The best skill you've ever learned

[Coffeeismylife]

I was thinking about this today..... Have narrowed it down to:

1. Learning to read
2. Learning to drive

I'd love to learn something new, or have a new hobby. Would love to hear other people's thoughts!

First aid
Active listening
Mindfulness meditation
Budgeting
Cooking from scratch
Identifying birds, plants and trees

Learning to read, do mental arithmetic, drive, and actively listen all valuable skills for me. But the skill I learnt fairly recently which has had quite a remarkable affect on me is being able to practice Mindfulness. Really a game changer.

I can fix and service my own car. I’m multilingual. I taught myself to speed read. Personal fitness. “Krav Maga” , self defence. Time management and communication skills, essential in my job. And golf, I surprise a lot of people at just how good I am. I also have another skill that I perfected as a teenager but I’ll keep that to myself 🤭

Cooking basic meals.
Speaking a foreign language.
Cleaning more efficiently.
Observational skills.
Writing clearly and concisely.
To do: assertiveness course.

Juggling
Robotic dancing

Touch typing (fast)

Oh and how to fit glasses .

Policing is the least useful but pays alright

Sign language
Speaking French and Spanish
Playing piano and guitar
Meditation
Having ‘awkward’ conversations but feeling no awkwardness
Not worrying what others think of me

All have brought really good things to my life.

My brain seems to function differently to most people, so I see things from a different point of view.

I don't know if it is a skill as such. One early example I was about 5 or 6 watching a neighbour fit a hall carpet I made the suggestion it would be easier if he came out of the house and straightened the carpet rather than trying to do it from inside.

My parents were involved in a disability support group, the group put together a course for taxi drivers to explain how to help people into out of cars, asking about changes that sort of thing.

Only one taxi company went their drivers and they were struggling to get other drivers. I said call the local paper, tell them which company has done the course and recommend disabled people only use drivers who have done the course.

To forgive myself for things and not give myself a hard time.

Pat my head while doing a circular motion with my other hand over my tummy. I can also walk and chew gum at the same time.

There is no beginning to my talents.

How do you learn that? I'm terrified of confrontation, even with children!

Learning to skydive and scuba dive are mine.

Learning to read, drive and swim are good ones. I'd add learning to speak fluent French. As a result of that I've lived in two different countries and it has opened up a number of professional opportunities I wouldn't otherwise have had.

"How to talk so kids will listen" is a brilliant (old) book- taught me skills for managing confrontation with children (of all ages right up to their 50s and 60s 😊).

I want to learn to lipread? Any tips?

I definitely agree with learning to read.

Decorating, I used to help my dad's mate at weekends and holidays, from the age of 14. Apart from it paying me for a few years, it now saves me a fortune.

Passing my motorbike test. And managing 30 years without killing myself... I love it, although I rarely ride in the depths of winter. My daughter likes going out on it, especially if we see any of her friends, as it gives her Cool Points.

Heimlich manoeuver, proved very useful twice. Basic hairdressing and barbering.

Learning to truly be myself and let people meet the real me. Ironically, I'm much better liked for who I actually am than who I pretended to be.

Thanks so much for all the input.
Ive learned lots over the years... But definitely not learned to skill level.

But thought of another skill..... Pizza dough from scratch. It's saved us a fortune in takeaways as DH & DC are convinced mine are nicer. And they are

Learning to read, swim, cycle, drive, type, cook, bring up a child solo and travelling solo.

Learning how to care for sheep ! this year I started my own little flock. 12 months ago I knew nothing and in just a few months I will be lambing my own.

Would love to learn to swim !

something I learnt during in psychotherapy training if you are stuck with how a situation is making you feel or unsure about someone or worried about someone think about the situation/the person and what is the first word or phrase that comes to mind and work from there. It shall make more sense if you try it out and you have to trust yourself with the answer you are getting

How to be independent it was drilled into us as children never ever totally rely on a man

Data filtering and retrieval skills aka epic googling and online digging. Has saved me hours, thousands, and saved me from being had many times.

Learning how to argue my points and construct a good argument, learning to be sure of my thinking and trust my own reasoning.

Aside from that, basic DIY skills and a willingness to try any minor mechanical and household repairs.

Touch typing is in the third division for me 😅

Storytelling
Joke telling
Typing
Cutting my own hair
Cooking
Applying makeup
Sewing
Knowing what mushrooms are safe to eat

Interesting question. So often we focus on the skills we lack..

@sickofturkey now that is impressive!