5 Skills Every Woman Should Learn

Being raised by two military parents, if there was one thing that they taught me, it was to be utterly self-reliant, though, their interpretation of what self-reliant was interesting to say the least! My mother never wanted me to expect a man to do anything other than treat me with the utmost respect, and to love me with anything he had in him. My father took a different approach. He told me that most men weren't to be trusted, their intentions were never good, and that no man would ever be good enough for me (typical dad). My father, of course was none of those things. He was a proud soldier and loving father, and like every daughter, I only took half of what he said to heart! But through the fog of their well-intentioned advice, what they did teach me was that there are certain skills in life a girl just can't live without!

1) Learn how to change your own tires. This is the twenty-first century ladies, and there is absolutely no reason why we still need to be calling someone to come change our tires for us. This is a skill that really isn't one that only women should possess, men should too! We live in an age where we can just pick up the phone and poof! Someone magically appears to solve our problems. Get out the tire iron, drag out the jack, roll out the the spare and watch this video! 

2) Learn to cook for yourself. This doesn't mean you have to go learn how to become a chef or anything, but you should learn how to do more than boil and egg or make toast. My mom had me in the kitchen helping her make dinner when I was nine, and I thank her every day for teaching me all the basics. Sure, you can eat out, but cooking for yourself is way better for your waistline! 

3) Learn the art of storytelling. This is a useful skill in both your personal and professional life. A good story captivates people and draws them to you. It'll get you out of the odd jam, and you'll leave people wanting more. 

4) Keep your first aid training current.  This is a skill that absolutely everyone should possess, but it seems that less and less women feel the need to get the proper training. Not only is it important to be able to save someone's life, it actually makes you worth more to your employer. Get your first aid training, and keep it current! 

5) Travel Light! Now stop rolling your eyes, this can definitely can be done. It is not necessary to bring everything and the kitchen sink along with you in your bag. Several millennia ago, humans travelled with only what they could carry on their backs. Nowadays, women bring entire make-up shops with them. It's time to learn the art of travelling light, and remember, the more you bring, the more you risk losing. 

7 Random Things That Make Life a Little Sweeter

There is no finite formula that to allows us to be successful in life. Everyone measures success in different ways, and has a different opinion on how to achieve it. For some, success is home ownership, or attaining that dream job, whereas for others it could be experiencing motherhood, or traveling the world. But we can all learn something from each other's successes and failures, and we call use a tip or two to keep us positive, keep us productive and most importantly, to remind us of all the little successes we achieve along the way.

1) Post up your progress. I am a list-maker. I realize that many of you may scoff at the idea of making endless lists, but it can be quite an effective tool to getting things done. When I began researching top online schools to allow me to finish my degree, I posted up a list of questions and requirements that I needed from my perspective school on the wall beside my computer, and as I crossed the items off on the list, I felt steps closer to completing my degree.

2) Give yourself no more than 5 minutes each day to clearing out your inbox! Don't spend hours on end sorting through crap, and don't let it pile up! Messy inbox, messy life. You have folders, use them! Organize your contacts accordingly, and return emails promptly.

3) Leave work at work. I'm sure you've heard this a thousand times, but bringing work home with you is so toxic for so many reasons. It never gives you time to enjoy life at home, nor does it ever give you a chance to enjoy your work if that's all you do.

4) Stop drinking bottled water. C'mon now, unless you're living somewhere in a developing country, most North Americans have access to clean drinking water. If choose to buy bottled water, you are simply putting more harmful plastic into our brimming landfills, costing yourself money you needn't spend, and putting harmful chemicals into your body.

5) Eat Slower. Not only is eating slower good for your health, but enjoying a meal at a slower pace helps you relax. North Americans need to take a few tips from the Europeans!

6) Have regular brainstorming sessions. Ideas are the seeds of greatness, and every now and then, putting your swimming thoughts onto paper, somehow legitimizes them, and gives them life. The world's most splendid inventions all began with an idea.

7) Get up early. Yes, yes, we all know, you should try and get at least eight hours of sleep per night, but that doesn't mean you should be getting fifteen hours on the weekend! We're only on Earth for so long, so why waste it sleeping? North American's are some the laziest people on the planet! We spend more time on our behinds, than on our feet, it's time to seize the day and get moving!