These Seven Skills Deliver the Biggest Pay-out

John Krautzel
Posted by in Career Advice


Although it is important to stay current in your field, there are also some life skills you should maintain that can help improve your future employability. Dedicate time towards strengthening each of these seven areas to ensure continuous personal and professional growth.

1. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence includes the ability to recognize and handle your own emotions while also being in tune with the emotions of others. Research shows that those who have higher levels of emotional intelligence consistently make more money than those with lower levels of this life skill. Start improving your emotional intelligence by spending time recognizing your own emotions and learning to manage your responses to others. Then,
spend time paying attention to the emotions of those around you. Understanding others' emotions helps you form better relationships at work.

2. Discretion

Although honesty matters, discretion is just as important in the workplace. Great discretion means you know when to talk and when to stay quiet. Learn what things are worth fighting about and what things to let go. Get started by developing the habit of thinking before speaking to increase your future employability.

3. Active Listening

This is a great life skill to practice during job interviews. Instead of formulating replies while the interviewer is talking, give him your total attention with the goal of understanding exactly what he is saying. This builds connection and helps you form clearer replies. It also shows the interviewer that you are someone who is willing to take the time to listen and understand.

4. Positivity

Optimistic people are more enjoyable to work with and have better focus than workers who are regularly imagining the next disaster. Develop this life skill by paying attention to the self-talk running through your head. Reframe negative thoughts through a positive lens. For example, when thinking of a mistake you have made, focus on what you learned from the situation. Spend less time with negative people, and revel in small pleasures. Positivity correlates with more enthusiasm, and enthusiasm helps you persevere through difficult projects and work complications.

5. Time Management

Great time management skills improve your productivity. Learn to allocate time for those things that are most important. This reduces your need to rush. Focus on developing a time management system that works well with your personality and responsibilities so that you will be able to stick with it for the long term.

6. Setting Boundaries

It is important to know how and when to say "no." This life skill decreases your stress levels and gives you more time for the things you value. Practice pausing before answering when someone requests something from you. Take a moment to decide on the best response, and then answer assertively without room for debate.

7. Self-Care

Too many people forget to prioritize self-care, such as getting adequate sleep, eating healthy meals, and exercising. Make sure that you take care of yourself every day, especially while job searching. Interviewers respond better to applicants who appear well rested, and you'll be able to answer questions better if you are not hungry or tired.

Developing these life skills can be a long-term process. Focus on your weakest areas first, and make time to practice these skills weekly.

Although it is important to stay current in your field, there are also some life skills you should maintain that can help improve your future employability. Dedicate time towards strengthening each of these seven areas to ensure continuous personal and professional growth.

1. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence includes the ability to recognize and handle your own emotions while also being in tune with the emotions of others. Research shows that those who have higher levels of emotional intelligence consistently make more money than those with lower levels of this life skill. Start improving your emotional intelligence by spending time recognizing your own emotions and learning to manage your responses to others. Then,
spend time paying attention to the emotions of those around you. Understanding others' emotions helps you form better relationships at work.

2. Discretion

Although honesty matters, discretion is just as important in the workplace. Great discretion means you know when to talk and when to stay quiet. Learn what things are worth fighting about and what things to let go. Get started by developing the habit of thinking before speaking to increase your future employability.

3. Active Listening

This is a great life skill to practice during job interviews. Instead of formulating replies while the interviewer is talking, give him your total attention with the goal of understanding exactly what he is saying. This builds connection and helps you form clearer replies. It also shows the interviewer that you are someone who is willing to take the time to listen and understand.

4. Positivity

Optimistic people are more enjoyable to work with and have better focus than workers who are regularly imagining the next disaster. Develop this life skill by paying attention to the self-talk running through your head. Reframe negative thoughts through a positive lens. For example, when thinking of a mistake you have made, focus on what you learned from the situation. Spend less time with negative people, and revel in small pleasures. Positivity correlates with more enthusiasm, and enthusiasm helps you persevere through difficult projects and work complications.

5. Time Management

Great time management skills improve your productivity. Learn to allocate time for those things that are most important. This reduces your need to rush. Focus on developing a time management system that works well with your personality and responsibilities so that you will be able to stick with it for the long term.

6. Setting Boundaries

It is important to know how and when to say "no." This life skill decreases your stress levels and gives you more time for the things you value. Practice pausing before answering when someone requests something from you. Take a moment to decide on the best response, and then answer assertively without room for debate.

7. Self-Care

Too many people forget to prioritize self-care, such as getting adequate sleep, eating healthy meals, and exercising. Make sure that you take care of yourself every day, especially while job searching. Interviewers respond better to applicants who appear well rested, and you'll be able to answer questions better if you are not hungry or tired.

Developing these life skills can be a long-term process. Focus on your weakest areas first, and make time to practice these skills weekly.


Photo courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Photo courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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  • Cheryl Seward
    Cheryl Seward

    Love it, best advice I ever read, loved Skill Deliver #2, 4 & 7 works for me.

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