Your top ten essential skills.

brianlux · May 2017

What do you consider to be the ten most important skills you know or want to know how to perform? These can be survival skill, interpersonal skills, household skills, any others you find are important and any combination... but just your top ten!

Here's my list:

1. Knowing where to find potable water.
2. Building a fire with only a knife, wet wood and a match.
3. Know how to perform basic first aid (CPR, Heimlich maneuver, stopping bleeding, making a splint, and treating shock).
4. Be able to construct an emergency shelter in the outdoors.
5. Be able to swim.
6. Change a car tire and make basic repairs to an automobile.
7. Know how to procure and prepare food including identifying edible wild plants.
8. Know how to navigate with map and compass.
9. Be able to defuse an argument and if necessary, practice self-defense.
10. Know how to care for vinyl records and operate a record player.

I can do all of these but admittedly am a bit weak in a few (but no problem with #10!)

rgambs · May 2017

I feel like I lump almost all of those into one lol
Know how to be a good Scout...
Boy Scouts taught me all of that and much more by the age of 12 or 13. I was fortunate to have my own superb father as our Scoutmaster, so we had a top notch Troop in every way. We didn't waste our time making key fobs, we were camping and working on survival skills all year long. He kept ot super low key on the Christianity, emphasising Native American culture instead, and there was no worry of hanky panky trouble, he was always there to make sure everyone was safe. Great times. Don't know if I will Scout with my boy, I'd like to do all the same stuff without joining an organisation, but having plenty of other kids around is important to keeping a 10 year old engaged in a pursuit which features no-fun chores like clearing brush, digging ditches, and hiking for hours in the heat and cold.

My list:
1. Know how to Scout. This includes all survival skills, first aid, and emergency preparedness.

2. Know how to farm. Basic knowledge on growing seasons, plant habits, animal husbandry, and preserving foods.

3. Engine repair and mechanical skills.
I have none, I am woefully under skilled in this area.

4. Know how to cook. Well.

5. Know blank verse when you see it.

6. Learn an instrument good enough to pass the time.

7. Know when to shut your mouth. That one is a constant battle.

8. Learn how to cope with negative emotions and practice actually doing so.

9. Learn how to find your limits, and then how to push past them.

10. "Be able to defuse an argument and if necessary, practice self-defense.". Couldn't have said it better Brian.

hedonist · May 2017

- to know when I don't know shit
- to get the god's serenity prayer (even if not one of faith; the principles apply)
- apologize when I'm in the wrong
- forgive
- and, perhaps ironically, release anger when needed
- excel in a "vocation" - as gambo said, farming. Also become skillful in carpentry, metalwork, plumbing
- listen
- find time every fucking day to have "me" time; to reflect
- demonstrate love for those precious in our lives - and say it, too
- recognize and deal accordingly with poisonous snakes...and people

Shitload more!

rgambs · May 2017

"Shitload more!"

No doubt! That's why I cheated and rolled a bunch into one lol

Wobbie · May 2017

brianlux said:

What do you consider to be the ten most important skills you know or want to know how to perform? These can be survival skill, interpersonal skills, household skills, any others you find are important and any combination... but just your top ten!

Here's my list:

1. Knowing where to find potable water.
2. Building a fire with only a knife, wet wood and a match.
3. Know how to perform basic first aid (CPR, Heimlich maneuver, stopping bleeding, making a splint, and treating shock).
4. Be able to construct an emergency shelter in the outdoors.
5. Be able to swim.
6. Change a car tire and make basic repairs to an automobile.
7. Know how to procure and prepare food including identifying edible wild plants.
8. Know how to navigate with map and compass.
9. Be able to defuse an argument and if necessary, practice self-defense.
10. Know how to care for vinyl records and operate a record player.

I can do all of these but admittedly am a bit weak in a few (but no problem with #10!)

Of Brian's, I can do #3, maybe 4, 5, 6 and 10.

