So I’m well aware that this series has stretched beyond just a few pages. But I guess that’s the nature of how things work. Luckily I don’t just have a few pages to tell you everything I want you to know, but this exercise had still really made me think about all I’ve learned and taught over the years. About the things that changed and about the things that stayed the same.
About the things that applied to certain people in certain circumstances and the things that applied to everyone. We really only have one more thing to cover here, one last thing. But at the same time this could on for so much more. Because having this knowledge is great but I’d ask that as a favor to me, that you not sit on it. Don’t let it sit around in your brain collecting dust.
Do something with it. Forge a plan. Set out goals. SMART goals. Goals that have a deadline and clearly visible condition when you reach it. You need to know if you have reached your goal or not. But let’s get back into it. With the final thing that I’d like to tell you.
If I Only Had A Few Pages – The Soft Skills
There was a time in this world when man would carve out his place in it through his will, wits, and might. He’d make his claim with his tribe or setting out from his tribe and conquering others and nature. Through this strength he would get the sustenance he needs to grow a family and live the life that he wants. We have moved a long way from that life. While strength is still needed, it is not longer needed for survival and sustenance. There are other skills that have replaced these in our ‘civilized’ society.
What has replaced these, as far as sustenance goes, are the ‘soft skills’. They are called by many names and go under many categories. I’ve talked about them before. Sales, marketing, copywriting, persuasion, “win friends and influence people”, communication, politicking, and so on and so forth. You can literally talk your way to a million bucks in today’s world by making people feel good and like you. These are the skills that’ll earn your bread and butter. These are the skills that are your modern day spear, bow, and hammer.
These are the skills that’ll put meat on your table and in the bellies of your young. These are the skills that’ll get you a good home. That’ll free up your time so you can do as you please with it. Never, ever underestimate these skills. Hard skills won’t take you very far, but soft skills, now that’s a whole other picture. Don’t get mad about the power of these skills like so many do. Instead, embrace them, learn all that you can about them.
Study them day in and day out. Because their return on investment is high, higher than you think. Don’t hate on the restaurant CEO that couldn’t make a dish to save his life, figure out why he’s making twice what anyone else in the company is making. Don’t hate on politics, they are a part of human life. Just like death and taxes. Learn to leverage and use them to get what you want out of this world. You don’t have to be dishonest or hurt people, or anything negative. But you do have to be savvy, you do have to be wise.
Putting It All Together
There’s the five. To recap.
- Diet as the foundation of health.
- A man must fight.
- Read.
- Meditate and be in nature.
- The soft skills.
If I could only get five things across to you, that’s what they’d be. Notice that there’s very little directly there about what most guys ask about. Meaning about the dating/mating game, money, or even necessarily fitness. Although if you make all five of these things a habit I don’t think health, wealth, or relationships are going to be an issue for you if you don’t want them to be. Obviously crazy things can happen but overall, on average, I think you’ll be good. If you truly embody these things and make them a daily part of your life.
Maybe we’ll go into a fourth section on how to make these all a daily part of your life.
Until then, thanks for reading.
Here’s to creating the best life possible.
God Bless,
-Charles Sledge
