Taking steps to improve your life
In addition to developing knowledge and jobs skills, it’s a good idea to be aware of and refine your personality and character traits. Every person, regardless of their background or education, can look for opportunities to offer themselves more support and care in the form of personal development. Not only does this enhance relationships with others, but it can also offer more confidence and well-being in one’s life.
Soft skills are very important to your success in getting a job. Soft skills are people skills that allow you to get along with and communicate with others effectively, manage situations and show leadership. You can learn about and develop these in a variety of ways – by joining groups and organizations, by participating in workshops or taking classes, and by reading books. For a list of the top 10 soft skills that employers consider when evaluating a job candidate, and other helpful related information, see this page at our website.
Good communication skills are becoming more and more important. And you can improve yours by joining Toastmasters. Toastmasters is a nonprofit organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs that operate in 145 countries. By participating in a Toastmaster club you will develop speaking and leadership skills.
Another way to develop soft skills is to join a Meetup group in your area. Go to meetup.com, and search the site using “communication skills” or “soft skills” and your location. Many of the meetup presentations are online so you can participate from anywhere, as long as you have a computer.
Support groups can be excellent resources for developing confidence in one’s ability to overcome adversity, which can also help with personal development. Verywell Mind created a useful directory of links to a wide variety of support groups. For additional information on building resilience in support of your personal development see this page at our website.
In addition to getting involved in a group, you may want to read a few books. The two we recommend are classics and have been read by millions of people. The links we are providing are to Amazon, but most libraries should have them as well.
“How to Stop Worrying and Start Living” by Dale Carnegie
Time Tested Methods for Conquering Worry
Learn how to break the worry habit — Now and forever!
More than six million people have learned how to eliminate debilitating fear and worry from their lives and to embrace a worry-free future. In this classic work, Carnegie offers a set of practical formulas that you can put to work today. It is a book packed with lessons that will last a lifetime and make that lifetime happier!
Discover how to:
- Eliminate fifty percent of business worries immediately
- Reduce financial worries
- Avoid fatigue – and keep looking young
- Add one hour a day to your waking life
- Find yourself and be yourself – remember there is no one else on earth like you!
Fascinating to read and easy to apply, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living deals with fundamental emotions and life-changing ideas. There’s no need to live with worry and anxiety that keep you from enjoying a full, active life!
“How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie
Over 15 million copies sold. The core of the book accomplishes four overarching objectives:
- Three Fundamental Techniques in Handling People
- The Six Ways to Make People Like You
- The Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking
- The Nine Ways to Change People Without Arousing Resentment
Thoroughly entertaining by using fun and interesting examples.
These Books may be available at libraries, as well as through Amazon.
Not sure where to find your local library? Check out this directory.