Brush up on these life skills to excel in future

To cope up with the increasing pace and change of modern life, students need to learn basic life skills such as design thinking, analytical thinking and the ability to deal with stress and frustration

As societies rapidly become diversified, both demographically and politically, the youth face multiple challenges. To cope up with the increasing pace and change of modern life, students need to learn life skills. Life skills are described as a set of basic skills acquired through learning or direct life experiences that enable individuals and groups to effectively handle problems commonly encountered in daily life. They include creativity, design thinking, analytical thinking and the ability to collaborate and communicate. These attributes help students adapt to new jobs, overcome obstacles, develop productive relationships with their co-workers and managers, and thrive in their workplace. 

Let us look at some imperative life skills that can help students learn valuable lessons that will benefit them in the years to come:

Problem-solving: Students should know how to solve a particular problem. They should understand the nature of the problem, its onset, factors which exacerbate the problem,  the advantages of active listening, analysis and research.

Decision making: . Employers look for candidates who can analyse situations, weigh options, and then make informed decisions on important matters. They do not want candidates who are indecisive and will not make difficult choices. One should be confident of making firm decisions without self-doubt. 

Critical thinking: A person with critical thinking skills can suggest innovative solutions and ideas, solve complex problems using reasoning and evaluate arguments. The first step in critical thinking is to analyse the flow of information from various resources. After observing, an analytical thinker relies on logical reasoning, rather than emotion, lists the pros and cons of a situation and is open-minded to the best possible solution. 

Creative thinking: Future workforce needs to be creative to fully realize the benefits of new products, ways of working and technologies. The future workplace demands new ways of thinking, and human creativity and curiosity to learn new things is the key to achieving this. 

Good communication skills: An effective communication at work is one of the most important parts of a successful professional life. It not just improves workplace relationships, but also builds trust among team members. Good communication not just builds an individual’s authority, but also promotes transparency in the workplace.

Interpersonal skills: It is no exaggeration to say that interpersonal skills are the building blocks for success in life. People with strong interpersonal skills display the ability to better manage and control their emotions, work well with other people, both in their personal and professional lives. They have healthy interactions with others, whether relatives, friends, colleagues, or clients. Good interpersonal skills are a prerequisite for customer-facing jobs, such as sales and customer relations managers, healthcare professionals, financial advisors and brokers, among others.