I'm a real carpenter and a bit of a plumber, but I'm not sure how "essential" those skills are.

brianlux · May 2017

rgambs said:

I feel like I lump almost all of those into one lol
Know how to be a good Scout...
Boy Scouts taught me all of that and much more by the age of 12 or 13. I was fortunate to have my own superb father as our Scoutmaster, so we had a top notch Troop in every way. We didn't waste our time making key fobs, we were camping and working on survival skills all year long. He kept ot super low key on the Christianity, emphasising Native American culture instead, and there was no worry of hanky panky trouble, he was always there to make sure everyone was safe. Great times. Don't know if I will Scout with my boy, I'd like to do all the same stuff without joining an organisation, but having plenty of other kids around is important to keeping a 10 year old engaged in a pursuit which features no-fun chores like clearing brush, digging ditches, and hiking for hours in the heat and cold.

My list:
1. Know how to Scout. This includes all survival skills, first aid, and emergency preparedness.

2. Know how to farm. Basic knowledge on growing seasons, plant habits, animal husbandry, and preserving foods.

3. Engine repair and mechanical skills.
I have none, I am woefully under skilled in this area.

4. Know how to cook. Well.

5. Know blank verse when you see it.

6. Learn an instrument good enough to pass the time.

7. Know when to shut your mouth. That one is a constant battle.

8. Learn how to cope with negative emotions and practice actually doing so.

9. Learn how to find your limits, and then how to push past them.

10. "Be able to defuse an argument and if necessary, practice self-defense.". Couldn't have said it better Brian.

I like your list! And, yes, Gambs, Boy Scouts was a great learning experience for me as well. I learned a lot of practical skills in the scouts. Sorry to say I also learned a few not so useful skills like how to get covered head to toe with poison oak from playing combat games in the bushes at night and how to conceal smoking a cigarette by sitting close to a campfire with cig cupped in hand and blowing smoke into the fire. But I guess that's all part of the adventure too, haha! Seriously thought, scouting was great.

whispering hands · May 2017

10 -1 in order of least to most important.( 10 least,1most)
10. Peace.
9. The ability to change for the better when given the opportunity in life to do so.
8. A confidence in what you believe in in
life, but always maintaining an open heart, and mind to new things.
7. Hope that is unexplainable; resonates, in and touches other people's lives.
6. Humility in all things.
5. A healthy understanding of how things work, and how to use that knowledge effectively.
4. A respect and generosity than spans species.
3. The ability to communicate effectively and in a way that offers, AND deserves respect.
2. A working knowledge of how to manage your life in a manner that creates a feeling of self worth.
1. Being aware of your surroundings, and knowing a general emergency plan at all times, to the best of knowledge.

I believe that if you do these things, starting with 10. And working your way to 1... you will have a successful life. Yes.. I am still working on them.. as are we all hopefully.

whispering hands · May 2017

I love how everyone has such a different idea of the essentials of their lives. :bring_it:
keep em' coming.

Wobbie · May 2017

tree is so cool.

brianlux · May 2017

hedonist said:

- to know when I don't know shit
- to get the god's serenity prayer (even if not one of faith; the principles apply)
- apologize when I'm in the wrong
- forgive
- and, perhaps ironically, release anger when needed
- excel in a "vocation" - as gambo said, farming. Also become skillful in carpentry, metalwork, plumbing
- listen
- find time every fucking day to have "me" time; to reflect
- demonstrate love for those precious in our lives - and say it, too
- recognize and deal accordingly with poisonous snakes...and people

Shitload more!

whispering hands said:

10 -1 in order of least to most important.( 10 least,1most)
10. Peace.
9. The ability to change for the better when given the opportunity in life to do so.
8. A confidence in what you believe in in
life, but always maintaining an open heart, and mind to new things.
7. Hope that is unexplainable; resonates, in and touches other people's lives.
6. Humility in all things.
5. A healthy understanding of how things work, and how to use that knowledge effectively.
4. A respect and generosity than spans species.
3. The ability to communicate effectively and in a way that offers, AND deserves respect.
2. A working knowledge of how to manage your life in a manner that creates a feeling of self worth.
1. Being aware of your surroundings, and knowing a general emergency plan at all times, to the best of knowledge.

I believe that if you do these things, starting with 10. And working your way to 1... you will have a successful life. Yes.. I am still working on them.. as are we all hopefully.

These are both wonderful and go beyond the pragmatic to the heart and soul of things. Thanks for inspiration, both of you.

