considering others ’ perspectives . Keep learning as well ; stay informed about current events , scientific discoveries , and diverse viewpoints to broaden your understanding and knowledge .
Creative Thinking
Creative thinking is the capacity to think in new ways and come up with innovative solutions . This can be developed by regularly brainstorming where you share ideas as they come to mind where no idea is too outlandish . Sift through the ideas generated to select the best ones for implementation .
Another way to enhance creative thinking is to expand your experiences . Try new hobbies , travel , meet and interact with different people and learn new skills . Collaboration also enriches your creative thinking . Work with others to combine different perspectives and ideas , and foster creative solutions .
Decision-Making
Decision-making is the process of making choices by identifying options , gathering information , and assessing alternative resolutions . Using a stepby-step decision-making process can help you make more deliberate , thoughtful decisions by organizing relevant information and defining alternatives before selecting an option .
Develop decision making skills by a habit of weighing pros and cons of different options before making a decision . Setting clear goals can guide decision-making by providing criteria against which to evaluate choices based on your desired results . Avoid making decisions hastily and learn from your and others ’ past decisions - both good and bad to identify what works and what doesn ’ t .
Problem-Solving
Problem-solving is the ability to find solutions to difficult or complex issues . There is no problem without a solution . Develop problem solving skills by clearly defining the problem to help you understand the problem to be solved . Think through the causes of the problem to find the root cause of the problem . After this brainstorm the solutions to the problem , and select and implement the best solution to the problem . Assess the outcome of the solution you selected and if the problem is still not solved , go back to brainstorming to identify a better solution to the problem .
Interpersonal Relationship Skills
Interpersonal relationship skills are the ability to build and maintain positive and meaningful relationships . People skills are essential for successful personal , social and professional interactions . Be sincere and communicate clearly and respectfully , expressing your own needs and making an effort to understand others . Be courteous and show appreciation by regularly expressing gratitude and appreciation for the people in your life . When conflicts occur , resolve them constructively , by applying conflict resolution techniques , such as negotiation to find win-win solutions .
Effective Communication
Effective communication is the ability to express yourself clearly and understand others . When communication is effective , all parties involved are satisfied and feel accomplished . Communicating clearly and effectively minimizes misunderstanding and the risk of conflict .
Develop effective communication skills by practicing active listening where you fully focus on the speaker , avoiding interrupting and responding thoughtfully . Enhance your non-verbal communication by paying attention to your and the other person ’ s body language , maintaining eye contact and having appropriate facial expressions . When you speak or write , be concise , and adjust your communication style to suit your audience to ensure clarity and understanding . Consistently practice the seven Cs of communication ensuring that your communication is clear , concise , concrete , correct , coherent , complete and courteous .
Coping with Stress
Stress has been defined as a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances .
The demands of work and life place a high amount of stress on individuals and understanding stress and how to manage it is vital .
Cope better with stress by recognizing what triggers your stress , how you typically respond and developing strategies to mitigate these factors . Develop healthy habits such as regular exercise , drinking six to eight glasses of water , eating a balanced diet , taking regular breaks and getting adequate sleep to improve your resilience to stress . Think positively and manage your workload by planning and delegating and knowing when to stop . Getting still and breathing deep have also been known to calm your mind and help you think clearly , thus minimizing stress reactions .
Coping with Emotions
Emotions are part of our makeup as human beings . Coping with them involves recognizing , expressing and managing emotions healthily , which makes you be seen as calm and in control as opposed to volatile and out of control . Recognize and feel your feelings , but don ’ t let them run away with you . Change your thinking to change your emotional response to a situation . Learn to express your emotions healthily , such as talking to a friend , writing , or engaging in creative activities . Walk away and give yourself time to cool off and calm down before re-engaging in a discussion . If friends or family are not enough , seek help from mental health professionals to deal with overwhelming emotions .
Conclusion
The core life skills are interconnected and can be developed with practice . As you consciously practice and refine them you will achieve better balance and fulfilment in life . Your relationships will be enhanced and you will navigate life ’ s challenges more effectively . You will grow personally and increase your well-being , that of your community and the world around you . Wishing you the best !
Caroline Nyamwaya Mwazi is Chief Change Catalyst of Huru Consult Limited , a Nairobi-based management and training consulting company . She is also the Lead Coach for the 12-month Go for Gold ! Group coaching programme . Connect with her on LinkedIn @ Caroline Nyamwaya Mwazi . To get the Go for Gold ! planning tool for reflecting and setting tangible goals , send an email to : Info @ huruconsult . com