Life Skills Assessment - For Your Eyes Only

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Life Skills Assessment - For Your Eyes Only

Written By: Sandi MacCalla, Founder - LifeSkills Academy ~ 10/7/2024

Life skills involve a wide range of abilities key to personal, social, and professional competency. Below, each item has a ranking (10 = BEST) to assess how you feel about your proficiency. Since this is only for you, be unapologetically honest with yourself.
Key life skills:

 Independence
The ability to take charge of your life, make decisions, and solve problems independently.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

 Responsibility
How you exhibit being reliable, accountable, and dependable.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

 Resilience
Assess your mental and emotional strength to bounce back from challenges and setbacks.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

 Empathy
Your ability to understand your feelings and share the feelings of others.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

 Self-regulation
Managing your emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and drive to achieve your goals.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

 Adaptability
Your openness to new ideas and experiences and the ability to adjust to changing situations.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

 Resourcefulness
Finding creative and effective ways to problem-solve.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

 Communication
Expressing yourself effectively and listening to others.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

 Problem-solving
Identifying and analyzing problems with clarity, developing creative strategies/solutions, and executing completion.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

 Collaboration
Supporting and working effectively with others to achieve common goals.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Now that you know, you can decide where you want to be and where to focus your efforts. Questions you may ask yourself:

How can I improve my life skills in the areas where I ranked lower?
What specific strategies can I use to enhance my problem-solving abilities?
How can I support and assist others to improve their life skills?

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
- Mae West –

LifeSkills Academy features online learning including Adulting life skills. Sign up for news & class notices: https://www.lifeskillsacademy.expert

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Essential Life Skills for: High School, College, & Young Adults

Written By: Sandi MacCalla, Founder - LifeSkills Academy ~ 9/30/2024

Changes in society, the workplace, and technology keep reshaping the landscape of ‘Adulting.’ Skills crucial for personal development, academic success, and career readiness continue evolving as we all progress forward. Ideally, here is an updated overview of key life skills for maturing age groups.

High School (Ages 14-18)

Faith and Ethical Decision-Making
- Applying faith principles to ethical dilemmas
- Engaging in faith-based discussions and reflections
Career Exploration and Planning
- Identifying interests and potential career paths
- Resume writing and interview skills
Personal motivation and discipline
- Goal attainment and time management
- Personal care - physical and mental health
Advanced Financial Skills
- Understanding credit, loans, and taxes
- Investing and long-term financial planning
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
- Advanced research skills
- Creative problem-solving and innovation
Tech Proficiency
- Mastering productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Suite)
- Basic programming and STEM-related skills
Leadership and Collaboration
- Leading projects and working in teams
- Conflict resolution and negotiation skills

College (Ages 18-22)

Faith and Identity Formation
- Exploring and solidifying personal faith beliefs
- Engaging in interfaith dialogues and community service
Financial Independence
- Managing student loans and personal finances
- Understanding contracts and financial agreements
Professional Development
- Networking and professional communication
- Building a personal brand and online presence
Advanced Technical Skills
- Specialized skills relevant to chosen fields
- Staying updated with industry trends and tools
Critical Thinking and Innovation
- Complex problem-solving and analytical skills
- Creative and strategic thinking
Global Awareness and Cultural Competence
- Understanding global issues and diverse cultures
- Developing adaptability and cross-cultural communication

Young Adults (Ages 22-35)

Faith and Life Purpose
- Integrating faith into personal and professional life
- Engaging in faith-based leadership and community involvement
Career Advancement
- Strategic career planning and goal setting
- Continuous learning and professional certifications
Advanced Communication Skills
- Persuasive communication and public speaking
- Effective negotiation and conflict management
- Forming and maintaining healthy relationships.
Financial Stability and Growth
- Advanced investment strategies
- Retirement planning and wealth management
Leadership and Management
- Leading teams, projects, organizations.
- Mentoring and coaching skills
- Responsibility and accountability for one's actions.
Work-Life Balance
- Adaptability and flexibility in the face of uncertainty.
- Stress management and self-care practices
- Balancing professional and personal life
- Time management and organization
- Basic home maintenance and repair skills.

Integrative growth into each age group provides a holistic approach to maturing so that individuals grow not only in skills but also in values and spirituality.

While this is a helpful blueprint, life does not always move in predictable bullet points (ex: Covid-19). Allow room and grace to focus on strengthening these competencies to attain the inner peace and resilience gained from ‘regressive life skills learning.’

(Regressive life skills learning is the process by which individuals acquire and develop essential life skills through challenging and negative experiences. These experiences, despite their difficulty, can serve as critical opportunities for growth and skill success.)

LifeSkills Academy features online learning to make mastering Adulting skills easier. Sign up for more news & class notices.

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Essential Life Skills Development - Elementary & Middle School

Written By: Sandi MacCalla, Founder - LifeSkills Academy ~ 9/23/2024

Well-learned life skills are crucial for personal development, academic success, and career readiness. Below is a current overview of the most important skills focusing on elementary and middle school. These essential skills continue to evolve, reflecting changes in our society and technology.

Elementary School - (Ages 6-11)

Emotional Intelligence
- Recognizing and managing emotions
- Empathy and effective communication
Faith Fundamentals
- Understanding basic faith principles
- Learning stories and values from family and religious texts
Social Skills
- Cooperation and teamwork
- Respecting others and resolving conflicts
Basic Financial Literacy
- Understanding the value of money
- Simple budgeting and saving practices
Digital Literacy
- Safe internet practices
- Basic computer skills and digital etiquette
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
- Asking questions and seeking answers
- Simple problem-solving activities

“No one is perfect- that’s why pencils have erasers.”
~ Wolfgang Riebe

Middle School (Ages 11-14)

Self-Management
- Time management and organization
- Goal setting and planning
Faith and Personal Values
- Exploring personal faith and its impact on daily life
- Participating in faith-based activities and community service
Interpersonal Skills
- Effective communication and active listening
- Developing empathy and understanding diversity
Digital Citizenship
- Understanding digital footprints and online safety
- Responsible use of social media
Advanced Financial Literacy
- More complex budgeting and saving strategies
- Introduction to banking and investments
Critical Thinking and Analysis
- Evaluating information sources
- Logical reasoning and decision-making

“My attitude has always been, if you fall flat on your face,
at least you’re moving forward.
All you have to do is get back up and try again.”
~ Richard Branson

LifeSkills Academy features online learning to make Adulting skills easier. Sign up for more news & class notices.