Ever wish you'd been taught the essential life skills that really matter – the ones school left out?
You know, like managing time, energy, relationships and finances?
Me too!
Here's your plan to learn what you may have missed and/or forgotten along the way.
(Only 2 books/month!)
✨ I N S P I R E
"Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think." – Albert Einstein
✨T H R I V E
12 MVP Life Skills (you never learned in school)
Read 2 books/month + apply what you learn
Your Future Self will thank you
✨𝟭: 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
*Write out specific + measurable goals daily
*Visualize your success for 2 min each day
*Break down big goals - take the Next Best Step
The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz
"Success is achieved and maintained by those who try and keep trying."
𝟮: 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
*Figure out what’s important - prioritize it
*1-3-5 Rule: Complete 1 large, 3 medium, and 5 small tasks daily
*Use timers to manage task length
Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy
"If you have to eat a live frog at all, it doesn’t pay to sit and look at it for very long!"
𝟯: 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
*Journal to understand thoughts and emotions
*Full body listening when others are speaking - phone down
*Express gratitude and appreciation freely (include yourself!)
Emotional Agility by Susan David
"Discomfort is the price of admission to a meaningful life."
𝟰: 𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
*Know what your goals are in advance
*Mirror: repeat the last 3 words spoken
*‘If-then’ language fosters a give and take dynamic
"Negotiation is not an act of battle; it's a process of discovery."
𝟱: 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
*30 Sec Rule: State your main point w/in 30 seconds for clarity and engagement
*Align your body language with your words
*Echo Technique: Use "So, you're saying..." to confirm understanding
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini
"People will do things for you if you provide them with a sense of identity."
𝟲: 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗮
*Power + Warmth + Presence = Charisma
*Be interested in others - ask questions
*Smize - smile with your eyes (IYKYK)
The Charisma Myth by Olivia Fox Cabane
"Charisma is the result of specific nonverbal behaviors, not an inherent or magical personal quality."
𝟳: 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆
*Use an app or spreadsheet to monitor spending
*Educate yourself to improve your money mindset
*Repeat, "I attract abundance effortlessly"
You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero
"It’s not your fault that you are financially challenged, but it is your responsibility to fix it."
𝟴: 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀
*Start and end your day with 3 deep breaths
*Put your fork down at least once while eating
*Single- task to enhance presence
"The most difficult times for many of us are the ones we give ourselves."
𝟵: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗹
*Fail Successfully: Write down the positives from ‘failures’
*Treat failures as experiments / learning opportunities
*Remember... failure is an expected and inevitable part of the process
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
"Becoming is better than being."
𝟭𝟬: 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴
*Speak daily in front of a mirror
*Speak up more often - at least once in every meeting/gathering
*Record and review practice sessions for improvements
Talk Like TED by Carmine Gallo
"The ability to communicate your ideas persuasively is the single greatest skill you can learn."
𝟭𝟭: 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
*Daily activity and outdoor time to lessen stress
*Try a calming scent like lavender or chamomile (candle, spray, oil…)
*Relaxation techniques - yoga, breath work, journaling
The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal
"Mindset matters; how you think about stress will determine its effect on you."
𝟭𝟮: 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
*Set personal rewards for task completion
*Set up effective systems to reduce reliance on motivation
*Surround yourself with positivity
Atomic Habits by James Clear
"Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement."
Which one will you start with? Any favorites to add?
Love,
Carolyn
xo
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