Just like becoming proficient at playing an instrument or sport requires practice, so too does developing the skills to overcome life's obstacles. That's the big idea in the first lesson in a life skills course. To begin, participants identify common life obstacles. They then examine the Table of Contents for the course that lists the skills they will learn. After examining a daily activity sheet for a character and considering the kind of skills the character needs to be successful, they create their daily schedule. They list the skills they will need now and in their future careers.