What are life skills?

 

Life Skills are often discussed but rarely defined. They are the skills that enable us to succeed in the environments in which we live. They can be:

•  Behavioral (example: communicating effectively with peers and adults)
•  Cognitive (example: making effective decisions)
•  Interpersonal (example: being assertive)
•  Intrapersonal (example: setting goals)

Different definitions of success

Because we are all different, our definitions of success will be unique. Among other differences, we vary in what life skills we've already mastered, and in what other resources and opportunities, real or perceived, are available to us. Although there are some basic skills that we all need, these skills may not be the same for individuals of different ages, ethnic and/or racial groups, or economic status. Moreover, we believe that the key to being successful is the ability to apply or transfer skills learned in one environment to other environments.

 

Identifying our environments

Our environments can include families, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods and communities. As we get older, the number of environments in which one must be successful increases. For instance, a child need only succeed within the family; an adolescent must succeed in the family, school, and neighborhood; adults must succeed in the family, workplace, neighborhood, and community.

 

Progress through positive steps

For life skills programs to be effective, we should assess individuals not in terms of problems or lack of problems, but in terms of their potential. Being problem-free is not the same as being competent. Many "life skills" programs seem to focus on teaching refusal skills, that is, what to avoid or not do. These programs are incomplete and make it hard for individuals to change, since knowing what to avoid is not the same as knowing how to succeed. We believe that learning life skills should begin with identifying hopes and dreams and then setting appropriate goals to achieve those dreams. By setting goals, we take positive steps toward success.