One of the beautiful things about growing up is the realisation that one can do things which only ‘older’ people could do, and do it well. As women grow older, they keep adding different life skills to their personality. While each of them, on their own, may not seem significant, but cumulatively, they are awesome confidence boosters. No matter what the situation.
Here are 10 skills you should have on your to-learn list.
1. Maintain your accounts.
Learn to track your expenses and file your tax returns. Plan for your retirement, invest your money sensibly and know how to work the stock market in your favour. Be responsible for your own financial well-being.
2. Read through a legal contract and understand it before signing it.
We often tend to sign on documents, without reading the fine print. Yes, trust is one thing but so is discrimination with intelligence. Make sure you go through anything you sign, with a fine-toothed comb and hammer out clauses that seem problematic to you.
3. Learn to change a car tyre if you drive a car.
Understand the rudiments of car first-aid, if you are ever stuck with a misbehaving car in the middle of nowhere. Have a friend teach you and practice until you are perfect. It is a skill that will always come in handy. It also helps if you know how to change your own oil, jump the car battery and tinker around under the hood of your car.
4. Know basic self-defense.
Learn the soft spots to attack the attacker – the groin, the throat, the eyes, the solar plexus. Know how to use regular everyday things in your handbag as weapons (car keys, nail file, etc) or carry something for self defense. Take a self-defense weekend course, sign up to train in a martial art if you can. Not only will this increase your fitness and self confidence, but it will also give you the know-how to tackle any unpleasant situation.
5. Create your own signature dish.
When you have people over for a party, rustle up one main course dish and one dessert to perfection. Trust me, you will never dread inviting folks over for dinner anytime.
6. Learn how to make effortless small talk.
It may seem puerile or unnecessary but small talk, done efficiently and politely is what keeps the grease of society moving. Being polite, pleasant and comfortable to be around as well as being able to put people at ease in any situation is a life skill that will always stand you in good stead.
7. Have a look ready for a bad hair day.
Know how to make your hair go from everyday look to va va voom, in 10 minutes, with a curling set or a straightening iron. Learn to make a smart no-nonsense nape-of-the-neck bun or sleek ponytail for those days when you just couldn’t be bothered.
8. Learn how to pack efficiently.
Do not overpack, no matter what the destination and the weather. This requires planning your outfits, planning to optimise the space in your bags and learning to travel light.
9. Perform CPR and the Heimlich manoeuvre.
You never know, you could save someone’s life.
10. Learn to do a breast self examination.
And to do it on a regular basis. Because if you don’t, who will.
Image courtesy: Shutterstock
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