Remember those times when your mother gave you a life lesson disguised as everyday advice? "Eat your vegetables and you will grow up big and strong," she would say. But between the lines, she actually taught you much more. She gave you a toolkit of soft skills that you now use every day. So let's take a moment to reflect on those priceless lessons and examine the top five soft skills you learned from your mother.

Patience

My mother was the epitome of patience. You remember the incessant questions you subjected her to, right? "Why is the sky blue, mum? Why can't I have sweets for dinner?" Yet she never snapped, she always found the stamina to answer calmly and logically. The ability to remain patient even when pushed to the limit is perhaps one of the most crucial skills my mother taught me. This ability not only saves you from hasty, regrettable responses, but also helps you better appreciate the journey rather than the destination. During meetings, negotiations or brainstorming sessions, your unflappable patience can mean the difference between success and failure, harmony and disagreement.

Resourcefulness

You must have noticed that your mother always seemed to have an answer or could find a solution to everything, no matter the problem? That's called resourcefulness and guess what - you have it too. She instilled in you the ability to think and find a way out, even if you are stuck between a rock and a hard place. The habit of turning obstacles into opportunities came naturally through all those years of learning from your mother. Whether it's a surprising challenge at work or an unexpected roadblock in your personal life, her resourcefulness will shine through in your response.

Emotional intelligence

I remember well how my mother used to sense exactly when something was wrong. She had that sixth sense, you know? And guess what? You have that too. Without you realising it, she taught you to understand the nuances of human emotions. So the next time you walk into a tricky meeting and sense the mood perfectly, you'll know who to turn to for a thank you.

Resilience

Remember that time you fell off your bike and your mother not only helped you get up but encouraged you to get back on that bike? That was resilience in action. She taught you that failure is not the end of the world, but an opportunity to learn and grow. So the next time life throws something unexpected at you, remember that day and spring back.

Time-management

My mother was a true juggler when it came to managing her time. She could cook, clean, work and raise us, all without breaking a sweat. That multitasking genius? You have that too. She taught you the value of planning and how to use your time effectively. And let's face it, that skill comes in handy every day.

Empathy

My mother was always the one who offered a listening ear, not just to me but to everyone. She taught me that empathy is not only about understanding someone's feelings, but also about showing genuine interest and care. That small but powerful lesson has helped me in both my personal and professional relationships.

Adaptability

My mother had a mantra: "In everything bad, there is also something good." She was a master at adapting to new situations, and she passed that on to me as well. Whether it is a move, a new job or an unexpected pandemic, adaptability is the key to surviving and thriving.

Teamwork

Last, but certainly not least, mother taught us about teamwork. Remember how she encouraged us to clean the house together, or how she involved everyone in preparing meals? All this was her subtle way of telling us, "together we can achieve anything". She understood the power of collective effort and now you understand it too. Whether at work, with friends or family, her lesson of unity and cooperation you apply every day.

Now let's have fun with it. Which of these skills do you use to deal with daily challenges? Is it her endless patience, her resourceful ingenuity or perhaps her team spirit that has shaped you into the person you tirelessly strive to become? It might be interesting to reflect on this and consider what skills you pass on - consciously or unconsciously?