Super Skills for Life

Blog by Emma Whitson

As a high school athlete, there are many skills I have gained that I use in other areas of my life. Here are five things I learned from playing sports that I can apply to my ProX internship:

1. Teamwork

Many sports require athletes to work with others to be successful in the game. In the workplace, coworkers also have to collaborate to reach goals. It is important to be able to work well with others because not every task can be done by one person. Every person has strengths and weaknesses, so combining the skills of the whole team helps create the best results possible.

2. Communication

Communication is key in every aspect of life. Relationships, jobs, sports. If you are working with other people, you have to be able to tell them what you need and know what they need from you. If you don’t communicate with others, then you may be confused and that is not enjoyable. Communication helps everything run smoother and makes life easier for everyone involved.

3. Leadership

Leadership is a valuable life skill. On a sports team, there has to be someone experienced that is willing to step up and set an example for others. In the workplace, there are people that need to take charge to make sure that work is accomplished.

4. Perseverance

Not everything in life is going to go your way. In sports, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, but you have to continue to try and work towards your goal. While at work, things may go wrong and ideas you have may fail. Still, you have to push through and try new ideas. 

5. Positive Mindset

Your mindset and attitude are vital to what you are able to accomplish. Believing that things will get better allows you to make more progress than if you had a negative outlook on your situation. Having a positive mindset goes hand-in-hand with perseverance. You have to keep trying and keep your head up while you do it.

All of these skills have been applicable to the role I have at my summer internship. Just because you are starting your first job doesn’t mean that you have no experience or skills to bring to the job. By living life you are gaining skills. Work will be full of challenges, but you can always start by using what you know.