RogueStoner · May 2017

Wobbie said:

tree is so cool.

+1

whispering hands · May 2017

brianlux said:

hedonist said:

- to know when I don't know shit
- to get the god's serenity prayer (even if not one of faith; the principles apply)
- apologize when I'm in the wrong
- forgive
- and, perhaps ironically, release anger when needed
- excel in a "vocation" - as gambo said, farming. Also become skillful in carpentry, metalwork, plumbing
- listen
- find time every fucking day to have "me" time; to reflect
- demonstrate love for those precious in our lives - and say it, too
- recognize and deal accordingly with poisonous snakes...and people

Shitload more!

whispering hands said:

10 -1 in order of least to most important.( 10 least,1most)
10. Peace.
9. The ability to change for the better when given the opportunity in life to do so.
8. A confidence in what you believe in in
life, but always maintaining an open heart, and mind to new things.
7. Hope that is unexplainable; resonates, in and touches other people's lives.
6. Humility in all things.
5. A healthy understanding of how things work, and how to use that knowledge effectively.
4. A respect and generosity than spans species.
3. The ability to communicate effectively and in a way that offers, AND deserves respect.
2. A working knowledge of how to manage your life in a manner that creates a feeling of self worth.
1. Being aware of your surroundings, and knowing a general emergency plan at all times, to the best of knowledge.

I believe that if you do these things, starting with 10. And working your way to 1... you will have a successful life. Yes.. I am still working on them.. as are we all hopefully.

These are both wonderful and go beyond the pragmatic to the heart and soul of things. Thanks for inspiration, both of you.

This was such a neat exercise, that made me think, and brought out a life plan that is important to me. I admit I suck at #2, #6, #4, and #8. But such is the beauty of life; ever changing, thus always allowing for change in our lives as well.

PJSiren · May 2017

These are in no particular order, as my mind doesn't work that way...it's like a Pachinko machine in there...

1. How to express myself (with words)in a way that people can understand and respect.
2. Art/Writing...because if I can't express myself creatively, I'd explode.
3. How to grocery shop for healthy foods and cook what I buy...even though I don't like cooking.
4. Listening skills, because sometimes people just need someone to listen.
5. People skills, I'm good at communicating with people and helping them, I think this is important for everyone.
6. Technical Skills(as in technology)...the more you know makes it easier for you to get a job...
7. Managing money...I admit I struggle with this one.
8. How to drive...because sometimes you just need an open road and some air.
9. The ability to take the hits and keep on rolling.(sometimes I struggle here too, especially being Bipolar).
10. To recognize when a relationship is toxic for me and get out...

brianlux · May 2017

PJSiren said:

These are in no particular order, as my mind doesn't work that way...it's like a Pachinko machine in there...

1. How to express myself (with words)in a way that people can understand and respect.
2. Art/Writing...because if I can't express myself creatively, I'd explode.
3. How to grocery shop for healthy foods and cook what I buy...even though I don't like cooking.
4. Listening skills, because sometimes people just need someone to listen.
5. People skills, I'm good at communicating with people and helping them, I think this is important for everyone.
6. Technical Skills(as in technology)...the more you know makes it easier for you to get a job...
7. Managing money...I admit I struggle with this one.
8. How to drive...because sometimes you just need an open road and some air.
9. The ability to take the hits and keep on rolling.(sometimes I struggle here too, especially being Bipolar).
10. To recognize when a relationship is toxic for me and get out...

Like a Pachincko machine- I love it! :rofl:

tempo_n_groove · May 2017

This is great!

1- The ability to lead and to be lead if needed.
2- How to fall a tree. How to chop one down without killing someone or having the tree destroy something, lol.
3- How to build things/construction and engineering(mechanicaly inclined) like a house, shelter, fortress, irrigation. Read schematics.
4- Marksmanship in firearms
5- Gardening/farming and animal husbandry, fishing.
6- Operating machinery
7- Reading and comprehension
8- Navigation/map reading. I see this as a dying art now that everyone google maps directions.
9- Organization skills.
10- Story telling.

