7 Skills You Can Learn to Improve the Quality of Your Life

If you’re not where you want to be in your life or you want to take your success to the next level, it comes down to your ability to acquire the right skills in life.

Whether you want more money, more happiness, or more success, we’ve curated the 7 skills you can learn to improve the quality of your life. None of the skills we’re about to share are easy to learn, but remember that the hardest things in life are generally the ones worth pursuing.

7 Crucial Skills You Can Learn to Improve the Quality of Your Life

1. Networking

As the old saying goes, “your network is your net worth.”

No one that has achieved anything great has done it alone. They’ve gotten help along the way, whether it was key information, an introduction, or advice to speed up their progress.

Identify the key people that can help you get to that next level in your business or career, and find a way to create more value for them than anyone else out there.

Only once you’ve given enough value, should you ask for something in return. The rule of thumb is: the more influential or powerful the person you’re trying to reach, the more value you should offer upfront.

Check out your local meetup events to find networking events relevant to your industry, and read books like Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi.

2. Meditation

Meditation is a skill that takes care of your mind and body.

In the digital age we live in, staying focused is harder than it has ever been. We’re constantly being bombarded by notifications on our smartphones, tablets, and lab tops.

Studies show that meditation can help you increase your focus, reduce anxiety, and prevent aging of the brain.

Getting started is easy. You can check out apps like Headspace or Calm.com, which offers guided meditation on-demand.

3. Foreign Language

We’re currently living in one of the most exciting times in history. People from all different types of cultures are coming together, and interacting in different languages.

While times are exciting, we’re also living in a world where understanding a second language is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ but it’s a ‘must-have.’ Everything from business to entertainment is expanding globally, and if you want to get ahead in your career, learning a foreign language should be one of your top priorities.

“Study a foreign language if you have the opportunity to do so. You may never be called to a land where that language is spoken, but the study will have given you a better understanding of your own tongue or of another tongue you may be asked to acquire.”

–Gordon B. Hinckley

If you want to improve your speaking skills in a foreign language, you can check out websites like Rype to get 1-on-1 lessons with a professional language teacher. Learn more here.

4. Personal Finance

While money is not everything in life, getting our finances in order should be a priority.

Getting our finances in order is not just about saving, saving, saving. Often most of the problems that we have can be solved by earning more income.

If you have a stable paycheck that comes in every month, try adding a second stream of income through a side hustle, investments, etc.

Talk to your local accountant and take advantage of free tools like Mint.com to keep track of your daily to monthly expenses, budgets, and income.

5. Public Speaking

Public speaking, according to Warren Buffett, is one of the most important skills you can learn to advance your career.

Being able to communicate effectively can positively impact nearly everything you do in your life, from your career, relationships, business — the list goes on. Not everyone is born a great communicator, and it’s a skill that can be learned and developed by anyone who’s committed.

Check out your local Toastmasters, where you can be around a supportive community of people that can give you constructive feedback on your speaking skills.

6. Negotiating

Negotiating is a valuable skill that you can use for the rest of your life. You can apply this skill in your business, career, personal life, and nearly anything you do.

The key is to just practice. There’s only so much a book can do for you. Just like learning a new language, you want to learn by doing.

Make sure you start small, and build up from there. You’ll feel more comfortable with each negotiation, and you’ll be a professional negotiator in no time.

“The best move you can make in negotiation is to think of an incentive the other person hasn’t even thought of – and then meet it.” – Eli Broad

7. Speed Reading

Bill Gates has shared that if he had one superpower, it would be the ability to learn how to read faster.

Our ability to absorb and retain information will determine the quality of life we will lead, and one of the best ways to achieve this is through speed reading.

According to Staples, the average adult reads at 300 words per minute. If you want to learn how fast you are reading, click here to take a free test.