Skills that every 24 year old should know

I think 24/25 year old is a crucial landmark age. Your personality has already been shaped, you are just beginning to make a career, serious about life partner and settling down, big yet achievable dreams and few are fighting through the mid-life crisis with less money in your pocket ! I tell you what there is still room for learning many more. When I was in my early 20s, by virtue of my parents, friends, relatives, teachers most of the basis skills were imbibed in me. I don’t wanna brag about myself but I think these are crucial and every individual must possess. Start working towards these skills from an early age to achieve most of them.

1. Cycling, Riding and Driving- Every individual must know how to ride a bicycle, drive a motorbike and a car. To be able to transit from one location to another using a private vehicle without depending on others at any point of time is a necessity. Possessing a driving license is must and very basic need.

2. Swimming- You should be able to dive into waters anytime without fear and be able to stroke for 100 metres or more and float for a while. You might encounter a situation and this will not only save your own life but also others. Drowning is still one of the most common causes of accidental death in children, you can save a child’s life someday.

3. Running, fitness and Sports- Pick one or two sports that you love, like running, football, tennis, badminton, cricket, basketball, volleyball, baseball or hockey etc. Master the sport, these will help you keep yourself fit and fine all the time.

4. Making tea and Cooking- You should be able to welcome an unexpected guest anytime with atleast a cup of tea. Days might turn up that you are posted in a remote location for on-site project work and where you don’t have a cook. Basic cooking skill is required for survival.

5. Hobby and breaking through deadly bad addictions- Quit smoking, reduce drinking (be a social drinker only), adopting a hobby and cultivating it will help breaking through bad habits. Be passionate about your hobby and look ahead to turn your passion into profession. When both meets together,name, fame, money, career everything escalates. Life feels good.

6. Public Speaking- To be able to stand out in the crowd and convey a message or an idea across the public can be a requirement in many situations. Most of us have nerve issues in handling this . To overcome this fear you must effectively practice from small gatherings and take every available opportunity in delivering a speech or performing Master of Ceremony duties. Everyone has stage fear initially but goes off in time with a little bit of practice. Never hesitate stepping on stage and remember those who have been on stage have always remained high in their lives.

7. Presentation and communication skills- If you have not developed this from your school time, you need to work a little more harder to get it fast track but this can be done only on a progressive basis. Every job these days demand certain level of presentation and communication skills. Not to hover around the subject/ idea and to convey the points to various person in various situations by both verbal as well as written communication methods, is an essential skill.

8. Shake Hands and interpersonal skills- Pay a little attention initially and you will nail it. I learnt this in my younger years from an engineer named ‘Dhruv’ who used to visit our site regularly for support. Everytime I met this gentleman he would reach out first and gently clutch in the grip, made an eye contact, held his hand into mine firmly and then brought the tremor. The tremor was a kind of pump, an earthquake, like a mild shock. He used to execute it so well and I could feel the vibrations resonating, the impact was immense. Then the perfect release with a gentle smile. I carbon copied the same and have evolved the same through years. Even though I have a lean figure, everyone compliments my style of shake hands afterwards. Be careful not to apply the same force towards opposite sex and be more gentle and mild while shaking.

9. Basic Computer skills- Paying electricity bills, booking a cab, online shopping, applying for Jobs, typing in Word, preparing presentations in PowerPoint, creating balance sheets in Excel, email, internet surfing etc are some of the basic skills required these days.

10. Sense of humour and Sarcasm- I believe this is something people are gifted with. However, this can also be developed over a period of time. By the time you reach 24 it has already been shaped by your upbringing. Having a good sense of humor makes you more acceptable to others whether at work place or in the personal front. It helps to reduce stress and manage difficult situations at ease. Sarcasm is just at a higher level. Some are borne, others have to enhance it and initially imitation is a good way to start learning it. It is a great way to get a laugh and make the best of a bad situation. Sarcasm is one of the most effective weapon at times to deal with office politics. Sarcasm is a deadly skill and my favourite.

11. Reading- Reading is a valuable key that will keep you ahead of many others. By the time you reach the age of 24, you should have read all the Best selling novels. Picking four or five favourite authors and sticking to them will help you achieve the reading goals faster. This will not only widen your vocabulary but also sharpen your communication skills.

12. Goal settings (Short and long terms)- Weighing your priorities and specifically setting goals both short and long in a time bound. It should be realistic and achievable. Measure your progress from time to time.

13. Money and Time Management- Always ensure that your expenditure should not exceed your income (pocket money for that reason). Financial planning is important and should not be dealt negligently. Balance is the key and remember a busy man is one who has time for everything. Effective time management is imperative at this stage to effectively achieve your goals and targets in time. Time is the most importance resource and do not procrastinate.

14. Basic Navigation skills- Should be acquainted with the city and country maps. Should be able to navigate from one place to another using GPS.

15. To be able to change a flat tyre- There will definitely be a situation where you will have to change a flat tyre of your car. It doesn’t take much to learn and will save your time and effort someday.

16. CPR and First Aid- Every individual must know how and when to give CPR. Basic first aid skill is something that everyone must possess and can save somebody’s life.

17. Fire Fighting and Actions in case of emergency- Should know the type of fires and be able to extinguish minor fires in an instant. Know the emergency organisation of your city. Have all the contact nos of ambulance services, hospitals, police, Fire tenders and snake catchers. In case of contingencies, he/she should be able to effective handle the situation without wasting any time. A stitch in time save nine.

18. Basic Singing and a few Dance steps- In a social gathering sometimes you might be pulled and dragged to sing or dance. Not to be embarrassed at such instances and to be able to handle the situation effectively, you must prepare for one or two famous songs and a few dance steps well in advance. I can bet the melody or your steps won’t matter, the confidence with which you perform will bring you a lot of accolades and gather social attention.

19. To be able to handle midlife career crisis sensitively - At this age you would probably be a fresher/ junior or an employee with less experience in your career. This makes you vulnerable towards lot of worse situations where you would be pushed to the edge by your bosses. Handle self ego effectively and have positive attitude towards work. The emotional state worsens with the person who are unable to get a suitable job. Therefore it is important to have self control towards inferiority complex or breaking down within emotionally.

20.Reasoning and General Awareness- Good Reasoning skills and General awareness will help you crack through any interviews. It is absolutely necessary to keep in pace with the latest trends and technologies.

Avik Paul

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