What Counts as a Skill?
Spoiler: More than you think
We live in a world that loves credentials.
Diplomas on the wall. Job titles in bold. Certifications with acronyms no one outside the field understands. If it doesn’t come with a seal, a signature, or a six-figure loan attached, it’s easy to feel like it doesn’t count.
But here’s the truth: skills don’t need paperwork to be real.
🎭 Let’s Play a Game
Think of something you’re really good at.
Maybe it’s organizing chaotic group chats.
Maybe it’s crafting deeply thoughtful gifts.
Maybe it’s running events for your kid’s school… or your guild… or your LARPing community.
Maybe you just get people. Or you’re a spreadsheet sorcerer. Or a story whisperer.
Now ask yourself: Have I ever listed this on a résumé?
If the answer is no, I want you to pause—not because you’re wrong, but because you’ve likely been conditioned to filter out entire parts of your life as “nonprofessional.”
And that’s the myth we’re here to bust.
🔍 So, What Is a Skill?
A skill is a repeatable ability—something you can do, reliably that produces a result.
That’s it.
Not something you were paid for. Not something you were formally trained in. Not something you learned the “right” way. Just something you do, and do well.
🛠️ Everyday Skills That Absolutely Count
Let’s break this down into real-life examples.
If you’ve ever run a D&D campaign, you’ve used project management, leadership, and creative problem-solving. If you’ve raised kids or cared for others, you’ve managed conflict, adapted under pressure, and handled emotional regulation like a champ.
Cosplayers, crafters, and makers? You’re juggling deadlines, design skills, and iteration under constraints.
Ever volunteered at an event? You’ve practiced communication strategy, budgeting, and vendor coordination.
Fanfiction writers develop story structure, editing finesse, and character psychology. Gamers master team dynamics, pattern recognition, and high-speed decision-making.
If someone else has ever asked, “How do you do that?” — that’s a skill.
💡 But… What About “Soft Skills”?
Let’s throw that whole “soft skills” label out the window. They’re not soft. They’re critical.
Skills like:
Communicating clearly
Reading a room
Keeping your cool when plans fall apart
Turning vague ideas into actionable steps
These aren’t fluff. They’re the glue that makes teams work and projects succeed.
🧩 Why This Matters
When you start acknowledging your real skills—without waiting for permission—you start rewriting the story you’ve been told about yourself. You stop saying “I’m just…” And you start saying, “I bring…”
That’s not fluff. That’s foundation.
✍️ Try This: A Skill-Spotting Challenge
Pick a regular part of your life (a hobby, a volunteer role, a family responsibility).
List three things you consistently do in that context.
For each one, ask: What skill am I using here?
You don’t need a degree in it. You don’t need a fancy job title. You just need to see it clearly.
🔑 Final Thought
The world has trained you to understate your value. Let this be the space where you reclaim it. Because you already have the key. Let’s figure out where it fits.
