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Life in the Fast Lane -- Skills for Survival (698 hits)

I often read that the sage old advice -- "Get a good education and get a good job" -- is outdated. More often than not, the person decrying this advice is promoting entrepreneurism, or has felt the devastating insecurity of the current job market. The reality is that they are experiencing the impact of "life in the fast lane."

What is needed in the current environment is a FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT SET OF SKILLS TO KEEP UP IN THE FAST LANE. We are living in a "continuous learning" environment, so what is needed is adaptive skills that enable you to learn at the speed of the traffic if you want to travel in the fast lane.

Here is a view of the fundamental skills required in the 21st century. These don't relate specifically to earning a college degree, or other formal certification. Even with a degree, if you haven't mastered these skills, you will find yourself falling behind.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS
- Read With Understanding
- Convey Ideas in Writing
- Speak So Others Can Understand
- Listen Actively
- Observe Critically

DECISION-MAKING SKILLS
- Solve Problems and Make Decisions
- Plan
- Use Math to Solve Problems and Communicate

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
- Cooperate With Others
- Guide Others
- Advocate and Influence
- Resolve Conflict and Negotiate

LIFELONG LEARNING SKILLS
- Take Responsibility for Learning
- Learn Through Research
- Reflect and Evaluate
- Use Information and Communications Technology
Equipped for the Future, http://eff.cls.utk.edu/default.htm , is an organization that studies the skills adults need to thrive in the 21st century. Their study tells us that without certain basic skills, survival will be extremely difficult.

Posted By: Roger E Madison Jr
Wednesday, January 28th 2009 at 4:23AM
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Excellent blog post Brother Roger.
Thursday, January 29th 2009 at 10:10AM
Jen Fad

Dear Roger:

I couldn't agree with you more. However, I must stress that we currently live in a "morally bankrupt" world and too many times those of us who have mastered these skill have a tendency to "devalue" those who lack them. If our society is going to progress we must also "spiritually" progress.

Sincerely,

Gail Cooper
Thursday, January 29th 2009 at 7:01PM
GAIL COOPER

Hello Gail,
You hit upon one of those highly charged words -- value. This leads to "values". One man's values leads to anothers charge of "elitism", or the charge of devaluing others. Indeed, we are surrounded by corruption and greed, as well as those who are spiritual.

As you can see, when we starte to place labels on others, or even ourselves, we walk a dangerous path. Recently, I was on a radio show, and when I championed the skills above, I was accused of being an elitist. The assumption was that I was somehow placing myself above those who had not acquired most of these skills. I was confronted with the old "book learning versus common sense" argument.

My position is that the pursuit of excellence is not something that one should apologize for. Certainly, the greedy and morally bankrupt also pursue excellence in the acquistion of skills. Their application of the skills may be morally bankrupt, but that doesn't make pursuit of the skills a bad thing. These are survival skills -- no less important than learning to plant and hunt, and survive the elements in generations past.

I appreciate the feedback to this blog. The important thing is that we must master these skills in greater abundance to move into the "fast lane" so that we can close the gaps that limit our pursuit of happiness and prosperity in the 21st century.

Roger Madison
www.izania.com

Friday, January 30th 2009 at 12:21AM
Roger E Madison Jr

Roger, I look back at when those words were said in the "good old days" when there were JOBS to be had. Back then when my grade school teacher tried to stress into us how important it was to learn to SPELL. I regret not listening as I did when she tried to drill it into me so very much until I take it upon myself to add, learn to spell to your beautiful list of needed skills for this century!

Thank you for allowing me to say this for the youth of our future...
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA