Actionable Life Skills for Teens & Young Adults
By Maya Shine
()
About this ebook
Ready to crush adulting? Unlock the secrets to confidence, success, and independence with essential life skills every teen needs to thrive in the real world. Through engaging stories, thought-provoking questions, and attainable milestones, you'll master key skills, including:
? Self-Care: Build a strong and balanced mind, body, and soul by embracing proper hygiene by embracing proper hygiene and mindfulness practices.
?️ Navigating Summer Jobs: Pave the way towards financial independence by gaining valuable work experience through finding a job or starting a business as an entrepreneur.
? Financial Literacy: Build strong personal finance habits by mastering simple strategies for budgeting, saving, spending money wisely, getting loans, and managing debt.
? Buying Your First Car: Understand buying or leasing a new or used car and explore alternative ways to get around.
? Finding Your First Apartment: Secure your first home by understanding lease agreements, choosing a reliable roommate, and keeping your living space clean and organized.
? Staying Safe: Protect yourself, your finances, and your data from threats by practicing essential physical and online safety habits.
And much more!
What Sets This Book Apart?
? Self-Discovery and Moral Values: Discover who you are and what matters most while creating a realistic path to your dream life.
? An Innovative 5WH² Framework: Discover a strategic and creative process to help you achieve your goals, make better decisions, and solve problems efficiently and effectively.
? A Personalized Learning Experience: Tailor the process to your needs and goals for a personalized learning experience that helps you focus on your unique strengths and challenges.
The future is yours to shape. Get your copy today to start building the life you've always dreamed of!
A Multi-Award-Winning Guide
? Book Excellence Gold Medal
? Gold Medal Winner of the Readers' Favorite International Book Awards
? Literary Titan Gold Book Award
What Readers Are Saying…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The Real Deal"
"I am about to graduate from college, and my mom bought this book for me. I'm not one to leave reviews too often, but this book is the real deal. It provides applicable steps that I will implement into my life moving forward. Love all of the action steps it provides at the end of chapters, and the extra appendices at the end are a nice touch!"—Luna93, USA
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A Game Changer"
"This is a game-changer! The advice is practical, easy to follow, and incredibly empowering. The author breaks down complex financial concepts into manageable steps and offers actionable tips that can be implemented right away. Since reading this book, I feel more confident about my financial future and equipped with the knowledge to make smart decisions. A must-read for any young adult looking to take control of their finances and set themselves up for success!"—Kamaliya B., USA
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A Must-Have for Teens and Parents"
"An invaluable resource that offers a roadmap to adulthood, equipping young adults with essential skills not taught in schools. Its practical advice, real-life examples, and customizable approach genuinely resonate, making complex topics like financial independence and personal growth accessible and engaging. A must-have for teens and parents alike, fostering independence and confidence for life's next steps."—Puravida, USA
Maya Shine
Maya Shine, an award-winning author specializing in literature for teens and young adults, takes great pride in crafting impactful, high-quality, and innovative books. With a unique blend of expertise, personal experience, and a sincere commitment to literary excellence, Maya celebrates her achievements by delivering exceptional narratives, helping young readers become better versions of themselves, and ultimately grow into more fulfilled and responsible adults. Drawing from her background in computer engineering and a master's degree in administration, Maya brings a distinctive blend of skills to her work. Her passion for psychology, science, art, and spirituality enriches her stories, imbuing them with inspiration and enlightenment. As a devoted mother, Maya finds inspiration in her experiences navigating the challenges of adolescence alongside her daughter. Raised by a single mother, Maya's journey has profoundly influenced her writing, which also focuses on empowering young adults facing adversity. Her distinct contribution lies in sharing personal experiences, the insights of inspirational figures, and innovative ideas derived from her exploration of literature and scientific research. Maya's dedication extends beyond individual empowerment; it is rooted in her belief in the collective intelligence and compassion within the global community. She envisions a world where collective efforts contribute to the growth and success of future generations—an evergreen personal growth that transcends boundaries of time and culture for all who engage with her work. Maya's award-winning book transcends mere guidance; it stands as an empowering resource designed to inspire, enlighten, and ultimately help teens and young adults in achieving fulfillment—and in passing the torch to the next generation.
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Actionable Life Skills for Teens & Young Adults - Maya Shine
Copyright © 2023 Maya Shine. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, duplicated, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, information storage & retrieval systems, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the publisher’s prior written permission.
Fair Use. This book contains copyrighted material, and per the principles of Fair Use
as defined under copyright law, limited portions of the copyrighted material may be used for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and certain other noncommercial uses without seeking prior written permission from the publisher. Such uses are considered fair use
and do not infringe upon the copyright holder’s exclusive rights.
Views expressed. The views expressed in this book reflect the author’s opinions at the time of publication and may change over time.
Trademarks. All trademarks, service marks, product names, and company names or logos mentioned in this book are the property of their respective owners. They are used for identification purposes only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation.
DISCLAIMER. This book provides educational and informational content. While every effort has been made to present accurate, up-to-date, and reliable information, under no circumstances is the publisher or author responsible for any losses or damages, direct or indirect, which are incurred as a result of the use of the information contained within this book, including, but not limited to, typographical errors, omissions, or inaccuracies.
Liability limitation. Under no circumstances will any blame or legal responsibility be held against the publisher or author for any damages or losses, including but not limited to direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages, arising from the use of the information contained within this book. The reader acknowledges and agrees to hold the publisher and author harmless from any claims, demands, or actions arising out of or in connection with the use of the information contained
ISBN: 978-1-7382033-5-2 (paperback) ISBN: 978-1-7382033-9-0 (ebook)
ISBN: 978-1-7382033-7-6 (hardcover) ISBN: 978-1-7382033-4-5 (audio book)
Contributors: Thomas Hauck, Hazel Shahgholi, Jeremy Cloud, Red Cloud
Cover design: Massinissa Aberkane
Text layout: Peggy Stockdale
Questions or comments? Contact the publisher at:
kontact@mayashinebooks.com
Dedication
Praise be to God, who blessed me with unexpected gifts, led me through unforeseen paths, and helped me see the light where I could not perceive it.
Maya, your sparkling spirit has been my wonderful source of inspiration. This book is your legacy, a reminder always to shine, no matter the challenges you will face.
My heartfelt thanks to the talented team who helped me take this project to new heights. Alone, we might move faster, but together, we’ve gone even further!
With sincere gratitude,
Maya Shine
A Gift for Parents, Guardians, and Book Club Leaders!
images/nec-217-1.jpg Ready to lead meaningful discussions and actively support your teen or young adult in turning lessons into action?
Whether you’re guiding a one-on-one conversation or leading a group discussion, this guide is designed to enrich their learning experience with your valuable guidance.
images/nec-217-2.jpg Scan the QR code to download your free Book Club Discussion Guide today!
images/img-217-1.jpgContents
Dedication
A Gift for Parents, Guardians, and Book Club Leaders!
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
1 KNOW YOURSELF
The Public Me and the Private Me
Finding Yourself Through Questioning
Growth Mindset Vs. Fixed Mindset
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
TAKE ACTION!
Your Free Self-Discovery Journal
2 SELF-CARE
Your Personal Health
Meditation, Mindfulness, and Restorative Sleep
Presenting Yourself to Other People
Dress Sense
TAKE ACTION!
3 ACE ACADEMICS
Reading: The Fundamental Building Block of Learning
Textbooks, Lectures, and Notes
Conquering Boredom
Academic Ethics
TAKE ACTION!
4 GET A JOB AND EARN WHILE YOU LEARN
The Summer Job
Neurodiversity in the Workplace
My 7 Tips for How to Excel at Your Job!
Become an Entrepreneur
Gig Work
TAKE ACTION!
5 BE THE BOSS OF YOUR CASH
Money Management 101
Budgeting
Income Taxes
TAKE ACTION!
6 COLLEGE COSTS, LOANS, AND CREDIT CARDS
Federal Student Loans: The FAFSA Form
Private Student Loans
TAKE ACTION!
7 YOUR FIRST SET OF WHEELS
Should You Even Buy a Car?
Buying and Operating a Car
Time for Some Tough Love
The Two Keys to Defensive Driving
Two-Wheeled Transportation
TAKE ACTION!
8 GETTING YOUR OWN PLACE
The Roommate from Heaven… Or Not…
Those Empty Rooms Need Furniture and Some Plants!
Home Security
Tidy Up!
TAKE ACTION!
9 FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD!
Explore Your Neighborhood Food Source
Don’t Be Ashamed to Ask For Help
Asking a Professional
Basic Cooking Skills
Unleash Your Inner Chef!
Food Storage and Handling
Save Those Leftovers!
TAKE ACTION!
10 STAYING SAFE
Crime
Cybercrime
TAKE ACTION!
11 SPIRITUALITY AND MORALITY
TAKE ACTION!
IT’S TIME TO HIT THE ROAD!