Things I need to learn-

1- Preserving meat.
2- Navigate by the stars.
3- Learn what foliage you can eat in the wilderness.
4- Reloading bullets
5- Get better at skinning/cleaning game and tanning hides.
6- The Rubix cube.

whispering hands · May 2017

tempo_n_groove said:

This is great!

1- The ability to lead and to be lead if needed.
2- How to fall a tree. How to chop one down without killing someone or having the tree destroy something, lol.
3- How to build things/construction and engineering(mechanicaly inclined) like a house, shelter, fortress, irrigation. Read schematics.
4- Marksmanship in firearms
5- Gardening/farming and animal husbandry, fishing.
6- Operating machinery
7- Reading and comprehension
8- Navigation/map reading. I see this as a dying art now that everyone google maps directions.
9- Organization skills.
10- Story telling.

Things I need to learn-

1- Preserving meat.
2- Navigate by the stars.
3- Learn what foliage you can eat in the wilderness.
4- Reloading bullets
5- Get better at skinning/cleaning game and tanning hides.
6- The Rubix cube.

Hahahaha!! I love that the Rubix cube made your list of things to master!
Relpading your own ammo is an art. I have tried for years.. but I have nerve damage, that causes shaking in certain hand/arm positions.. it spills and wastes much too much black poweder and so I have been cut off from the reloading process

. But it is very helpful to be able to reload hour own ammo.

brianlux · May 2017

tempo_n_groove said:

This is great!

1- The ability to lead and to be lead if needed.
2- How to fall a tree. How to chop one down without killing someone or having the tree destroy something, lol.
3- How to build things/construction and engineering(mechanicaly inclined) like a house, shelter, fortress, irrigation. Read schematics.
4- Marksmanship in firearms
5- Gardening/farming and animal husbandry, fishing.
6- Operating machinery
7- Reading and comprehension
8- Navigation/map reading. I see this as a dying art now that everyone google maps directions.
9- Organization skills.
10- Story telling.

Things I need to learn-

1- Preserving meat.
2- Navigate by the stars.
3- Learn what foliage you can eat in the wilderness.
4- Reloading bullets
5- Get better at skinning/cleaning game and tanning hides.
6- The Rubix cube.

The Rubix cube??!! Ha! For me that would be like trying to learn calculus or trigonometry. I'm fascinated by people with brains that can work that way!

#7 Reading and comprehension. Were I to revise my list, that would be a must!

Jason P · May 2017

The Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique needs to be on that list

HesCalledDyer · May 2017

I don't know if these are my top ten, but they're the first ten I thought of. In no particular order:

1. Know how to drive a manual transmission.
2. Perform basic vehicle maintenance (check/change fluids, filters, belts, flat tire, etc).
3. Understand and use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation - even if it's "just the internet." And especially understand that it's should/could/would/might HAVE (or the abbreviated 've), not OF. Fuck, that drives me up a god damned wall!
4. Understand when someone corrects your grammar that they're not being a Nazi, they're trying to help.
5. Know the phone numbers of your local public safety offices. At the very least, have them programmed in your phone.
6. Admit your faults and learn from them.
7. Understand the strengths and weaknesses of the people closest to you.
8. Learn to use the word "no," especially in situations unfavorable to you.
9. Men: learn how to tie a double-windsor knot. It's not that difficult.
10. Communication is a two-way street. Don't just wait for the other person to stop talking so you can talk, listen to what they're saying.

tempo_n_groove · May 2017

whispering hands said:

tempo_n_groove said:

This is great!

1- The ability to lead and to be lead if needed.
2- How to fall a tree. How to chop one down without killing someone or having the tree destroy something, lol.
3- How to build things/construction and engineering(mechanicaly inclined) like a house, shelter, fortress, irrigation. Read schematics.
4- Marksmanship in firearms
5- Gardening/farming and animal husbandry, fishing.
6- Operating machinery
7- Reading and comprehension
8- Navigation/map reading. I see this as a dying art now that everyone google maps directions.
9- Organization skills.
10- Story telling.

Things I need to learn-

1- Preserving meat.
2- Navigate by the stars.
3- Learn what foliage you can eat in the wilderness.
4- Reloading bullets
5- Get better at skinning/cleaning game and tanning hides.
6- The Rubix cube.

