When we talk about "making it in life," most people immediately think of a university degree or a high-paying job title. Those things are great, but they're the results of success, not the drivers of it.
True, lasting success—in your career, finances, and relationships—is built on a foundation of skills rarely taught in a classroom. These are the essential life subjects that determine your trajectory.
Here are five non-traditional subjects you need to commit to learning if you want to truly thrive.
1. The Subject of Personal Finance
This is, arguably, the most critical subject you can master. Yet, for many, managing money is a source of constant stress and confusion.
Making it in life isn't about how much you earn; it's about how much you keep and how wisely you grow it.
Key Lessons to Master:
* Budgeting vs. Cash Flow: Stop just tracking what you spent. Learn to control your cash flow—where every dollar is going before it leaves your account.
* The Power of Compounding: Understand that your money can work for you. Learn the basics of investing (like index funds) and let time and compounding be your greatest allies.
* Debt Management: Not all debt is created equal. Learn to quickly eliminate high-interest, "bad" debt (like credit cards) and strategically manage low-interest, "good" debt (like mortgages).
2. The Subject of Effective Communication & Negotiation
You could have the greatest idea in the world, but if you can't clearly articulate it, sell it, or defend it, it will go nowhere. Success is a team sport, and communication is the language of the game.
Communication isn't just speaking; it's listening, framing arguments, and understanding what the other person truly needs.
Key Lessons to Master:
* Active Listening: Train yourself to listen to understand, not just to reply. This builds trust and uncovers the real problem you need to solve.
* The Art of the Ask: Learn how to confidently ask for what you deserve—whether it's a raise, a partnership, or a better deal. Negotiation is simply problem-solving under pressure.
* Clarity Over Complexity: Get to the point. Practice writing and speaking in short, clear sentences. Confusing people is a guaranteed way to lose their attention (and their business).
3. The Subject of Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
IQ gets you into college; EQ determines how high you rise in your career and how fulfilling your personal relationships become. Emotional Intelligence is your ability to understand and manage your own emotions, and to recognize and influence the emotions of those around you.
Key Lessons to Master:
* Self-Awareness: Understand your triggers, your strengths, and your weaknesses. If you don't know why you do what you do, you can't change the outcome.
* Empathy: The ability to see a situation from another person's perspective. This is the cornerstone of great leadership, sales, and healthy relationships.
* Stress Management: Learn techniques (meditation, deep breathing, journaling) to regulate your emotional state under pressure. You can't make good decisions when your emotions are running the show.
4. The Subject of Learning How to Learn
The world changes faster every day. The specific technical skills you learn today may be obsolete in five years. The truly successful people aren't the ones who know everything now; they're the ones best equipped to learn the next new thing.
This subject focuses on maximizing your mind's capacity to absorb, apply, and adapt.
Key Lessons to Master:
* The Feynman Technique: Learn by teaching. If you can explain a concept simply to a child, you truly understand it. If you stumble, you know where to go back and study.
* Effective Note-Taking (Not Just Typing): Learn systems like the Cornell method or mind-mapping. When you engage multiple parts of your brain (writing, drawing connections), you improve retention.
* The Feedback Loop: Learn to actively seek constructive criticism. Treat feedback as free advice that shows you the blind spots hindering your growth.
5. The Subject of Boundary Setting
This is the least talked about but most essential subject for maintaining sanity and energy. Boundaries are the rules you set for how others are allowed to treat you and how you spend your time.
Without clear boundaries, you will inevitably burn out, your finances will be strained by others' demands, and your relationships will suffer from resentment.
Key Lessons to Master:
* The Power of "No": Learn to politely but firmly decline requests that do not align with your priorities or goals. Protecting your time is protecting your future.
* Digital Disconnection: Set clear boundaries with technology. Decide when you are available (and when you aren't) to emails and messages. Your attention is your most valuable asset.
* Professional/Personal Lines: Maintain clear separation between work and home. This is especially vital in the remote work era. When you are "off," be truly off.
A university degree gets your foot in the door. Mastering these five subjects—Finance, Communication, EQ, Learning, and Boundaries—is what allows you to build the house.
Commit to becoming a student of life, and you will not only make it, but you will build a life that is truly meaningful and successful in your own terms.
Which of these five subjects do you plan to tackle first in the next 90 days? Let us know in the comments!
