A while ago, I wrote a post titled ""9 Life Lessons Our Kids Need To Learn". The post generated a buzz in my personal networks, with many friends telling me it compelled them to think through their role as parents. Many of them also shared a number of other life lessons that they hold to be equally important. They are right! So, here goes. In this post I am sharing 10 more lessons that all children should learn in life
1) How to feel inspired every day
A daily dose of inspiration at the start of the day does wonders for your thoughts, your feelings, your actions, your perspective, your energy, your attitude and your deeds! But rarely do you feel inspired every day of your life! You can draw inspiration from anyone or anything -- the key is to know what inspires you and to give yourself a daily dose of inspiration.
2) How to protect yourself
We live in times where self-protection is important. It is critical to protect yourself physically, emotionally, intellectually, socially (social media included) and financially. That is key to your long-term growth and prosperity. You need to find the resources to protect yourself across all aspects of life.
3) How to give and receive feedback
Giving and receiving feedback is both a skill and an art. One which many of us fall short of - In terms of the timing, setting, the words and the expressions! And the point about feedback is that the way a feedback is articulated can make or break a relationship of a lifetime! - be it with yourself, dear ones or the world at large. So it is important to learn how to give and receive feedback
4) How to set and manage expectations
The primary cause for most problems in life is expectations -- rather, your inability to be clear on expectations of yourself and others and to set /re-set expectations. If you can figure out a way to set realistic expectations for yourself and others -- and a way to effectively communicate these expectations -- your life will be a lot more simple, stress-free and positive!
5) How to ask for help
As you sail through life you begin to realise that while being independent is great, there are times in life when things are beyond your control because of the inherent nature of interdependency or dependency on others. In such times, asking for help is your only saving grace. In reality, many of us find it hard to say "Please can you do this for me?" Hence knowing when to ask for help and who you should ask is both a skill and an art!
6) How to cultivate and enhance self-discipline
Anyone who achieved anything worthwhile in life will vouch that one of the key reasons was due to self-discipline. And yet, self-discipline is a dying virtue today. Along the way, you need to figure out a way to be self-disciplined about the things that are important to you!
7) When, how and how much to judge
If there's one activity which many of us indulge in on a regular basis, it is that of passing judgment! We judge everything -- people, animals, nature, trees, flowers, food, weather, technology, automobiles, organisations, institutions, governments, policies, movies, books, products, services, blogs... and, of course, ourselves! Passing judgment is probably one of the most time-consuming and energy-draining activities you can indulge in mentally and emotionally. And if you step back and ask yourself "What do you really get after passing judgment?" Most times the answer will be nothing really. So then, why pass judgment all the time?
8. How to "really" solve a problem
Problem solving abilities are probably the most important skills that anyone should build, develop and enhance in the journey of life, simply because you never know when and what kind of problem can engulf you at which stage of life. Solving the cause of a problem, and not the effect of the problem is the key.
9) How to show that you care
Many of us care deeply about a long list of things. But find it extremely hard to express this and translate it into action. The beauty about caring is that it is personal, emotional, very specific to a cause and subjective to an individual. While there are many ways to show that you care, what is most important is that you demonstrate how you really feel in front of those who matter, and in a way that they understand
10) What, when, how and how much to share
Sharing is a basic human need. On a daily basis, we all share several things with others -- from smiles, to words, to deeds, to gestures, to moments, to joys, to tears, to dreams, to hopes, to joys, to griefs, to successes, to failures, to highs and lows, to fears, to experiences, to finances, to knowledge, to wisdom, to a laugh or a meal. But as you grow, you forget what, when, how to share with others and how much to share and many times end up paying a price for this.
Anything else that should be added to this list? Leave a comment to let me know
1) How to feel inspired every day
"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." - unknown, attributed to Albert Einstein
A daily dose of inspiration at the start of the day does wonders for your thoughts, your feelings, your actions, your perspective, your energy, your attitude and your deeds! But rarely do you feel inspired every day of your life! You can draw inspiration from anyone or anything -- the key is to know what inspires you and to give yourself a daily dose of inspiration.
