Leading you
Sharpen Life Skills To Enrich your Life !
By Caroline Mwazi
How effectively are you going through life ? Are you thriving , chugging along or struggling ? The World Health Organization identifies ten core life skills that not only promote health and well-being but also enhance our ability to make informed decisions , build strong relationships , and cope with demands and challenges of life . They are behaviors that enable individuals to adapt and effectively deal with the demands and challenges of life , managing their lives in a healthy , productive manner .
Many people struggle to succeed in life , work and relationships due to poorly developed life skills which are necessary to successfully navigate today ’ s rapidly changing world . Equipping yourself with essential life skills will help you better navigate the complexities of daily life and achieve greater success . Life skills are categorized into self-awareness , interpersonal skills and thinking skills .
Excellent life skills transform us from being passive participants in our lives to being proactive problem-solvers capable , of navigating a variety of situations , which increases our well-being and helps us achieve greater success . Underdeveloped life skills causes one to struggle and not achieve their full potential . In this article we unpack the ten WHO core life skills and how to develop them .
Self-Awareness
Self-awareness has been defined as conscious knowledge of one ’ s own character and feelings . It involves understanding oneself , including one ’ s emotions , strengths , weaknesses , values , and goals . It is developed through mindfulness , which is choosing to be present moment by moment . Consciously observe yourself and other people ’ s reactions to you . Also take time to reflect on your thoughts and feelings . Journaling can be an effective
Develop empathy by active listening which is paying full attention to what is being said and listening without interrupting , trying to fully understand the other person ’ s perspective . When listening to people pay keen attention to their words , tone and body language . Ask yourself what they are thinking and feeling and reflect this back to them through your manner and responses .
way to track your emotional state and personal growth . Also seek feedback ; ask trusted friends , family , or colleagues for feedback on your behavior and attitudes . This external perspective can reveal blind spots and areas for improvement that you may not be aware off .
Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person . It has also been described as stepping into the shoes of another or looking at the world from their perspective . Develop empathy by active listening which is paying full attention to what is being said and listening without interrupting , trying to fully understand the other person ’ s perspective . Engaging with diverse groups and exposing yourself to varied experiences can also help you understand different life experiences and perspectives . Reading widely and watching different plays and films can help expand your capacity for empathy by allowing you to see the world through different character ’ s eyes . When listening to people pay keen attention to their words , tone and body language . Ask yourself what they are thinking and feeling and reflect this back to them through your manner and responses .
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking has been defined as the ability to objectively analyze and evaluate information in order to make a reasoned judgment . Develop critical thinking by asking questions rather than taking things at face value . Ask questions such as , why is that ? Cultivate curiosity by questioning assumptions and seeking evidence before forming conclusions . Also engage in discussions and debates on various topics to practice defending your viewpoint and
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