
My Top Three Skills
We are not born into this world as exact copies of one another, but rather as unique individuals who can create our own paths. We have different interests, goals, habits, and external factors that all influence what we perceive to be our strengths. Sometimes opportunity and other times hardships can help show us where we shine. In this blog, I’m going to indicate and describe three of my top skills.
- Dedication
In high school, I desperately wanted to run a 5:30 minute mile in track. I was a good runner, but not a natural great. This got me thinking about what I could do to give myself an edge. Hence, I began reading about improving sport performance. I began incorporating squats and deadlifts. And I did so in a tailored manner for improving at the one-mile distance. I began waking up early before school in order to incorporate the strength training, usually three to four days a week. I used a plan of progressive overload, trying to increase either my weight lifted, repetitions performed per a set, or the number of total sets done by a small percentage week to week. Finally, I improved my nutrition. I cut out as much processed food as possible. A torment for me as someone who ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches almost daily for lunch. I instead began incorporating much more lean meats and made sweet potatoes a staple of my daily routine. Ultimately, I was able to not only make it to my goal time of 5:30 but even a few seconds faster.
Fast forward to today and I’ve consistently been awarded employee of the month awards in my previous jobs. At my current job, a food service chain, I regularly pick up extra shifts when the team needs help. I go above and beyond my assigned duties to get tasks done. When I come to work, I have absolutely no problem skipping my break in order to make sure all the food is prepped before the onslaught of incoming orders that begins at eleven in the morning and lasts until two in the afternoon. When I’m scheduled to be off work, I always make sure everyone is in a position to be successful before I leave, even if that means staying longer.
Whenever I have a task to complete, I believe I should do it to the best of my abilities, no matter how menial. To not do my best effort, I think would be to not be dedicated to the goal at hand. I try to bring this mindset to any task I pursue. When I’m learning new skills, say for a job, I ask questions, listen to advice and critiques, and then implement that new-found knowledge in order to perform better and create improved results.
2. Learning
Growing up I always had a passion for learning new skills. During the holiday seasons, instead of asking for certain things, I would much rather ask to be enrolled in different classes. I would want to join a Taekwondo gym, be a boy scout, take surfing classes, or join a summer wrestling program.
To this day I strive to learn. I regularly listen to a Spanish learning podcast on my way to and from work. I read about current events happening throughout the world. For example, after recently hearing of the U.S. military pulling out from northern Syria I’ve pursued learning about the history of the Kurds within the middle-east and what’s led to the current political strife.
I even just finished a book about Universal Basic Income after learning of its rising popularity with current presidential candidates. I decided it was important to gain a working knowledge of its premise. And I am now in the process of reading a book that takes an opposing stance against it.
At my past job working at an RV manufacturing plant, my main role was to count inventory throughout a large outdoor setting, record it, and log it into our inventory system. However, as the opportunities arose, I learned how to receive inventory, do tare weights on boxed inventory, put away inventory from truck to location, and in general, I was able to quickly learn various roles within the operations of the company.
With this said I think my passion for learning can apply to almost any aspect in life. When it comes to work I want to be able to the best job I possibly can. This might mean becoming acquainted with different software, learning particular business practices, and preparing myself for any situation I might find myself in. I’m confident that I’ll always learn everything I need to whether for hobby or task.
3. Resourcefulness
When I was 22 I herniated a disc in my back, had to have surgery, and was told I’d probably never be able to run, lift, or grapple again. This was a bomb dropped on my life and I couldn’t accept it. After attending the scheduled post-op physical therapy with little improvement in my back pain. I decided to take matters into my own hands. I began doing massive amounts of research about improving mobility. I read articles, watched hundreds of YouTube videos, and even made long trips out of my way to see the very best, even for just one physical therapy session. Just to pick their brain and learn from them. After much trial and error, I am pleased to say that I again run, lift, and grapple. It was very much a process of trial and error. I believe my resourcefulness allowed me to find top-notch information, through various modes, and bypass a process of mediocre physical therapy, all while gaining knowledge. I now know I can use this resourcefulness and apply it to find solutions in future situations.
Since then I’ve been able to apply my resourcefulness to improving my performance in most facets of life. When I have a class I’m struggling with, it’s no problem. I find extra help via YouTube; examples on the internet, and explanations from friends. For example, if I’m having minor problems with my car, I can use the same process. I simply find the help that I can on the internet or from friends. Overall, I’m able to independently find solutions to any current problems.
I’m confident that I can bring this resourcefulness to any job I might do. I can draw research through various sources. I can find ways to improve what I’m doing, such as finding techniques to improve my communication skills or properly using new software. And I can implement this resourcefulness for real results. I believe the skills I’ve listed give me the ability to take on any challenge, make needed adjustments, and deliver results. In a world where technology is always moving, I have the ability to learn, make changes and produce results.
