The Skills That Built My Life

TL;DR:
Life doesn’t build itself—you build it, skill by skill. These are the lessons that turned struggle into strength and vision into reality. From writing and leadership to patience and faith, I learned that true growth happens when you keep showing up, even when no one’s watching. Skills fade without practice, but character keeps them alive.

When I look at my life, I see it as a long journey of learning — not in classrooms alone, but in the world itself. From the forests and rivers of my childhood to the cities and screens of today, every season has taught me something new. Some lessons came through hardship, others through quiet reflection, and many through service. Together, they formed the ten skills that built my life.

These are not just skills I use for work. They are living pieces of me — shaped by time, experience, and purpose. They connect my roots in the soil of South Sudan to my reach in the digital world. Each one carries a message for anyone searching for meaning, direction, or rediscovery.

FAQs: The Skills That Built My Life

1. What inspired you to reflect on your life skills?
Because understanding the skills that shaped me helps others see that progress is built, not born.

2. What are the key skills that built your life?
Writing, communication, adaptability, empathy, discipline, and a deep sense of purpose anchored in faith.

3. How did you develop these skills over time?
Through consistent learning, failure, reflection, and a commitment to grow even in uncertain seasons.

4. Why are soft skills as important as technical ones?
Because soft skills shape relationships and mindset—the foundation of lasting success and influence.

5. What advice would you give to others building their own path?
Start with what you have, learn from every challenge, and trust that the right skills will grow as you do.

1. Writing and Storytelling

Writing is more than what I do. It is who I am. When I was young, I used to write stories on old papers and wrappers near the Sobat River. I didn’t realize it then, but I was already shaping my purpose. Today, I write opinion pieces for The Dawn Newspaper, books that teach and heal, and posts that inspire readers on my blog, johnshalom.com.

The power of storytelling is that it turns pain into wisdom. It connects people who might never meet in person. When I write, I try to remind others that life is worth understanding — not just surviving. The benefit to my readers is clarity. Through my words, they find courage, comfort, and direction for their own journeys.

2. Leadership and Empowerment

Leadership begins with self-discovery. I learned that true leadership is not about control but about influence, not about titles but about purpose. Through Panmal Foundation and FEBAC South Sudan, I mentor young people, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders to find their place in the world.

My philosophy, M = {B, D²}, which means Meaning equals Being and Doing, is the foundation of this work. I help others connect who they are with what they do, because once those two align, transformation follows naturally. The benefit is empowerment. People discover that leadership isn’t something given to them — it is something they awaken within.

3. Digital Entrepreneurship and Online Coaching

When I joined Wealthy Affiliate, I thought I was entering the digital world to learn. I didn’t know I would also find my purpose renewed. Today, I help others build websites, grow online businesses, and create content that feels human.

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Digital entrepreneurship is not just about income. It is about impact. I teach others how to use the internet to tell their stories, share their skills, and serve their communities. The benefit is freedom. People learn how to earn honestly, express creatively, and live meaningfully in a digital world that often forgets humanity.

4. IT Services and Technical Support

My hands are not afraid of computers. I install Windows systems, set up software, recover data, remove viruses, and design infographics that simplify complex ideas. For me, technology is not cold or mechanical. It is a living bridge between people and possibility.

When I fix a computer, I am not just repairing a machine. I am restoring someone’s ability to work, learn, and connect. The benefit to clients is peace of mind. They get reliable tools that help them succeed without frustration. Technology should serve people, not the other way around.

5. Language and Communication

I speak and work in English, Nuer, and Dinka. Each language carries a soul, a rhythm, and a history. I offer translation, interpretation, editing, and proofreading, helping people communicate clearly and respectfully across cultures.

Communication is not just about words. It is about heart. The benefit to others is connection. Whether it is a business needing accurate translation or a church wanting to reach a broader audience, I make sure meaning is preserved — not lost in translation.

6. Theology and Spiritual Insight

My journey of faith began long before my theology degree. In my village, elders saw something spiritual in me and treated me with reverence. Later, I studied Theology Proper — the study of God Himself — and trained in Hermeneutics and Homiletics.

I’ve learned that faith and reason are not enemies. They are partners. Through teaching, preaching, and reflection, I help others understand Scripture deeply and apply it wisely. The benefit is spiritual growth. Those I teach learn not only to know God but to live in harmony with His truth.

7. Faith and Holistic Ministry

Faith Evangelical Baptist Church of South Sudan (FEBACSS) taught me that ministry is not just about words. It’s about service. We preach, but we also build. We teach, but we also feed. We pray, but we also act.

Through outreach, peacebuilding, trauma healing, and discipleship, I’ve seen lives change. The benefit is transformation. People discover a faith that works — one that touches the body, the soul, and the spirit.

8. Philosophy and Thought Leadership

Meaning = {Being, Doing²}. This equation is my life’s compass. It tells me that who we are and what we do must be in harmony for life to feel whole. I write, teach, and speak about purpose, resilience, and African wisdom, blending the lessons of my ancestors with the insights of the modern world.

The benefit is perspective. My readers and students learn to see that meaning is not something you chase — it is something you live, one action at a time.

9. Traditional Survival Skills

Before I ever touched a computer, I learned how to live off the land. I hunted animals, trapped birds, and fished with hooks, nets, and handmade tools. These were not hobbies. They were survival. They taught me patience, observation, and respect for life.

These traditional skills remind me that nature is a teacher too. The benefit is resilience. When life gets hard, I draw on those lessons. They remind me that no matter the challenge, there is always a way to adapt and move forward.

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10. Practical Craftsmanship

I know how to make herbal medicine and tea from local plants. I can carve tools from wood, weave nets from threads, and build grass-thatched houses that last through storms. These skills connect me to my ancestors and ground me in the simplicity of creation.

The benefit is inspiration. They remind others that knowledge doesn’t always come from textbooks. It comes from experience, from observation, and from a willingness to learn from life itself.

One Thread That Connects It All

Every one of these skills — from writing and teaching to hunting and building — comes from the same root: purpose. I do not separate my spiritual life from my digital one, or my past from my present. Everything I have learned, I use to help others find meaning in their own lives.

To me, success is not measured by how much we have, but by how much we give through who we are. Each day I wake up asking the same question: how can I use what I know to serve, to build, and to inspire?

That question still drives me today. It is why I write. It is why I teach. It is why I continue learning, even from the quiet whispers of my past.

So, as you read this, I invite you to reflect on your own skills. Some of them may be buried under time, fear, or forgetfulness. But they are still there. They are waiting to serve you — and others.

Take a moment to remember what’s inside you. That’s where your true wealth begins.