Highly effective people don’t have a superhuman gene—they develop specific skills that set them apart from the rest. These skills aren’t just for CEOs or elite athletes; they’re life hacks that anyone can learn and slot into their daily routine. From communication to resilience, these skills can help you achieve personal and professional success. And let’s be real, who doesn’t want a bit of magic in their life? So grab your favourite brew (or a sneaky biscuit), and let’s get into the skills and strategies to help you unlock your full potential (without becoming a robot, I promise!). By the end of this, you’ll be ready to take on the world—or at least your inbox.
- Communication
Being able to express yourself clearly and listen actively is key to success. Good communication builds relationships and trust, and means you’re not the one who “accidentally” books the meeting room. Whether you’re giving a speech or simply clarifying expectations in an email, this skill can be a game changer.
How to Get Good At It: Practise active listening—that means actually listening instead of rehearsing your next clever comeback. Toastmasters or public speaking courses can help hone your communication skills. Also, make it a habit to summarise conversations to ensure clarity and understanding.
- Time Management
Ever wondered how some people get more done by 10 am than others do all week? Spoiler alert: it’s not magic; it’s time management. Successful people know time is a finite resource and make the most of every minute.
How to Get Good At It: Use calendars, timers or apps like Trello and Notion to plan your day. Time-blocking is another great tool—assign specific hours to tasks and stick to them. And yes, “Netflix and chill” can still fit in—just block it out in advance and treat it as a reward.
- Decision-Making
Effective people make decisions quickly. No endless debates over whether to have tea or coffee. (Pro tip: both.) However, decision-making also applies to bigger things like career moves or investment choices.
How to Get Good At It: Use the 70% rule: if you have 70% of the information, make the decision. Waiting for 100% certainty means procrastination. For bigger decisions, write a pros-and-cons list and consult trusted advisors.
- Dedication
Highly effective people show up, rain or shine, motivated or not. Dedication is what keeps you going when the excitement wears off. It’s about being committed to the journey, even when the road gets rough.
How to Get Good At It: Set clear goals and remind yourself why they matter. Visualise the end result—whether it’s launching a business or finally beating your cousin at Scrabble. Surround yourself with people who support your persistence.
- Discipline
While dedication gets you started, discipline keeps you consistent. Think of it as your personal trainer for life. Discipline helps you make the hard choices, like hitting the snooze button or saying no to distractions.
How to Get Good At It: Start small—focus on forming one new habit at a time. Apps like Habitica can gamify the process (because who doesn’t love a bit of fantasy roleplay?). Also, track your progress and reward yourself for milestones.
- Patience
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a six-pack or a successful career. Patience means you don’t give up too soon. It’s the ability to trust the process even when results aren’t immediate.
How to Get Good At It: Practise mindfulness or meditation. And remember, good things come to those who wait (just maybe not the queue at the post office). Celebrate small wins along the way to stay motivated.
- Consistency
Success is the result of consistent effort, not random bursts of energy. Think of it like brushing your teeth—do it daily, not just when you feel like it. Consistency builds momentum and reinforces good habits over time.
How to Get Good At It: Create routines. Even superheroes like Batman have schedules (and Alfred to keep them on track). Be your own Alfred. Keep a journal to track daily progress and reflect on areas for improvement.
- Vision
Highly effective people don’t just set goals—they see the bigger picture. What’s the legacy you want to leave behind? Vision helps you stay focused.
How to Get Good At It: Create a vision board. Seeing your dreams in visual form can give you the motivation to make them happen. Revisit and update your vision regularly to stay on track with your changing priorities.
- Planning
Once you have the vision, you’ll need a plan. Otherwise, it’s just pie in the sky. Planning turns big goals into small steps that lead to measurable progress.
How to Get Good At It: Break goals into smaller tasks. For example, “run a marathon” becomes “run 5km three times a week”. Use planners or digital tools to map out timelines and deadlines for each step.
- Adaptability
Life throws curveballs, and the most effective people know how to roll with them. Adaptability means you stay flexible and open to new opportunities.
How to Get Good At It: Change is good, and see it as an opportunity, not a threat. Bonus points if you can keep your sense of humour. Practise scenarios where you have to think on your feet, like improvisation exercises.
- Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
EQ beats IQ in the effectiveness game. Being in touch with your emotions—and others—is key. High EQ means better relationships, less conflict and better decision making.
How to Get Good At It: Read books like Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and practise empathy. Also, don’t reply “K” to long texts—nobody likes that. Pay attention to body language and non-verbal cues in conversations.
- Resilience
Setbacks? Failures? Bring them on. Resilience is what turns failures into stepping stones. It’s about bouncing back stronger after each challenge.
How to Get Good At It: Build a support network and practise self-care. A good cry and a tub of ice cream is fine—just don’t make it your default coping mechanism. Do activities that boost your confidence and remind you of past wins.
- Networking
It’s not who you know—it’s who knows you and how you add value to the relationship. Networking opens doors to new opportunities and collaborations.
How to Get Good At It: Attend events, engage on LinkedIn and don’t underestimate the power of a well timed compliment (bonus if it’s genuine). Follow up with new connections to keep the relationship alive.
The Coaching Role
Developing these skills is like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle. Enter coaching: a personal approach to skill development that helps you cut through the noise and focus on what really matters. Michael Serwa, London’s top life coach and highest-paid life coach in the UK, has helped many individuals achieve their goals through one-to-one coaching sessions. Find out how Michael Serwa can help you.
Why Coaching Works
Coaches provide accountability, guidance and fresh perspectives. They’re like the wise Yoda to your Luke Skywalker, minus the confusing grammar. Michael is your go-to life coach if you’re looking for a professional life coach. He has the solutions for personal and professional development. Find out how Michael Serwa can help you. A coaching relationship can speed up your development and keep you on track to your vision.
Conclusion
Developing these 13 skills doesn’t mean you have to become a superhuman overnight. Progress not perfection is the name of the game. With commitment, patience and maybe a little guidance from a professional life coach, you’ll be well on your way to being the best version of you. And who knows? You might just inspire someone else along the way. The journey is not about achieving—it’s about growing and enjoying the process.
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