3 Skills Hard to Learn, But Will Pay Off

Our worlds are moving so fast. Very fast. Industries are shaped (or destroyed) on an average of 5–10 years. That is quick!
Along with shifts in consumer markets follow business shifts to play to consumers. Follow the market they say.
In other cases, which is even rarer, organizations lead consumers into a new market (i.e. think of what Apple did in the 2000s and especially, with the introduction of the iPad in 2010 leading consumers into the tablet space).
In today’s world with technology at the forefront and not going anywhere anytime soon, this is the key skill to learn. A lot of politicians have conjured up a lot of fear and deflected on this issue time and time again by scaring constituents without telling them the honest truth:
The jobs that you once had, will never come back. Why? because of rapid technological advances.
It is not immigrants and it is not people. It is performing better processes at a faster, more efficient pace which will save time and money Is it fair when people are the cost? Absolutely not, but this is the world we live in. If you do not have the skills to compete in the 21st century, you will be lost.
This is especially true in the developed world.
So, the skill(s) to learn that will pay off in the long-run are these:
1. Embracing, not fearing.
If you are still in school, completing college or going through masters, you have a unique opportunity to really immerse yourself in technology. Study market trends. Learn where it is going like with A.I. and Blockchain which is set to really transform many industries. Data science, computer science and having a technical skill in this era will pay off in the long run. To those who are not in the formal educational space and still early in their careers, continuous re-training is key to keep up with advances. Multiply that technical skill with a business mindset and you are ahead of the curve.
2. Storytelling is the new phase of marketing.
As a writer myself, this may come easier. But this is now at the forefront of business and marketing. Personal branding in the workplace and as a lone individual is key to differentiate yourself. The best part is that you have the internet at your fingertips to begin. Story-telling allows to develop thought-leadership towards a subject that matters to you and show off your expertise. If you are a business owner, this the new phase of marketing. Utilize digital platforms to tell the story of your business to connect with consumers. Learn the art of story-telling and how to connect with anyone. If you are working for an organization, this is just as important. People love stories in any arena and why you do, what you do. It will improve your personal life as well.
3. Mentality is fundamental.
As connected as we are, we are just as disconnected. It is very easy to succumb to a negative mindset. Social media has exacerbated this problem, with people falling for the comparison trap. Mindset and attitude are everything. It will help put you in a position for a promotion, a high bonus or even taking on new business endeavors as well as new dating experiences. Life is challenging, and yes some jobs are not fulfilling but having persistence to drive consistence is paramount. However, what you can control is taking action and adopting a healthy mental attitude that no matter how difficult things may be currently, it is only temporary. Adopting this mental shift helps to push through any challenge, and in turn, improving confidence in your own abilities. Confidence is needed to succeed personally and professionally. This is a muscle that must always be exercised.
These skills are difficult because they, like anything else to better yourself, takes a lot of time and energy. Most of all it all involves practice.
Originally published at www.quora.com.

