As we begin a new year, it’s important to think of learning Life Skills in the same way we would think of learning other things. Part of learning is knowledge of facts or ideas that prompt us to behave differently. For example, we learn that eating too much sugar can negatively affect our health, so we are more aware of how much sugar we are eating or start reading labels! Another kind of learning involves motor memory and habits, like learning to ride a bike or learning to use a hammer. Learning skills often takes practice and repetition. The more we practice, the better we do. Small baby steps that we do repeatedly can help make learning easier. This can be true of sewing, or skiing, or riding a bike.
We may learn out of natural curiosity, or we might learn because we see the benefits of greater skill or knowledge. We might not be satisfied with how our lives are going, or with our relationships. Learning Life Skills might help us have less stress, or more satisfactory relationships. Learning certain skills might help us get a promotion or might help us organize our time better. We might get more done or feel more in control of our lives. We may be happier or enjoy life more. Maybe we want to be a better parent or a better role model for others.
Life Skills aren’t things we just put on our New Year’s Resolutions list, tell ourselves to do them, start doing them, and we’re done! But we can learn them, with thought and practice, and then reap the benefits. Often new learning overlays old learning. Anything we learn can be relearned, and repetition helps us replace or bury old habits under new habits or practices.
What would it feel like to be happier and more satisfied with your life? To enjoy rewarding relationships? To be calm and confident? To get along well with your co-workers? To be able to accomplish things and reach goals without sabotaging your own success? To be able to smile when you look in the mirror? Or to see someone else smile when they see you?
Come along—let’s find out how!