How Do Your Outside Skills Translate to Work?

Does your personal life really contribute to your career? Let’s find out.

Have you ever wondered how all of the skills you build up over time—just as a human existing and functioning in this world—can be leveraged to improve your professional reputation?

Last month, I took half of a week off because there were two huge milestones I accomplished as mom and aunt. First I took my son to fly to Dallas—as an unaccompanied minor. He’s twelve (which is something I repeated to myself often while we were at the airport) so it’s not that big of a deal. But it was still a lot for this mom.

I’ve never done anything like that before. But when your son’s best friend in the whole world moves from Pennsylvania to Texas, well, you have to adjust.

The day after the flight, I was on aunt duty with my two nieces while my brother and his wife headed to the hospital to welcome daughter number three to the world.

What do these events have to do with business?

The skills we build in one way often translate into other areas of life: both personal and professional. Often, we don’t know how that is going to happen, but we’re glad when we have the skills we need.

The idea we’re obliterating today:

Growth is linear and we can control all intended outcomes.

The remake:

These three skills are probably used by you on a regular basis. I can’t think of any job that doesn’t require them. But have you added them to your skills on LinkedIn or put them on your resume?

?? 1. Managing negotiations. As a businesswoman, I spend a lot of time negotiating and advocating for myself and my team. Those skills came in handy when I was with my nieces, trying to negotiate things like dinner, bedtime, and whose turn it was to watch which show on the television.

?? 2. Problem-solving through communication. As a copywriter, one of the most important skills I have is getting information out of people so that I can write for them and their audiences. This came in super handy when I was checking my son in at the airport.

I wanted to know what we should do about the 3-hour security line with our 2-hour check-in time. (It was a super early flight, and check-in lines don’t open several hours early when you’re on the first flight). So, I threw a statement out there, without insisting on some sort of special treatment.

“That line looks pretty intense,” I said.

“Yeah,” the desk agent said, “But you know, you’re welcome to use the priority line. Head to the right when you see Duncan Donuts.”

We walked right through the first-class line without any problem, and my son made his flight. P.S. If you ever take or pick up an unaccompanied minor, because of the nature of the airline taking temporary custody of your child, you can use the priority line.

?? 3.? Being Curious to be prepared. Because I read every piece of literature the airline had put out about sending your kid as an unaccompanied minor, my son had his birth certificate with him when they checked it on his way back from Texas to Pennsylvania to verify his identity. Being curious makes me extra prepared in any situation, and that’s a valuable business skill.

One Lit Moment:

“Not bad for a guy who got fired from Facebook and was in English as a second language.” –Noah Kagan, Million Dollar Weekend: The Surprisingly Simple Way to Launch

What Kristin is Writing/Thinking About:

While I finish up my new book this week, I’m thinking a lot about the offer I make inside of its pages. Have you ever wondered what all of my writing experience could look like if we put it to work for you?

Right now, I still have space available for my 6 week 1:1 consulting program, Marketing Foundations, where I create the big bricks you need in your business communication to finally see the growth you’ve been wanting.

Want to find out more? Schedule a meeting with me HERE.

You are amazing, I believe in you, and you can absolutely obliterate to remake.

Talk soon,

Kristin N. Spencer

About the Author:

Kristin N. Spencer is an International Bestselling Author, Writing Consultant, Value-Based Marketing Expert, and Speaker who has worked as a Ghostwriter on the bench of Forbes Books. She is the owner, lead writer, and big boss lady for Literary Symmetry, LLC where she helps companies and solopreneurs craft language through copywriting that make sales easier and faster with her proven, contrarian approaches. Kristin has hosted two top 5% podcasts, including Your Business Story, and is always excited to help business professionals share their strategic stories.