One Last Thing…
TOP 20 KITCHEN UTENSILS
ASK A TRUSTED ADULT
ACTION PLAN TEMPLATE
Your Free Action Plan Template
Share the Gift of Knowledge
ENDNOTES
Preface
When I was a young adult, I had many questions and very few places to look for answers. So I decided to write this book, because it’s the one I would have wanted and needed.
First, a little bit about me. With a background in computer engineering, a master’s degree in administration, and a couple of certifications in information security, I have spent the past two decades in various roles as a consultant, team leader, and manager. However, my most important role is that of a mother to a daughter on the brink of adolescence—the critical stage of life that you, too, find yourself within.
When I left the safety of my home at 18 to pursue my college education, I was unprepared for the vastness of the world outside. Overwhelmed and often in tears, I quickly realized the lack of fundamental skills necessary to thrive independently. Despite her best efforts, my mother, a strong single parent raising five children, could not provide me with the guidance and preparation I needed to face the real world.
For years, I struggled to find my footing, learning important life lessons through trial and error. It was a challenging journey, but eventually, I found my way. Now, as a mother myself, and a world citizen, I feel the responsibility to equip my daughter—and young adults like you—with the knowledge and skills required for a successful transition into independence and thriving adulthood.
I write this book with special thoughts for young adults who face difficult circumstances, such as being raised by a single parent, growing up without parental figures, facing incarceration, or being neurodivergent. I sincerely wish to inspire hope within you; we can all succeed and thrive despite tribulations in our circumstances.
Why is it important to me to help you achieve your goals? Because we are all part of a global village, and it takes the collective effort of the community to raise exceptional individuals like you! By planting seeds of knowledge, empowerment, and self-sufficiency in the global community, we can shape a brighter future for all. Each positive change we inspire has a ripple effect, impacting lives far beyond our understanding.
What’s in it for you? Save yourself the time and hassle of figuring out everything on your own; spare yourself the hardships of trial and error. Together, we will lay the foundations for your well-being, financial independence, and self-sufficiency, enabling you to take control of your future and thrive.
May this book empower you, guide you, and ultimately help you achieve fulfillment.
Sincerely,
Maya Shine
Introduction
Did you know that according to a recent survey, 81 percent of new college graduates wish they had been taught more life skills before they got their diploma? In particular, they have little knowledge of how to invest, make long-term financial plans, and manage their student loan debt.
How about everyday money management? Many educated young people regret not being taught how to make a simple household budget.¹
Life skills are different from academic knowledge. You can ace every class in high school and college and still not know how to make your own dinner or pay your phone bill. Life skills are just that—the skills you need to be independent and self-sufficient.
Life skills improve your job prospects, too. Employers look for people who have not only relevant experience, but all-round life or soft skills
. A research study revealed that nearly 75 percent of employers say they have difficulty finding graduates with the life skills their companies need.²
Do you feel like you need to learn more life skills so that you can lead an independent life? Are you still living at home and want to support yourself? Or perhaps you’re already on your own and just feel a little overwhelmed. If so, you’ve come to the right place!
The purpose of this book is very simple: to provide you with straightforward, no-nonsense information about the life skills and knowledge you’ll need to live on your own, in a house or apartment, away from the support structure of school or home.
Chances are you’re looking for a job or already have one, and you’re either ready to move into your own place or you already have moved and you’re not sure you’ve got all your bases covered.
You know that mistakes can be costly, and you want to avoid making them!
You may already know some of the information in this book. That’s okay—just go to the parts that are new to you. There’s plenty within these pages to keep you busy.
We begin with the most basic life skill: knowing yourself. Of course, you’re a complicated person and it’s impossible to completely know yourself and what you want! But the better idea you have of who you are, the better your choices will be. Like every chapter, this first one concludes with a short section called Take Action!, which is a checklist of things you can do to help yourself move forward. The idea is that you can always do something to improve your life.
The second life skill is self-care. I mean this not only in the sense of keeping your body clean and healthy, but how to present yourself in public and at work. The rule is to dress appropriately for your job and to make people feel comfortable around you.
Then we tackle the subject of academic excellence. Whether in the classroom or in the real world,
the fundamental skill of learning is reading. If you can read well, you can continue to learn for the rest of your life. My Take Action! tips will help you keep improving yourself and thereby increasing your value in the job marketplace.
The fourth life skill is how to find and get hired for the job you want. This includes beginning with a summer job, understanding tax forms, and dealing with workplace challenges. I’ll also share my 7 Tips for Succeeding at Your Job,
and how to embrace neurodiversity at your place of employment.
