Life skills are the learned abilities (acquired through teaching or direct experience) that equip us with adaptive and positive behaviors to deal more efficiently and effectively with issues of daily life.
These skills are developed to provide a better perspective on life; helping us to understand ourselves and the world better. Many life skills cannot be learned or taught in a conventional academic system, but learning them is essential; this will facilitate success and lead to happiness.
Life skills are numerous; your selection of skills to develop will depend on your age group, work and specific personal situations. Generally interpersonal and psychosocial skills are among the most often sought. Examples of these types of life skills include:
1) Interpersonal and communication skills
2) Problem solving and decision making skills
3) Negotiation and refusal skills
4) Empathy, cooperation and teamwork skills
5) Advocacy skills
6) Critical thinking skills
7) Goal setting skills
8) Coping, self improvement and management skills
9) Stress and emotions management skills
10) Work and people handling skills
Life skills training or coaching programs train people from all walks of life by using specially developed techniques, tools, materials, methodology and philosophies. The training is based on "learn by doing", through well-planned and designed lessons, seminars and workshops. The certifications earned at many of these life skills workshops may in some cases be applied toward professional continuing education credit requirements. Professional associations will often list approved life skills workshops on their websites. Often, they will also list workshops and resources for interested non-professionals as well.
Life skills are needed for every type of work and recreational arena; fortunately, many of the skills that are needed are common to all. This is why life skills coaches are so helpful. These personal, business or career coaches can offer customized programs to build universal life skills. They do this by carefully observing and listening to their clients. They help the individuals create their own solutions. Thus the job of the coach is to act as a guide and motivator; to enhance and develop a person's inherent skills, creativity and resources; and to improve their life and performance.
There are plenty of resources for life skills coaching. Here are the best ways to locate life skill coaching resources to meet your specific need:
• Search Amazon.com under the topic of your interest to display the most popular books on your topic. Amazon allows visitors to search the content of the books displayed on the results page; search the indexes for recommended websites and other resources.
• Visit professional organization websites. They may offer or recommend Life skill coaches, teaching material or workshops. These may be listed directly on the sites or you may find links to other websites provided.
• Vary the search terms and the search engines you use to increase your results. Look for professional affiliations or certifications on any site you visit to assure that the coaching services being offered are legitimate.