Brain Food Wednesdays: Skills to Develop in 2023 for Personal Growth and Development

​

​

Dear Reader,

In this week’s newsletter, the 157th issue, I’m writing about skills to develop in 2023 that will allow you to grow personally and professionally. To come up with these skills, I looked at Patrick Jane, the protagonist of The Mentalist, to uncover skills that made him successful.
​

Mastering these skills will help you in sales conversations and negotiations. Any skill that will allow you to read body language is a skill worth developing.

Ask Avil

​

Skills to Develop in 2023 for Personal Growth and Development

​

Are you ready to take on the new year and develop some practical skills? Whether you’re looking to improve your leadership, communication, active learning and listening, or observation skills, there are some perfect books for you. I’ll share some top picks for the best books to read in 2023. Some of these books are on my reading list for 2023. They will help you develop your practical skills and become a better leader.

Listening skills:
​

Good listening skills involve paying attention to the speaker, maintaining eye contact, and avoiding distractions. To develop your listening skills, try to focus on the speaker and what they are saying. Take notes if it helps you concentrate and avoid interrupting or jumping to conclusions.

It can also be helpful to practice active listening, which involves acknowledging what the speaker is saying and asking clarifying questions. A book that may be helpful for listening skills:
​

• The Lost Art of Listening: How Learning to Listen Can Improve Relationships by Michael P. Nichols and Martha B. Strauss

Observation skills:
​

Being able to observe and pay attention to detail is an important skill in many fields, from design and art to science and research. To develop your observation skills, try to focus on your surroundings and practice describing what you see in as much detail as possible. A great book to read on this topic:
​

• Slow Looking: The Art and Practice of Learning Through Observation by Shari Tishman

Memory skills:
​

Memory skills are important for retaining and recalling information, whether for a test or in everyday life. To improve your memory, try techniques such as mnemonic devices, visualization, and spaced repetition. “Moonwalking with Einstein” by Joshua Foer is a great book that delves into the science of memory and offers practical tips for improving your memory.
​

Effective reading and learning skills:
​

Being able to read and learn efficiently is crucial for personal and professional development. To develop these skills, try techniques such as skimming, highlighting, and taking notes as you read. Another effective reading strategy is leadership reading, which is reading to learn what you need to know. Great resources for learning how to read and learn new information.
​

• The Lifetime Learner’s Guide to Reading and Learning by Gary Hoover
• The Ultimate Book of Mind Maps by Tony Buzan
  ​

Reading body language:
​

Being able to read and interpret nonverbal cues is an important skill for communication and social interactions. To develop this skill, try paying attention to the body language of others and practice interpreting what it might mean. “The Definitive Book of Body Language” by Allan and Barbara Pease is a comprehensive guide to understanding and interpreting body language.

Time management:
​

Being able to manage your time and prioritize tasks is essential for success. To improve your time management skills, try techniques such as setting goals, creating to-do lists, and using calendars and scheduling tools. Books offering guidance for improving time management and personal effectiveness include:
​

• Mind Management, Not Time Management: Productivity When Creativity Matters by David Kadavy
• Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen and James Fallows

Communication skills:
​

Effective communication is key for building and maintaining relationships, whether in your personal life or at work. To develop your communication skills, try practicing active listening, being clear and concise in your language, and using nonverbal cues. Great resources for learning how to communicate effectively in high-stakes situations include:
​

• Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High, Third Edition Kindle Edition by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson et al.
• How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere: The Secrets of Good Communication by Larry King and Bill Gilbert
• The Art of Conscious Conversations: Transforming How We Talk, Listen, and Interact by Chuck Wisner

Problem-solving skills:
​

The ability to think critically and solve problems is a valuable skill in many fields. To improve your problem-solving skills, try breaking problems down into smaller pieces, considering different approaches and viewpoints, and seeking resources and guidance as needed. Great books for learning about how your brain processes information and how you can use this knowledge to solve problems more effectively include:
​

• The MacGyver Secret: Connect to Your Inner MacGyver & Solve Anything by Lee David Zlotoff and Colleen Seifert
• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Creativity:
​

Creativity is an important skill for coming up with new ideas and finding solutions to problems. To boost your creativity, try techniques such as brainstorming, freewriting, and seeking new experiences and perspectives. “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield is a helpful resource for overcoming creative blocks and nurturing your creative side.
​

• Creativity Rules: Get Ideas Out of Your Head and into the World by Tina Seelig
• The War of Art by Steven Pressfield and Shawn Coyne
  ​

Leadership:
​

Leadership involves the ability to inspire and guide others towards a shared goal. To develop your leadership skills, try seeking leadership opportunities, learning from mentors and role models, and practicing effective communication and collaboration. “The Leadership Challenge” by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner is a great book for learning about the skills and qualities of effective leaders.
​

• The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner
  ​

As you can see, there are many practical skills that you can focus on developing in 2023. By choosing a few areas to focus on and seeking resources and guidance, you can continue to grow and improve as an individual.

The Art of Learning Leadership Academy is the perfect way to become a leader in your field. Whether you are just starting out or have been leading teams for years, our membership site offers a unique learning experience to hone your skills and refine your craft. As one of the founding members, you’ll have access to exclusive content at an introductory price before we open it up to the public.​
​

​Art of Learning Leadership Academy Membership Site​

Until Next Week,

Avil Beckford, Founder, The Invisible Mentor

​theinvisiblementor.com

​LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Facebook​

​
​

​

​