7 Skills That Are Hard to Learn But Pay Off

1. Effective  Time management

Effective time management is one of the most highly valued skills by employers.  It’s important to find a system that works for you and stick to it ..

2. Empathy

The ability to feel what others feel — is what makes good sales and service people truly great. Empathy as in team spirit motivates people to try harder. Empathy drives employees to push beyond their own apathy, to go bigger, because they feel something bigger than just a salary.

3. Consistency

Consistency is vital to maintaining any kind of success. People often stop working hard when they reach the top, but to maintain that top position, they have to work harder and be more consistent in their work.

4. Asking for help

"I once was told in a job interview, 'You can't have this job if you can't ask for help when you need it,'" Louise Christy writes. "Naturally, I said I could. Later, I found out that the previous person with that job had screwed up big-time because he was in over his head but couldn't admit it and didn't ask for help."

She explains that knowing when you need help and then asking for it is surprisingly difficult to learn and do because no one wants to be perceived as weak or incompetent.

But a recent study from the Harvard Business School suggests doing so makes you look more, not less, capable. According to the study authors, when you ask people for advice, you validate their intelligence or expertise, which makes you more likely to win them over.

5. Knowing when to shut up — and actually doing it

There are many instances when keeping to yourself is the best course. "When we are angry, upset, agitated, or vexed," writes Anwesha Jana, "we blurt out anything and everything that comes to our mind." And later, you tend to regret it. Keeping your mouth shut when you're agitated is one of the most valuable skills to learn, and of course, one of the most difficult.

6. Minding your business

Sticking your nose into other people's work isn't helpful and wastes time and resources. "You have no right to put forth your two or four cents, even if you are the last righteous person standing."

7. Mastering your thoughts

“To do what you want to do and accomplish what you want to accomplish, you need to consciously direct your thinking”,  Givert.

"The challenge is that we are the product of our past experience and all of our thinking is the result of this," he says. 

source: entrepreneurship.com