Next is money management. I’ll show you how to open a bank account, explore funds transfer apps, use credit cards to your advantage, and create a household budget—even if your household
is just you and your cat! And who could forget income taxes, a fact of life that doesn’t have to be painful.
Number six is all about paying for college. I’ll reveal the ins and outs of the FAFSA form that just about every student and their family submits, and how you can take advantage of grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and federal loans.
The seventh life skill delves into transportation to work, school, and around town. You may take public transportation, ride a bike, walk, hire an Uber, or drive your own car—however you do it, I’ve got you covered!
Then we’ll explore the secrets of getting your own place, which in all likelihood means renting an apartment. Roommate or no roommate? New or used furniture? And how about home security? It’s all here, along with my Take Action! tips to give you specific ideas.
Life skill number nine is all about food. In this chapter we will discuss your experience and confidence in the kitchen and, should you have little of either, I’ll offer some general advice and simple recipes you can learn in a flash. Eating a healthy diet is of course the ideal, but sometimes this ideal is difficult to reach. So we’ll focus on the principle that fed is best, because eating enough of what is available to you is what matters the most.
I’ll show you how to be a smart shopper, share some go-to sources for finding more recipes, and provide a rundown of the basic utensils and tools you’ll need in your kitchen.
If you struggle financially, we’ll also discuss shame-free, state-funded resources available to you for buying food.
Number ten is staying safe in both real and virtual worlds and protecting yourself against financial fraud. The goal isn’t to scare you—no one wants to do that!—but to equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to live a happy and secure life on your own. When you live at home or in a college dorm, you’ve got other people around you, and there may be a security structure (in a college dorm, there should be!) Chance can bring you into many different living dynamics, with different kinds of people. Those who are strangers at first may eventually become friends. And having reliable, kind neighbors can be a boost. But strangers may remain exactly that. So whatever living situation you find yourself in, what is crucial to remember is that you are your priority and your responsibility, and you will need to take care of yourself. The same goes for your finances—you’re earning your own money, have your own bank cards, and you need to know how to keep your cash safe.
Life skill number 11 is spirituality and morality, which go hand in hand to keep you on the right course in life. I’m not going to preach to you, but I can tell you that having a solid foundation in something bigger than yourself—whatever you call it—can help you weather life’s many challenges and give your life greater meaning.
We have much to talk about! Ready? Let’s get started!
1
Know Yourself
I am larger, better than I thought; I did not know I held so much goodness.
All seems beautiful to me.
Whoever denies me, it shall not trouble me: Whoever accepts me, he or she shall be blessed, and shall bless me.
– Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass
When you look in the mirror, whom do you see?
To make providing an answer easy, I’ll give you some prefab choices. Don’t think about it—just choose the one you’re most comfortable with. Or even choose two or three! There are no rules here. No wrong answers.
Okay? Here we go:
When I look in the mirror, I see a person who is….
Confident and has a career goal.
Not sure what I want, but eager to try many different things in life.
Bewildered by the complexity of the world.
Totally dazed and confused.
Not interested in taking a stupid quiz.
Again, there are no correct answers. There’s only you and who you are at this moment. Not last year, or when you were a little kid, or in the future.
Just right now.
I ask you this question because if you’re capable of self-reflection and recognizing the person you are, you’re already halfway to becoming a successful human being. If you know what you want from life—or even what you don’t want—it’s a million times easier to go out and get it, without wasting time.
That’s why your ability to Know Yourself is the very first Actionable Life Skill.
Just for fun, let’s say you know exactly your direction in life. Let’s say you’re like Bill Gates, who has had the same passion since he was around your age. He’s a computer guy. Always has been, always will be. He even dropped out of college (Harvard!) to start his software business (Microsoft) at age 20.³ And he made a ton of money by taking the road less traveled!
If this sounds like you, then I wish you every success. But stay open to new roads! Later in his life, Bill Gates, the computer geek, developed a profound interest in eradicating global infectious diseases.
But if certainty is good, or if you don’t know what you want right now, are you doomed to failure?
Absolutely not!
The world is full of super-successful people who, had they taken my little quiz when they were still in school or just starting out, would happily have chosen D or E. They were not yet ready to say, This is me. This is who I am.
It took them a while. Their path in life was not clear. Well, that’s okay. These people were able to look in the mirror and say, Hello, there. Nice to meet you. I have no idea who you are and what you want.
It’s perfectly alright to be restless and unsatisfied, and to have no clear ideas for your future. Lots of people have felt the same way. But eventually, even the people who have no direction and who don’t know themselves have one thing in common:
They