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View Full Version : What skills do you think you need to be successful?


sinon
October 23rd, 2014, 04:38 AM
Hi, I'm Sinon, nice to meet you.

So basically, I am here to ask for advice. You see, I'm an-- for lack of a better word-- entrepreneur, and I am trying to create a website that would help others, you--teenagers in particular-- learn practical skills in order to thrive in a competitive economical environment, and ultimately find success in their lives, your life; whatever success means for them, you.

I'd simply like to ask you for your opinion on my ideas, and what you think are valuable skills that you, as well as other people, should know.

After mulling it over, there are more issues than I can even talk about regarding the infrastructure of the world's educational system, social system, economic system, etc. Although I'd like to resolve all the inefficiencies of the world, I can't alone, so I've condensed what I think are important, practical skills that will help teenagers thrive in the world that exists today, with the hope that these skills will allow successful people to propagate, allowing others to help change the world of their own volition.

Here is what has helped me succeed, and what I believe is important information/skills/techniques to learn and master:

#1 Mindset
Whether or not this is something interesting to teenagers is an entirely different issue, but mindset is undoubtedly important in life. Due to the most recent economic recession plaguing much of the world, due to my country's-- the U.S.A's-- incompetent business managers, many other teens are operating with a scarcity mentality. The mentality that the future is permanently bleak.

Though it is true that there isn't a pot of gold waiting for you if you simply wish for it, it also remains true that having a dream and vision is still important. In fact, they're both vital.

I believe that by teaching other teens how to control their thoughts, in order to control their life, they will undoubtedly be able to overcome many pressing challenges that they potentially will face in the future.

Without going further into detail, as this is simply just a concept in progress, what is your opinion. Would you be willing to undertake a new way of thinking in order to benefit your future? Is this a good idea, or is this something that you aren't interested in?

#2 Practical Skills
Being a teenager myself, I know that adult problems, even though I am turning seventeen soon, aren't something I feel I should immediately worry about. Unfortunately, I also believe that thinking that way is not productive.

So the practical skills list that I came up with included the following:

Effective Learning Strategies--
Though this can be applied to school for sure, after reading countless books and attending courses on learning how to learn, I've compiled a list of techniques that anyone can use to improve their mastery over any subject. Using chunking-- a concept many teachers are trying to teach their students, but most of the time fail to do the idea any justice-- you're able to cement information in your head through various techniques. Not only will you, as a student, be able to pass math class without a hitch, but as an adult, you can take the information you learned and apply it to everyday life where you encounter new situations. Through a combination of neuroscience and already known practical methods, I have created somewhat of a guide to understanding new subject material; a guide that you can use to either learn new subjects for fun, or master a specific concept. Moreover, this will also teach you how to combat and permanently stop procrastinating, and help you understand your motivations for learning as well.

Does this sound like something you'd be interested in? What do you think? Is this a good idea?

Leadership and Public Speaking--
As an avid public speaker myself, I remember the first time I got up in front of the class in middle school. I was in my AVID class and I wanted to impress my friends. I remember looking at the class, looking at the quote on the board we were discussing, and blanking out. After a minute, and several shaky sentences, I finished, sat down, and felt humiliated. I vowed to become a great public speaker so that I could redeem myself. Now, when I speak, I almost always have two shaky sentences, but I then immediately begin to enjoy myself. Being on stage is almost as natural as breathing.

However, I understand for many of you, that isn't the case. In fact, it extends far beyond public speaking. I understand now that many people have taken the back seat, mostly due to a mentality of scarcity, but also because some of you don't desire to be a leader. And when I say leader, I am not talking about riding a horse and shouting an inspirational speech to your troops like George Washington; no, a leader is someone who is capable of teaching others through his or her own actions as to what is appropriate in a responsible, as well as respectable, manner. A leader is someone who has a great idea and doesn't hesitate to share it, for example. Because everyone has great ideas, we should have many leaders revealing new truths. Unfortunately, as with the case of public speaking, that is not the case. Because leadership requires people to step out into the limelight, many people pass on that opportunity, feeling unworthy. Again, this comes down to a person's mentality, mostly.

So in response to these two fears-- in fact, public speaking is not only a fear for teens, but a top 5 fear for people in general-- I was thinking about creating a leadership development course that will showcase techniques that will improve confidence, and develop those who take it into effective and respectable leaders. In addition, the course will go over public speaking, which is really an invaluable skill as most people will have to do speak to an audience many times in the course of their lives, and teach fundamental principles that will allow you to have more stage presence, aiding in performance which translates into more confidence which leads to better performance in follow up engagements.

What do you think of a course like that? Would you be interested in conquering your public speaking fears and becoming a confident and respectable leader? Is this a good idea? Why or why not?

Negotiation--

Negotiating is not only helpful for financial situations or in business environments, negotiating is used everywhere. Maybe you and your friend want to eat a pizza, right? Pizza from Little Caesars or Pizza Hut, let's just say.

There's only one pizza. Now you can always split it in half, right, but what if there was a better way? The course I was thinking of developing would teach the skills I've learned through my own negotiations, and through courses, classes, and books that I've read and taken on negotiation, that would teach you how to become a compelling negotiator. Teaching useful skills information such as the difference between position based and interest based negotiating. AKA, what you want vs. why you want it, and which is more important to people when you negotiate. Because we use negotiation our entire lives, I believe that it important that we become competent in negotiating.

