Do you know that your 20s create the actual shape of your life? Yes, it is much more than the end of your teenage years and the beginning of adulthood. It is also a decade where you lay the foundation for the rest of your life. This is the time when you are curious, hungry, adventurous, and want to learn more and more about yourself, your capabilities, and your passion. This is the period when an individual is done with school and college and tries to pursue higher studies. Do you know how easy life gets when you enter your 20s with some life-saving valuable skills? If you don’t, then you are in the right place. In this blog, we are going to discuss some life-saving skills like how to speak English fluently, how to accept change, how to deal with failures, how to research, how to take criticism, how to say no, and how to ask for help. It might sound silly at first, but trust me, learning these skills will ease your sufferings and allow you to catch better opportunities. Therefore, here are some unique and essential skills to focus on during this pivotal decade.
How to Speak English Fluently
In school and college, we often learn about everything but speaking English fluently. Along with science, arts, literature, and accounting, communication skills are vital for building and maintaining relationships, advancing in your career, and effectively expressing your ideas and needs. As we know, speaking fluent English is crucial in today’s globalized world, as it is the primary language of international business, science, and technology. To achieve English fluency, you have to start early by breaking the ice and communicating in English every day with your friends, teachers, or parents, expressing your feelings in English, working on your pronunciation, improving your grammar, enriching your vocabulary, seeking feedback so that you can track your personal growth, and joining public speaking clubs. You also have to remember, while practicing English fluency, to learn whole phrases or sentences, not just words, and how to put words together to share your thoughts. You can use various mobile apps to practice your English fluency, and you can also plan your conversations in your mind before any type of big event. Don’t put too much pressure on grammar as long as you’re able to convey your thoughts. Additionally, taking structured language courses and practicing writing regularly can refine your skills and broaden your access to career prospects, facilitate travel, and networking, laying a strong foundation for future success.
How to Accept Change
Life is not always the same and constantly changes. For example, do you remember your first dream of what you wanted to be in life? Are you still holding that dream? Perhaps not. Along with life, many things change, like our education, passion, choices, and preferences. But you have to prepare yourself to accept every change that life offers; otherwise, you won’t be able to catch up with the real world. Learning this in your twenties will change your life as this decade is often filled with significant life transitions, such as starting a career, forming new relationships, and becoming more independent. Accepting change not only allows you to adapt and thrive in new environments but also learn from diverse experiences and seize emerging opportunities. We have a hard time adjusting to change, but change is inevitable, and sometimes it’s for the better. To get accustomed to frequent change, change things around in your 20s: your habits, interactions, experiences, etc. Only then will you not let bigger changes affect you negatively in the later part of your life. By accepting change in life easily, you cultivate a mindset that is open to continuous learning and improvement and ready to take the ups and downs of your life, which is essential for long-term success and achievement.
How to Deal with Failures
In your 20s, you learn a lot about yourself. You learn what you are good at and what you are bad at. To balance your mixed emotions, learning how to deal with failures is a must-know skill. Taking risks is essential for growth, so is accepting your failures. Life doesn’t always go by your expectations, and it’s absolutely healthy to accept failure and let go of your expectations. Embrace failures as learning opportunities by analyzing what went wrong, seeking constructive feedback, and applying these lessons to future endeavors. Handling failures will also make you mentally strong, build resilience, enhance problem-solving skills, and prepare you for the inevitable challenges of life.
How to Research on Any Topic
More or less, in your 20s, you need to research various topics. Whether it’s about an academic curriculum, some kind of personal interest, or searching for suitable universities to pursue higher education outside of your country, in your 20s, you are filled with curiosities but don’t know how to feed them. From the beginning, you need to select a topic that you are interested in, then allocate your information, find sources, evaluate and analyze your information and sources, and then write and organize your research with proper citations. Learning how to research any topic can help you find your desired content and also enhance your research skills. According to an article by Shoolini University, research keeps you from lagging or harboring inaccurate information about a subject. You might utilize the most recent data to expand on ideas or speak eloquently about a topic. This brings us to the second point about establishing credibility. Research enables us to tackle global challenges and make evidence-based decisions. It sheds light on issues that have remained buried for long and allows people to discuss concerns and answer questions that society does not address. Both for academic success, career advancement, and staying well-informed, strong research skills are invaluable in a rapidly changing world.
How to Take Criticism
No matter how big you become, you always have to deal with criticism in your life. Criticism refers to getting positive or negative opinions from others. Learning how to take criticism positively can change your view of life. In fact, it is essential, as your 20s are a period of personal and professional growth. This is something that schools or colleges are unable to educate you about. They prepare you for everything but this. So when you are introduced to criticism, you often take it personally and behave inappropriately, as you are not ready to handle criticism. To handle criticism effectively, listen without becoming defensive, seek clarification to fully understand the feedback, and reflect on its merits. You can also use criticism as an opportunity for self-improvement by implementing suggestions and making necessary changes. According to an article by Zen Habits, by ignoring the insult, taking it as an opportunity to clarify, thanking the critic, using the opportunity to explain your point further, and staying positive, you have accepted the criticism with grace and appreciation. And in doing so, you remain the better person and feel great about yourself.
How to Say No
At first, it may sound funny, but there are a bunch of people who are unaware of how to properly convey their feelings, thoughts, or statements. Learning to say no will not only make your statement clear and transparent but also keep you out of unwanted trouble. It also helps to maintain balance and prioritizes your goals amidst numerous demands on your time and energy. Moreover, saying no is important as it protects your well-being, prevents burnout, and allows you to focus on what truly matters to you and truly makes you an honest person. Remember, saying no doesn’t make you a bad person; it makes you a person with a clear vocal presence who recognizes his limits and stays firm in his decisions to avoid overcommitting.
How to Ask for Help
Many of us hesitate to ask for help, feel awkward, run out of words, or don’t know how to approach or rely on someone who feels like a burden to us. But asking for help doesn’t make you less of anyone; in fact, it is vital for personal and professional growth, as it allows you to leverage the knowledge and support of others to overcome challenges and achieve your goals. When we ask people for their time, feedback, or support in a gracious way, it creates a win-win for everyone. Asking for help is a way to practice vulnerability, which is a necessary aspect of bringing our whole selves to work and life (Robbins, M., 2022). This skill is important, especially in your 20s, because it fosters collaboration, accelerates learning, and builds a network of supportive relationships.
Learning these skills in your 20s will lay a strong foundation for success and fulfillment in all areas of your life. It will make you well-prepared for upcoming hazards, help you grab opportunities, and keep you secure from unwanted trouble. Each skill complements the others, creating a well-rounded and adaptable quality in you. By focusing on speaking English fluently, accepting change, dealing with failures, conducting effective research, taking criticism constructively, learning to say no, and asking for help, you will not only gain practical abilities but also boost your confidence and capability to pursue your passions, build meaningful relationships, and achieve your goals.
