Meaningful Living

Treasure Trove of Skills

April 24, 2017 /

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Phaytea’s Pulse is participating in the #AtoZChallenge for 2017. The Theme is ‘Awakening of Self’ and ‘Treasure Trove of Skills’ is our entry for letter T. The theme focuses on character traits that will gear us towards Meaningful Living and will run for 26 days in April except sundays. Please stop by the blog everyday for subsequent posts as we read the 26 letters of the alphabet together. Enjoy!!☺☺

Whoop whoop…..I am excited because this is the last week for the #AtoZChallenge2017. I have enjoyed doing this so far and it has taught me ‘discipline’ on another level. 

I will definitely write a post about my observations during the #AtoZChallenge but let’s move on to today’s entry for letter T.

Some years ago, I decided to get a weekend job (asides my regular week day job) with an online radio station. It was something I knew I could do and would enjoy doing. For my interview, i was expecting a demo performance so I did a lot of rehearsal in front of the mirror, voice recording, updated myself with new music and current affairs etc.

I got to the radio station and after answering basic questions, I was asked to create content (programme schedule) to cover seven days in the week including show title, timing, advert breaks, music breaks and all. 

Wait! What? 

I only wanted to co-host a show, not become a programme director. I am not sure how I did it, but instead of being discouraged, i put on my creative cap, imaginary skill and well i had to have learnt something from listening to the radio a lot.

I probably impressed them because I was allowed to co-host a call-in weekend show as I had hoped for.

I definitely learnt and discovered new things on the job like operating the equipment in the studio, learning how to use the software, taking calls in between shows, interviewing guests, updating the social media account while songs are playing……and even though I am not currently working with a radio station, I have all that experience stored in my Treasure trunk for when I am ready again.

My point is, it is definitely ok to have more than one skill.

The world is evolving, there are new inventions and softwares that are fast taking over human responsibilities. It’s crazy but it’s happening, people are becoming redundant and not having anything to fall back to. There is also retirement and handling everyday needs.

In the wake of our reality, one remedial solution is to fall back on a skill you have acquired while in active service. Even if you still work, it is important to learn skills in areas that affect your family, career, budgeting, social life e.t.c.

The idea is not to carry the ‘Jack of all trade, master of none’ tag, but to have abilities that can be valuable to you and your goals at the right time.

We may not be able to foresee things, but we should be ready to take up new opportunities and face challenges once it presents itself. 

  • Be ready to apply for the new position at work just incase it gets vacant.
  • Be ready to survive difficult situations.
  • Be ready to give an impromptu speech.
  • Be ready to bargain

However, we can only be ready if we are equipped with the required skill. 

It is not enough to have tools you can work with, you must also know how to make use of the tools you have. 

Do not just learn, be very good at it.

Skill

Acquiring valuable skills will enable us have immediate response to issues and help avoid situations where we say things like:

  • If only I could …..
  • If only I took…….
  • I wish I knew how to….
  • I wish I have……
  • I wish I did….

Please complete the sentence with things you wish you could do or skills you wish you had. 

Do you have a long list?

Then it is time to learn something new….

  • Imagine not being able to drive when there is an emergency and you are alone.
  • Imagine not being able to administer basic first aid if you are alone with someone in need.

What if you have not acquired any skill?

It is never too late to start learning. Think about skills that will be beneficial to you, your kids, spending habit, your career and start learning gradually.

Here are some skills that we can indulge in and well monetize if we work hard enough:

  1. Learn to write a script.
  2. Learn to write an official letter. I have heard people in science say they can’t be bothered about learning to write letters because it is not required in medicine or engineering. Really?
  3. Learn a new language. 
  4. Learn graphics designing. Your blog will thank you.
  5. Learn to play a new instrument.
  6. Learn new recipes.
  7. Learn public speaking skills.
  8. Learn to create content for basically any field that interests you.
  9. Learn to sew.
  10. Learn to style professionally.
  11. Learn photography or any artistic skill.
  12. Learn how to sing.
  13. Learn how to drive.
  14. Learn how to write a business proposal. You little business should have a business proposal you know.
  15. Learn how to play scrabble.
  16. Perfect your negotiating and persuasive skill.
  17. Learn how to give an impromptu speech.
  18. Learn a new sport.
  19. Learn interior decoration and party planning. Doing it yourself will save cost.
  20. Get relevant training for your current job. You need that promotion…don’t you?
  21. Money and time management skills are definitely a plus.

A successful person might not exactly be all-encompassing but having the ability to fit into more than one niche gives you an edge over ‘competition’ if you have any.

Develop yourself, be a treasure trove of skills and get discovered.

I have that in mind and you should too.

Please share your thoughts.
What new skill have you learnt recently?

Can you monetize your skill?

I’ll love to read from you.

Love, Peace and Cupcakes

Phaytea???

Evolving

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