Essential skills for you

By Simon

Now that you are older, you have realised things have changed. More responsibility is being placed in your hands despite there being some older sisters.

Younger siblings are starting to look up to you for advice, and as a role model, your parents are tasking you with some complex errands. Your greatest wish that they stop treating you like a child has somehow come true.

It feels good to have more responsibility, but something inside makes you feel you can and ought to do more. That something is the voice of the universe preparing you for the life ahead. The life of a man is that of responsibility; not only to your family members, but also to society.

To be effective, there are some essential skills you ought to have to be of assistance in the many situations you will find yourself in.

Take note of and leverage on the skills you already have, but seek more.

Driving and car maintenance

Driving is a critical skill to learn. In our younger days, it was the ultimate prize and we couldn’t wait to get our ID cards to enrol in a driving school. Driving is a position of responsibility and your mum and sisters will always leave the wheel for you. You will enjoy the drive, girls will adore you, and you will feel more relevant with such responsibility up your shoulders.

But it doesn’t end at driving. It is important to learn a few things about basic vehicle maintenance, which include changing tyres (using all jacks), car service, battery maintenance, jump-starting and choking a car.

You also need to learn how to carry out some basic tests when a car stalls in an attempt to identify the problem. Sometimes a car will refuse to start or stall for minor reasons and you will gain a lot of respect and adoration if you sort out someone, even a stranger whose car has stalled.

Handling fatal emergencies

Once in a while, you will come across an incident that requires immediate action. Don’t be another one of the bystanders who just stare timidly, take action. The most essential of these skills is First Aid. In First Aid, you will learn how to secure accident scenes and assist victims. (Secondary accidents are usually fatal).

You will learn how to manage burns and assist people with broken limbs as well as those with medical conditions such as fainting and epilepsy. Take lifesaver lessons because you might save someone important some day. As a matter of fact, lifesaving is also a money-making skill. Those families in the suburbs always want a good guy to be on the lookout when their children are having pool parties.

Basic household maintenance

There are some tools you should not only have, but also learn how to use effectively. These tools include a pair of pliers, a set of screwdrivers (cross and flat), an electric current tester and a water pupillage. With these tools, you can sort out most minor faults in the house, thereby saving your folks some money and the trouble of dealing with fundis.

This doesn’t mean you take it upon yourself to learn all about electricity and water. You just need to learn the basics so that your mum is not always calling a plumber to change a water tap or to fix a burnt out electronic fuses around the house. You will find fulfilment when you feel relevant and useful.

Leadership and guidance

These skills are critical as you grow up into manhood. The skill of leadership is important because there are many people watching what you do and more so, your younger siblings. You should provide good leadership by setting good examples.

This not only applies to your brothers and sisters, but also to your cousins, nephews and nieces. Guide them as they manoeuvre through their teenage years and become a pillar of hope and strength for them.