Your most used/useful skill set?

The willingness to learn AND the acceptance of failing... and learning from it. I've learned so much by doing... sailing, woodworking, machine sewing, electronics, home repair, auto repair, etc. Not everything worked perfectly the first time but you stick with it and get better.

AND knowing when to pay a pro to do something... many times it's just not worth it yo spend your time and money to do something that you won't be able to do as well and as quickly as a pro.

 

I’m seeing a theme here. Didn’t expect it and grateful for the reminders. Thanks, all so far!

 

I was going to post this same thing. But my dad would say it as the worst insult of all. He had a few but this one he reserved for us kids when we doing something poorly.

 

If I remember correctly it's one of those phrases that got shortened over time and the original meaning got lost with it.

Originally it was "...master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one."

Meaning there is value to be a generalist over a specialist. I took that philosophy a little too hard. I molded my career in science to be a generalist. It isn't as glamorous as my specialist colleagues, but it sure does make it easier to stay redundant-proof and change directions as the wind blows.

 

As stated my dad used that and "You aren't smart enough to (insert one):
a) Pour piss out of a boot
b) Pull a hair out of a mosquito's ass
c) Know there aren't tits on a bull

I grew up fairly normal.

 

My grandad was full of those. I wish I wrote even half of em down.

"It's colder than a well-digger's ass"
"If he forecasts rain I'd leave my umbrella at home" (full of shit; also side note, one of his very few G-rated sayings)
"Crazier than an outhouse rat"
"That boy's so big he could burn diesel for breakfast."
"Ill let you get on with your rat-killin'."
"Not enough sense to pound sand down a hole / come in out of the rain / piss downwind...." and probably 30 other variants I forgot.

 

Sayings are funny. Insults from your father? Stuff was different back then.
Our skins toughened up. Maybe that was my dad's goal. I didn't treat my girls like that. They came out OK, better fit in today's sensitive world.

 

agreed it can be taken negatively and ive heard a few people use it that way. I have honed a few skills by seeking out projects sort of a hammer looking for a nail type of venture but for plumbing and electrical work its a "i can do it" situation but i dont seek them out to be as proficient as i would think i need to be.

Im a Registered Architect by schooling and private practice so i would say that is more of my wheelhouse of expertise (for the hours i spend at it i should be damn good lol)

 

I posed this question to my friend today and also asked if you could only retain one skill outside of communication ie speaking, reading and writing what would it be? My initial thought was first aid, his was cooking.

As far as skills.

Most useful:

General home and auto repair
Cooking
Basic software/tech design knowledge
First aid knowledge and temperament for it
Personal finance

Things I want to/should improve:

Everything lol
Plumbing
Electrical
Sewing
Public Speaking
Drywall
Swimming
3D modeling
Dancing
Personal finance
Archery

Things I want to learn and haven't tried:

Welding
Paint correction, buffing, polishing etc


Here's an interesting list, these are more specific skills or how-to's. Definitely a few that I have not learned.

https://www.artofmanliness.com/skills/manly-know-how/100-skills-every-man-should-know/

 

I could pick multiple things from each post as it appears a lot of us have hobbies, traits and skills in common. I've always been good with my hands, an analytical thinker and very detail oriented.

I'm still learning and working on the patience thing.

 

Nice list.

I left cooking off mine. It's an art and science and work. But I usually love cooking, except sometimes when it's my turn (we alternate). Seriously if you say you can't cook, you are weak. If just don't want to cook you are lazy. If you don't want to learn to cook you are a dead beat. Everyone can learn to cook. Sure like everything in life some are better at it than others. Anyone posting here, driving a Tacoma can cook some tasty chow.

I know first aid, been certified off and on over the years (CPR as well). I don't do squeamish well watching shows and such, but real life I can and do the right thing.

I still need to get some real design software. The "free" stuff....I can never dedicate myself to it. Money. Time.

OK at public speaking, but I did get choked up at my youngest daughter's wedding. That was very hard and frankly I did not anticipate that emotion properly.

I can sew. A little. Not very good. Need to practice!!

Add: Foreign language abilities. Basic German and Chinese. Decent Spanish, and when immersed for a few hours conversational/technical. Hey, I'm old.

 

I'm skilled in the art of the Google. That's it. That's the only thing I got going for me.

 

the cooking part was funny until i remembered i worked with a girl who said she didnt know how to boil water until college. In boy scouts we were required to cook 2 meals a day for the troop in the out doors. Probably why i enjoy grilling more than cooking inside.

 

I know it's kind of a joke. My SIL was never taught. Brother does all the cooking. Fine, whatever. But I personally think it's weak. More of an excuse sometimes, but not my business. There were times when we both would work late, tired and crabby............still I'm not eating shit food.

 

My most used skill/skill set, I’m trying to figure it out as I go.

 

Try Bing!

 

Those that know, use bing.

 

Slow is Steady and Steady is Fast

 

That’s my biggest struggle in life, lack of patience.