what you do. So, if you want to become more confident, self-aware and empowered, now is the time to develop these essential life skills!