When discussing skills, we often distinguish between those we acquire quickly and effortlessly from a young age and those we painstakingly cultivate over time. I firmly believe that most skills fall into the latter category. Only a select few abilities seem naturally intuitive, while the vast majority are nurtured through rigorous practice.

The dilemma often lies in understanding what to practice and how, and, more importantly, maintaining a consistent practice. Reflecting on my efforts to hone certain skills, the attempts rarely go as planned. Out of hundreds of areas I aspire to excel in, I feel like I only succeed in a small fraction.

However, today’s discussion is not about my failed attempts. I want to highlight some abilities that I have found particularly beneficial and continue to improve upon. These aren’t flamboyant skills like hacking or operating machines, but fundamental abilities that help individuals navigate the digital world, especially those who spend a lot of time behind a desk.

I offer this information in the hope that it will also be beneficial to you, as it has been to me. So, let’s dig deeper into the list.

Variable speed playback

Reading goes well beyond what we generally perceive as a source of information. Whether or not we spend a lot of time reading books, we undoubtedly consume large quantities of text ranging from social media posts to regular articles and references. Speed ​​reading is a topic that has received a lot of coverage. I won’t go into detail about the techniques as there are abundant resources online.

I want to highlight the practical benefits of variable speed playback and a few caveats to keep in mind. Speed ​​reading, when done correctly, allows you to quickly navigate large amounts of content. However, this skill is not about constant speed. Similar to the title of a well-known psychology book, “Thinking, Fast and Slow,” reading should also fluctuate between speeds depending on factors such as the type of content, your familiarity with the subject, and writing style. of the author. This flexibility allows you to maximize your reading experience. It facilitates smooth transitions between different paces when moving from an in-depth technology book to a science fiction novel, for example. Remember that the goal is not just to read blindly, but to understand, interpret and savor the experience.

Reading, a somewhat forgotten art in our time, can be rediscovered through a wonderfully relevant book entitled “How to Read a Book”. However, this is a book aimed at practitioners, and I recommend familiarizing yourself with different genres before diving into it. You may want to consider:

  • Monthly magazines of all kinds
  • Fiction novels
  • Short non-fiction books
  • Course or program books

The goal is to have a few representative examples in mind when you start. Once you’ve sampled a few, move on to “How to Read a Book,” viewing it as a step in your skill-building journey. The references you took the time to explore will help you when the book provides examples of do’s and don’ts.

Non-tangible benefits of variable speed playback include:

  • Hover over non-essential parts
  • Dive deeper into intriguing sections at a leisurely pace

The tangible advantage is the saving of time. You avoid wasting time:

  • Read slowly, which can take a while
  • Reading too quickly, which can lead to missing important details or requiring revision of sections.

In the professional sphere, variable speed reading can be a boon for handling heavy email traffic or staying on top of industry trends. In academia, this skill can help students navigate large amounts of course material more efficiently. On a personal level, you can finish the novels you’ve always wanted to read or follow the news more comfortably.

Therefore, perfecting your variable speed reading ability can be incredibly beneficial.

Increased typing speed

As we move to remote learning and work-from-home scenarios, written communication becomes even more vital. Whether it’s responding to work emails, taking class notes, or simply chatting with friends, faster typing speeds can save us time and increase our productivity. This skill is less about your equipment and more about your level of practice. Many will suggest using a mechanical keyboard or other configurations claiming to improve performance. In my experience, I have found that mechanical keyboards are suitable for a specific audience. Despite having a separate keyboard and trackpad setup, I still prefer typing on my MacBook keyboard (after ignoring the controversial keyboards from 2016 to 2019).

The reason improved typing speed can be so transformative is simple: we think much faster than we can type. The more we align these two speeds, the more fluidly we can write our thoughts. Don’t strive to achieve X WPM or Y CPM values, but instead try to comfortably match your typing speed to your thinking speed. Avoid comparing your speed to that of others; it’s not relevant.

There are many typing tutors, such as keybr.com and others, that can help you practice typing. Start by positioning your hands correctly on the keyboard, gradually increase your speed without worrying about spelling, then focus on typing accurately without looking at the keyboard. Eventually, you should be able to type without needing to look at the screen or keyboard. Although it’s best to use both hands, you should be comfortable enough to continue typing with one hand if necessary.

Sustained concentration

In the digital age, one vital skill that has been eroded by social media is our ability to sustain focus. In the hustle and bustle of the digital world, our attention is constantly being pulled in millions of directions. This fragmentation of attention can have a negative impact on our productivity and mental health. Therefore, cultivating the ability to sustain concentration has become increasingly important. I remember when putting together a puzzle or reading a novel in one sitting was the norm. These days, completing a 50+ piece puzzle in one go or finishing a novel in one go are considered impressive feats.

However, nurturing our focus is a crucial skill. How you achieve this is up to you. For some, meditation helps; for others, restricting access to distracting apps works. From using the Pomodoro technique (setting a timer for 20-minute intervals) to practicing meditation, you can explore what works best for you. If distractions are overwhelming and unmanageable, take advantage of technology solutions.

I use origin of the blockage, Pick up, Link disabledAnd SocialFixer to limit my consumption of social networks. My Default DNS blocks Instagram and Facebook, forcing me to manually change DNS settings to access them. Identify distractions and systematically eliminate them. Personally, I prefer to take it all at once, block out distractions and work to function without them. There are some things I can’t live without, but I keep trying, hoping to one day banish these focus stealers from my life.

Critical thinking and problem solving

With a deluge of information at our disposal, the ability to critically evaluate and use that information to solve problems is essential. This critical thinking and problem-solving ability transforms raw data into valuable information. In the professional field, this skill can help you solve problems, innovate and make informed decisions. In academia, this is integral to understanding complex concepts, engaging in research, and fostering a deep learning experience. On a personal level, it is invaluable for making informed decisions and solving everyday problems.

The first three entries will help you focus better, leading to faster reading and more efficient jotting down of thoughts. These improvements pave the way for critical thinking and problem-solving skills. We troubleshoot daily. Technology is an ever-changing field, and no one knows even half of it. Everyone is constantly learning and updating their skills. The ability to understand, assimilate and use acquired knowledge is as essential to our survival as water.

Sometimes the answer to problems is just a click away or using a specific keyword. This could mean spending more time reviewing code or chatting with a rubber ducky. Improved concentration will help you here. Better reading and typing will facilitate the accumulation of knowledge, essential for critical thinking and problem solving. It is crucial to persevere in difficult situations.

Contrary to my advice about focusing, if you find yourself stuck on a problem for a long time, take a break. This helps clear mental fog and refocus. Start from scratch if necessary – you never really start from scratch because you bring wisdom from your past attempts.

With that, I conclude the article on a simpler note that these skills have helped you immensely and I hope you find them useful as well. Also remember that this is a journey of continuous growth and the goal is to be better than we were yesterday. It takes time and patience to perfect these skills, but I guarantee they are worth every ounce of effort. These are basic skills and will be useful throughout the base.



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