2) How to protect yourself
"In the end, you have to protect yourself at all times."- Floyd Mayweather Jr
We live in times where self-protection is important. It is critical to protect yourself physically, emotionally, intellectually, socially (social media included) and financially. That is key to your long-term growth and prosperity. You need to find the resources to protect yourself across all aspects of life.
3) How to give and receive feedback
"Feedback is the breakfast of champions." -- Ken Blanchard
Giving and receiving feedback is both a skill and an art. One which many of us fall short of - In terms of the timing, setting, the words and the expressions! And the point about feedback is that the way a feedback is articulated can make or break a relationship of a lifetime! - be it with yourself, dear ones or the world at large. So it is important to learn how to give and receive feedback
4) How to set and manage expectations
"I do my thing and you do yours. I am not in this world to live up to your expectations, and you are not in this world to live up to mine. You are you and I am I, and if by chance we find each other, then it is beautiful. If not, it can't be helped." -- Frederick S Perls
The primary cause for most problems in life is expectations -- rather, your inability to be clear on expectations of yourself and others and to set /re-set expectations. If you can figure out a way to set realistic expectations for yourself and others -- and a way to effectively communicate these expectations -- your life will be a lot more simple, stress-free and positive!
5) How to ask for help
"In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us." -- Flora Edwards
As you sail through life you begin to realise that while being independent is great, there are times in life when things are beyond your control because of the inherent nature of interdependency or dependency on others. In such times, asking for help is your only saving grace. In reality, many of us find it hard to say "Please can you do this for me?" Hence knowing when to ask for help and who you should ask is both a skill and an art!
6) How to cultivate and enhance self-discipline
"Self-discipline is a form of freedom. Freedom from laziness and lethargy, freedom from the expectations and demands of others, freedom from weakness and fear -- and doubt. Self-discipline allows a pitcher to feel his individuality, his inner strength, his talent. He is master of, rather than a slave to, his thoughts and emotions." -- HA Dorfman
Anyone who achieved anything worthwhile in life will vouch that one of the key reasons was due to self-discipline. And yet, self-discipline is a dying virtue today. Along the way, you need to figure out a way to be self-disciplined about the things that are important to you!
7) When, how and how much to judge
"Judgments prevent us from seeing the good that lies beyond appearances." -- Wayne Dyer
If there's one activity which many of us indulge in on a regular basis, it is that of passing judgment! We judge everything -- people, animals, nature, trees, flowers, food, weather, technology, automobiles, organisations, institutions, governments, policies, movies, books, products, services, blogs... and, of course, ourselves! Passing judgment is probably one of the most time-consuming and energy-draining activities you can indulge in mentally and emotionally. And if you step back and ask yourself "What do you really get after passing judgment?" Most times the answer will be nothing really. So then, why pass judgment all the time?
8. How to "really" solve a problem
"No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it." - unknown, attributed to Albert Einstein
Problem solving abilities are probably the most important skills that anyone should build, develop and enhance in the journey of life, simply because you never know when and what kind of problem can engulf you at which stage of life. Solving the cause of a problem, and not the effect of the problem is the key.
9) How to show that you care
"I feel the capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest significance." -- Pablo Casals
Many of us care deeply about a long list of things. But find it extremely hard to express this and translate it into action. The beauty about caring is that it is personal, emotional, very specific to a cause and subjective to an individual. While there are many ways to show that you care, what is most important is that you demonstrate how you really feel in front of those who matter, and in a way that they understand
10) What, when, how and how much to share
"Share everything. Don't take things that aren't yours. Put things back where you found them." -- Robert Fulghum
Sharing is a basic human need. On a daily basis, we all share several things with others -- from smiles, to words, to deeds, to gestures, to moments, to joys, to tears, to dreams, to hopes, to joys, to griefs, to successes, to failures, to highs and lows, to fears, to experiences, to finances, to knowledge, to wisdom, to a laugh or a meal. But as you grow, you forget what, when, how to share with others and how much to share and many times end up paying a price for this.
Anything else that should be added to this list? Leave a comment to let me know