Maybe it'll even land you a potential bf/gf, you never know..!

Good idea or bad idea? What do you think? Would you be interested in learning how to influence outcomes to be the best for both you and others? Or just you, but we'll also talk about ethical negotiation as well-- good vs. bad practice. Would you be interested in something like this?


#3 Investing

This is something that I know many teenagers haven't been exposed to, and again this is irrational fear surrounding investing due to the scarcity mentality. If you have ever thought about becoming financially free, wealthy, rich, or simply: free from the burden of worry about money, then you must invest. In fact, you're going to invest no matter what! You're investing in education if you're going to college, a car if you need transportation, yourself when it comes to R&R, etc.

Because there are many false beliefs regarding investing in equities, AKA the stock market, there have been many people missing out on millions of dollars. Yes, millions. However, that doesn't mean that there will cease to be opportunity to make money in the future. The greatest thing is, too, you can invest at any age.

I believe that developing an investment strategy is crucial, and I want to design a course that illustrates exactly how to invest, that will be very easy to understand, so that you don't miss out on making money. If you believe that money is the root of all evil, the stock market is rigged, business people are sharks, or anything like that, you're operating with a scarcity mentality that will hurt you financially your entire life; however, I will cover belief patterns and correctional thinking with the mindset course if it is received well.

Would you like to take control and be free from debt and financial stress so that you can pursue your dreams? Let me know if you think that this would be a beneficial course to develop. Is this something that you'd be interested in?



These are just a few ideas that I managed to compile. Many more are on the way, and most won't be revealed until implementation. However, I do want to know what you think you need to be successful. I'd like ideas so that I can help other people who may have similar issues that you do. Anything and everything is appreciated. Thank you!

soft
October 23rd, 2014, 05:17 AM
The biggest thing you need is LUCK.

sinon
October 23rd, 2014, 07:52 PM
The biggest thing you need is LUCK.

Why do you think so?

Vlerchan
October 24th, 2014, 06:24 AM
Running with the entrepreneurial theme of the OPs suggestions:

Being able to think without reference to others emotions.Being flexible / easily adaptive to change.Being able to work as part of a team when required.Being able to network effectively - which is different to "Being good at making friends". Holding a general willingness to take risks.

These are all pretty useful skills too.

I of course hope to never have to work in a business environment.

edit:

I also disagree that a foundation in Finance in particular is necessary to success. What you should be trying to do is teach people individual skills which are useful for success in working environments - and Finance doesn't really fit that bill.

sinon
October 24th, 2014, 09:37 AM
Running with the entrepreneurial theme of the OPs suggestions:

Being able to think without reference to others emotions.Being flexible / easily adaptive to change.Being able to work as part of a team when required.Being able to network effectively - which is different to "Being good at making friends". Holding a general willingness to take risks.

These are all pretty useful skills too.

I of course hope to never have to work in a business environment.

edit:

I also disagree that a foundation in Finance in particular is necessary to success. What you should be trying to do is teach people individual skills which are useful for success in working environments - and Finance doesn't really fit that bill.

Thank you for your input! Most of what you are suggesting will definitely be covered in the mindset section, since much of what you are referencing is psychological and mental.


As for the Finance part, I don't know how it works in Ireland, but here in America, understanding how to invest is invaluable.

Here's why:

Every single person who is financially successful-- yes, every single one!-- has made their money grow for them by investing. In fact, some have made their entire fortunes by investing! The forms vary, ranging from: real estate, equities, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, REITS, commodities, etc. However, what remains true is that most people will have to invest at some point in life!

Also, finance covers a broad list of areas, but I am simply referring to learning about the basics of investing-- advanced lessons will also be available for those who want it. Regardless of whether you're into business or finance, as an employee, investing is going to be a part of your life. In most companies here in America, you're going to most likely be offered a 401k. A 401k is basically a percentage of your salary that gets taken out and is invested for you. Normally this money is invested in a mutual fund, but there are other options as well. The problem is that if you don't know what a mutual fund-- or whatever investment option you choose-- does, or you only have very basic knowledge, then are likely to be prone to making financial mistakes that could very well put your future in jeopardy.

In addition, if a company invests your money for you, you're also, in a sense, bound to that company. If you take out your money, whether it be because you need it or you were released from the company, you'll incur huge taxes and things you simply don't want. The average time you'll spend, as an employee in a company, is 3-5 years in this era (again, in America). How will you ever grow you money substantially like that?

So my question is: Why go through all that when you can invest your money yourself? It is very easy!

Overall, the reality of life is that one must know about investing (at least in a capitalistic society), otherwise you're likely have a hard time financially your entire life.

(I just noticed you are from Ireland, or at least live there, so I'm not sure how much of what I said is relatable. I made some changes in my response.)

As for teaching practical skills that can be useful in working environments, I am on board with you. I am trying to teach practical skills that are useful not only in working environments, but in entrepreneurial and student settings as well. What I am trying to do is create a course that will walk a person from A-Z so that they can go through life with the necessary skills needed to be successful both financially and otherwise.

I do appreciate your feedback! :)