12 MVP Life Skills You Never Learned in School

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 

Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss

"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 Pocket Pema Chodron

"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."

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Which one will you start with? Any favorites to add?

Have a great week!

Carolyn

PS ~ Follow along on LinkedIn for daily tips like this to live a happy, healthy, intentional life

PPS ~ If you found this helpful, forward to a friend!