It was Christmas Day in 1987 and my favorite gift was a Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). I played Super Mario Brothers for hours that day on a black and white TV. I was so happy. It didn’t bother me that I couldn’t save my progress. It didn’t bother me that I had to sit pretty close to the screen because the controller wasn’t wireless. When the wireless controller was introduced later, it was groundbreaking. It was also much much more expensive. How could the controller communicate with the system without a connected wire? Fast forward to today and the wireless controller is standard. I am a PS4 Guy today and I no longer have to sit close to the TV because of the Bluetooth technology. Wireless devices are common and inexpensive.

A wireless controller works just as well as a wired controller. Although the connection can’t be seen by the eye, the wireless technology works perfectly. Soft Skills are like a wireless controller. Soft Skills can be defined as tools you need in order to achieve and sustain success. Soft Skills set you apart from others and allow you to attract multiple opportunities. Soft Skills are also intangible which means that you can’t see them, but you can recognize their presence. Here are some examples of Soft Skills:

• Strong work ethic
• Organization
• Communication Skills
• Adaptability
• Works well with others

You need to do all you can to invest in these skills. They are so powerful. Much like a wireless controller, it is hard to see how they work, but I guarantee you that they do.

MB (c/o 98)

It Can Be Done

Anthony loved to fly his kite whenever he got a chance. He was so excited because today was the day that his parents promised to take him to the beach (a place where there should be a lot of wind). As the car approached the beach, he looked out the window and watched the numerous kites flying high in the sky. With a great big smile on his face, he throws his kite in the air as he had done many times. He was so surprised when…..his kite fell to the ground like a 50 lb weight. He tried it again only to get the same results. He tried another time and almost ran someone over trying to get his kite to fly like the others. After 20 minutes of this, he was very disappointed and didn’t understand what was going on. Everyone else was able to fly their kite except for him.

While this is a fictitious story, I use it to prove another point about success. A kite by itself cannot perform its desired purpose without wind. Wind is invisible, but it is a powerful force that yields visible results. Soft Skills are intangible skills that you must have if you want to be successful in life. These skills set you apart from everyone else and help to elevate your performance and get you noticed. When you are noticed, opportunities come your way. A lot of people say that want to be successful and want opportunities, but without those soft skills, it can be very challenging to get your dream off the ground.

Soft Skills are to a Dream what Wind is to a Kite

Opportunities to grow and sharpen your Soft Skills are everywhere. School is the primary place where you have the opportunity to learn and grow. Here are some examples of Soft Skills:

• Respect for authority
• Conflict Resolution
• Problem Solving
• Communication
• Adaptability
• Accountability
• Teamwork

Grow and Sharpen your Soft Skills each and every day.

Marvin Byrd (c/o 98)

It Can Be Done