Skills that are Hard to Learn But Will Payoff Forever in Life
Skills are the cheat code for getting more opportunities
and having a better life.

Some skills are timeless and will benefit you in twenty years from now.
These skills have changed my life astronomically.
They are not easy, but they are worth it.
Public Speaking
Public speaking isn’t just a skill; it’s a valuable asset that can unlock numerous opportunities in life.

Your ideas, philosophy, and knowledge are essentially useless
if you can’t effectively convey them to others.
Unfortunately, many people tend to overlook the importance of public speaking
because it’s a challenging skill to master, requiring consistent effort and
ongoing improvement over months or even years.
However, becoming a proficient public speaker comes with numerous benefits, including:
- Career Advancement: Effective public speaking can significantly boost your career prospects.
- Personal Development: Public speaking is a powerful tool for personal growth and self-improvement.
- Boosted Confidence: As you become a more accomplished public speaker, your self-confidence grows.
- Improved Communication Skills: This skill enhances your overall communication abilities.
I was so scared during my first public speaking in college;
it wasn’t perfect, but I was courageous enough to stand up and speak.
Ever since I started putting myself out there,
more opportunities have begun to open up for me.
People know me and what I can do;
I am not just a random friend or colleague,
but a person they can rely on on occasion.
You will never start perfectly, but you will thank yourself later.
Managing your time effectively

Our generation is arguably the busiest in the past few centuries,
yet this busyness doesn’t necessarily equate to productivity.
Many individuals stay busy with trivial activities
such as excessive social media use and consumption of online content
that adds little value to their lives.
Often, these behaviors serve as a form of escapism from reality.
To make the most of your day,
it’s vital to learn effective time management and prioritize your tasks wisely.
This approach can help you shift from mere busyness to true productivity.
I used to work so hard writing low-quality articles,
thinking I was being productive.
These low-quality articles take less than 10 minutes,
which doesn’t require much effort from me.
However, I was later rejected by an Ad Company,
which prompted me to review these articles and compare them.
I started rewriting these articles, which took me at least an hour,
but the quality was great.
In the past, I was busy; now I am productive.
Mindfulness

Your greatest enemy is yourself.
The way you perceive, portray, and project yourself reflects your mindset.
Sometimes, it is our own self-destructive patterns
and reactions to problems that cause more damage.
When something bad happens, our immediate reaction is to judge,
but sometimes the best thing to do is to meditate.
The problem is bad, but it is not as big as your mind makes it out to be.
Be kind to yourself and practice positive self-talk
because we all make mistakes.
Reaching a state of self-compassion
and resilience may take months or even years.
Positive self-talk is a straightforward shift of mindset.
Here are some examples:
- Instead of saying, “I’m hurt,” say, “I’m growing and healing.”
- Instead of thinking, “I’m losing,” remind yourself, “I’m learning.”
- Replace “I was rejected” with “I was redirected to where I belong.”
Cultivating a positive mindset can significantly ease the challenges in your life.
After experiencing several rejections and failures in 2023,
I came to understand the importance of mindfulness in challenging times.
Honesty
It’s crucial to be honest with yourself,
regardless of your interactions with others.
In business, particularly, you’ll encounter many harsh realities.
If you’re not upfront with yourself,
you’ll perpetuate your struggles.
Honesty removes the veil that obstructs your mind
from recognizing the truth.
I had to be honest with myself during my dark days,
because people often don’t tell you the truth.
I discovered that I am not perfect in many things,
and I have insecurities and doubts.
In business, I hire people with expertise that I lack,
rather than doing everything myself.
I seek advice from mentors when I lack the necessary knowledge.
I am willing to do this because I am honest with myself and others.
Living in the moment
Both the past and the future are constructs of our minds.
Our existence is in the now.
Understanding this concept is crucial;
it allows you to concentrate on the current moment.
Living in the past doesn’t solve any of your problems,
and living in the future makes you too delusional.
Instead of daydreaming about everything, I always ask myself:
Is the past that I am obsessing over going to change something in the present?
These simple questions help me let go and focus on the present.
With goals,
I always ask myself: What goal can I start working on immediately that will enhance my life?
While your past might have been challenging, it’s no longer a reality.
Your desire is to create a brighter and better future,
start in the present.
Mastering consistency
Life is a journey filled with various experiences and opportunities.
One crucial skill that will drive you forward,
regardless of the obstacles and failures you encounter, is consistency.
Mastering the art of consistency can significantly ease your life.
99% of highly successful people were consistent long before achieving success.
While the public often observes apparent overnight successes,
they may not be aware of the years of unwavering commitment and effort.
Consistency is the foundation that can elevate you
to a level beyond the reach of mere luck.
Being true to yourself and doing what you said you are going to do
Discipline is the key to attaining your goals.
While motivation may initially rise when you see an inspiring goal, it tends to fade over time.
Discipline is essential, it provides the unwavering
determination required to persist and progress continuously.
Motivation initiates your journey, but it’s the discipline that sustains it.
Final thoughts
Doing the hard things and accumulating skills that are hard to learn
is the key to having a better life.
You will become valuable by raising your standards at your workplace
and in society, as people often lack these skills.
Many companies will want to employ you; you can ask for a raise and get it,
or get many clients.
Feel free to share with the community one skill that improved your life.
Also, read: Harsh Quotes That Will Hurt Like Crazy but Will Make You a Better Person
The 8th skill wasn’t revealed, or, at least, I didn’t see it.
What might it be?