Life can be unpredictable, so it helps to have different skills to pull on during challenging situations. Being self-reliant can increase our confidence, and make us more efficient and capable, especially during challenges. We have five essential things you need to know that can make life easier.

You should know how to dress for different occasions.

Our clothes indicate our personality and how we want others to view us. So, dressing inappropriately for some events might make you appear unprofessional or lead to discomfort. To dress suitably, focus on the type of event (work, business meeting, party, dinner date, etc.) and the correct dress code for each occasion. Always ensure that your clothes are clean and that there aren’t any holes or tears in the fabric or hemline. You don’t know who you will meet while out, so looking your best in public is encouraged.

A setback has crucial lessons you can use.

It is easy to become disappointed when something we desire does not work out in our favour. It could be getting a dream job, a new home, a salary increase, or the venue you need for an important event. Despite this, setbacks allow us to pause, assess the situation, try a different approach, meet new people, and learn new skills. If you are experiencing a setback, try to manage your emotions, ask for and receive help, exercise flexibility, and keep trying. Look for opportunities to learn from what is happening and find new tools to get the desired outcome.

Learning to negotiate can make life better.

Negotiating can help advance your career, create value (contracts), and resolve issues. Good negotiation skills can also save you a lot of money. There are several negotiating styles you can choose like compromising (wants a mutually beneficial outcome), avoiding (objective and avoids creating tension), collaborating (works with the other party to find creative solutions that satisfy all parties), accommodating (trying to please the other party while minimising conflict), and competing (works at getting what they want and is results-oriented). You can assess the situation and use one or more of these styles.

Managing your finances well can prevent unnecessary debt and overspending.

Financial mismanagement can lead to debt and stress. Learn how to properly manage your money by creating a budget, automating your income, saving money, investing, and paying yourself first. Pay attention to how you use your credit cards. When you use your credit card irresponsibly, you might make unnecessary purchases, overspend on some items, and miss out on some benefits. Pay your credit card balances on time and fully each month to avoid late fees. Financial literacy is fundamental in managing finances well. You should consider hiring a financial planner if you need help.

You should know that it is OK to ask for help.

Many of us fear how others view us when we ask for help. We don’t want others to think we are weak, incapable, or ignorant, so it takes courage to ask for help. While seeking help can take you out of our comfort zone, it allows you to grow. You can build meaningful connections when others share their resources and information with you. It also shows that you find them competent, trust their ideas, and value their advice. You might also get some fresh ideas or a different perspective.

Yello wants you to have the resources that can make everyday living easier. You can use our Find Yello search bar to locate therapists, doctors, and related businesses with the products and services that might help you.

Sources: Life Hack, MasterClass, Proactive Health Movement and A Conscious Rethink.