Think about the most successful and interesting person you know in your life – someone you admire and look up to. They can be a friend you know in your social circle or someone you work with. Now take a moment to dissect what, exactly, makes them that way? Is it be the fact that they know such a broad number of things? Do they sound intelligent when they speak? Why do they manage to keep people’s attention when they’re communicating? And how do they manage to seem to have everything together even while juggling a million things? But more importantly, is it possible for you also to be someone like them?
The answer is one resounding yes! Successful people aren’t made from some different mold as you. They’ve just managed to learn some important life skills that have helped them level up. And the good news is you can learn these skills too and apply them in your own life. Suppose you’ve been looking for ways to upgrade yourself or you’re itching to reinvent yourself and step out of your comfort zone to better places. The tips in this post can help you slowly but surely start bettering yourself.
Be a Better Communicator—on Paper
One crucial skill that helps successful people be what they are is in their ability to communicate—not just in person but on paper. Knowing how to read and write so you learn things faster and convey it well in what you’re writing is a skill that will help you beyond the four walls of a classroom. Do you struggle with understanding information while reading? Or do you find that you can’t quite put down in writing what you mean to say? From an email to an office report, strong writing and reading skills will come in handy wherever you go. So if you feel like this area is one of your weaknesses, make sure to practice your reading and writing muscles. You can do this by reading novels and journaling.
Hi, Hello: Be a People Person
Speaking of communicating, it’s always a good idea to practice being someone who knows how to mix and mingle. The introverts might be groaning about the thought of having to engage in small talk or show enthusiastic bursts of energy that seem to come so naturally to extroverts. But fear not, being a people person does not necessarily equate to trying to be an extrovert. Effective interpersonal communication focuses on how to make personal connections with people you encounter.
One cannot deny that having an extended network of people you know can help open up opportunities for you. So when someone opens up a conversation with “How are you?” consider replying with something more personal than the usual “Good, thank you.” In turn, ask that person how they are doing and be genuinely interested in what’s happening with them.
Get That Degree!
If you’ve been considering whether or not to get a college degree or a master’s degree, this is your sign to get one! Learning specific things about a particular field or industry will help give you a step up when you apply for jobs in your chosen field. Having an undergraduate degree or master’s degree is proof that you’ve put in the time and effort to study and learn about what you want to do. If you’re in a financially stable enough place to go to college, then start researching what colleges look for and processing your college application to level up your knowledge and skills.
Bonjour!—Consider Learning a New Language
It is universally acknowledged that being fluent in languages is a handy skill to have in your portfolio. Just think of the ability to understand what two cultures are saying and translate this to people who are utterly clueless about what’s going on. Learning a new language is a practical skill with little to no disadvantages. It also helps develop your memory. Learning all the intricacies of a different language will get your brain muscles working. It doesn’t matter if you want to learn a new language, starting from scratch, or want to brush up on your now-rusty language skills.
Remember, you don’t have to stay stuck where you are. If there’s one truth in the world, it’s that there is a chance for change. Success will not be an overnight venture. You won’t wake up one day being the person you admire and look up to. It takes time and effort to invest in upgrading yourself. But doing the work to level yourself up will give back to you tenfold. So make the decision to start now and make the necessary changes in your life.
