3 daily habits to boost your soft skills

3 daily habits to boost your soft skills

93% of employers consider soft skills as either "essential" or "very important" when hiring; therefore, your ability to communicate and empathize could be the deciding factor in landing your dream job!

By Claire Jollain

3 minutes
soft skills in action

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Have you ever wondered what sets apart the rockstars of the professional world from the rest? Spoiler alert: it's not just their technical prowess. It's their soft skills that make them shine!

93% of employers consider soft skills as either "essential" or "very important" when making hiring decisions (Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers). That's right, your ability to communicate, lead, and problem-solve could be the deciding factor in landing your dream job!

But here's the best part: You can level up your soft skills game no matter where you start. You can transform into a soft skills superhero with the following three simple daily practices!

 

1. Share the Love: Make Someone Smile Every Day

Remember that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you make someone's day? That's not just good vibes – it's soft skills in action!

Challenge: Each day, set out to brighten someone's day. It could be:

  • Complimenting a classmate on their presentation skills

  • Helping a lost tourist find their way

  • Calling your grandma for a quick chat (she'll love it, trust me!)

By doing this, you'll flex your empathy, communication, and emotional intelligence muscles. Plus, you'll create a positive ripple effect. Win-win!

 

2. Feed Your Curiosity: Learn Something New Every Day

In today's world, learning opportunities are literally at your fingertips. And guess what? Every new thing you learn contributes to your soft skills toolkit!

Try this:

  • Learn a new word and use it in conversation

  • Watch a 2-minute educational video on Instagram (yes, scrolling can be productive!)

  • Read an article about a topic outside your field

This habit sharpens your adaptability, critical thinking, and lifelong learning skills. Plus, you'll always have an interesting tidbit to share at parties!

 

3. Treat Yourself: Practice Self-Care Daily

Here's a plot twist: taking care of yourself is also a soft skill! Self-awareness and stress management are crucial for professional success.

Pick your daily self-care ritual:

  • Take a relaxing bath with your favorite podcast playing

  • Read a chapter of that book you've been meaning to finish

  • Do a 10-minute guided meditation (try the Headspace app for starters)

By prioritizing self-care, you improve your resilience, time management, and overall well-being. Remember, you can't pour from an empty cup!

 

Your Soft Skills Transformation Starts Now!

Ready to kick-start your soft skills journey? Here's your action plan:

  1. Your Daily Challenges: Pick one activity from each category to try this week.

  2. Track Your Progress: Use a journal or a habit-tracking app to log your daily soft skills exercises.

  3. Reflect and Adjust: At the end of the week, think about what worked well and what you'd like to change.

 

Weekly Challenge

This week, I challenge you to try all three habits every day. By Sunday, share your experience on social media using #SoftSkillsSuperstar. Let's inspire each other to grow!

Remember, becoming a soft skills master is a journey, not a destination. Every small step counts. So, are you ready to transform your professional future, one smile, one fact, and one self-care ritual at a time?

Let's do this!

 

 

 

By Claire Jollain

Assistant Dean, SHMS Caux campus