Hahahaha!! I love that the Rubix cube made your list of things to master!
Relpading your own ammo is an art. I have tried for years.. but I have nerve damage, that causes shaking in certain hand/arm positions.. it spills and wastes much too much black poweder and so I have been cut off from the reloading process . But it is very helpful to be able to reload hour own ammo.

I know ammo reloading isn't difficult but it's still something I'd like to learn.brianlux said:

tempo_n_groove said:

This is great!

1- The ability to lead and to be lead if needed.
2- How to fall a tree. How to chop one down without killing someone or having the tree destroy something, lol.
3- How to build things/construction and engineering(mechanicaly inclined) like a house, shelter, fortress, irrigation. Read schematics.
4- Marksmanship in firearms
5- Gardening/farming and animal husbandry, fishing.
6- Operating machinery
7- Reading and comprehension
8- Navigation/map reading. I see this as a dying art now that everyone google maps directions.
9- Organization skills.
10- Story telling.

Things I need to learn-

1- Preserving meat.
2- Navigate by the stars.
3- Learn what foliage you can eat in the wilderness.
4- Reloading bullets
5- Get better at skinning/cleaning game and tanning hides.
6- The Rubix cube.

The Rubix cube??!! Ha! For me that would be like trying to learn calculus or trigonometry. I'm fascinated by people with brains that can work that way!

#7 Reading and comprehension. Were I to revise my list, that would be a must!

Damn right a Rubix cube! I'm asking one for my birthday and I'm gunna rock that mofo!

brianlux · May 2017

tempo_n_groove said:

whispering hands said:

tempo_n_groove said:

This is great!

1- The ability to lead and to be lead if needed.
2- How to fall a tree. How to chop one down without killing someone or having the tree destroy something, lol.
3- How to build things/construction and engineering(mechanicaly inclined) like a house, shelter, fortress, irrigation. Read schematics.
4- Marksmanship in firearms
5- Gardening/farming and animal husbandry, fishing.
6- Operating machinery
7- Reading and comprehension
8- Navigation/map reading. I see this as a dying art now that everyone google maps directions.
9- Organization skills.
10- Story telling.

Things I need to learn-

1- Preserving meat.
2- Navigate by the stars.
3- Learn what foliage you can eat in the wilderness.
4- Reloading bullets
5- Get better at skinning/cleaning game and tanning hides.
6- The Rubix cube.

Hahahaha!! I love that the Rubix cube made your list of things to master!
Relpading your own ammo is an art. I have tried for years.. but I have nerve damage, that causes shaking in certain hand/arm positions.. it spills and wastes much too much black poweder and so I have been cut off from the reloading process . But it is very helpful to be able to reload hour own ammo.

I know ammo reloading isn't difficult but it's still something I'd like to learn.brianlux said:

tempo_n_groove said:

This is great!

1- The ability to lead and to be lead if needed.
2- How to fall a tree. How to chop one down without killing someone or having the tree destroy something, lol.
3- How to build things/construction and engineering(mechanicaly inclined) like a house, shelter, fortress, irrigation. Read schematics.
4- Marksmanship in firearms
5- Gardening/farming and animal husbandry, fishing.
6- Operating machinery
7- Reading and comprehension
8- Navigation/map reading. I see this as a dying art now that everyone google maps directions.
9- Organization skills.
10- Story telling.

Things I need to learn-

1- Preserving meat.
2- Navigate by the stars.
3- Learn what foliage you can eat in the wilderness.
4- Reloading bullets
5- Get better at skinning/cleaning game and tanning hides.
6- The Rubix cube.

The Rubix cube??!! Ha! For me that would be like trying to learn calculus or trigonometry. I'm fascinated by people with brains that can work that way!

#7 Reading and comprehension. Were I to revise my list, that would be a must!

Damn right a Rubix cube! I'm asking one for my birthday and I'm gunna rock that mofo!

I got two rows with the same color once!

We had a kid in the store a few years back who could do a Rubx Cube behind his back. He asked me to mix it up as best I could then took a good look at it, placed it behind his back and in very short order- voila!- had it nailed just like that. Blew my mind.

Your top ten essential skills.

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