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  3. What Is Your Most Valuable Life Skill?

What Is Your Most Valuable Life Skill?

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  • S Steve Raw

    As software developers, I think we can agree that our coding skills are universally applicable. In my experience, there have been more than a few instances where my work has evoked comments from others expressing disbelief. It's funny because you hear the same things over and over again. "Woah, how did you do that?", and "Where did you learn to do that?", and of course the "You suck" comments. Knowing how to code is certainly a very valuable life skill to have. But, what about other skills? In what other areas do you have knowledge or experience with? What are they, and how do you use them? How are they of benefit to you? Is it worthwhile for others to learn these skills? Why, or why not?

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    David ONeil
    wrote on last edited by
    #2

    * Thinking * Contemplating * Organizing/Reorganizing * Understanding Probably in that order.

    Our Forgotten Astronomy | Object Oriented Programming with C++ | Wordle solver

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    • S Steve Raw

      As software developers, I think we can agree that our coding skills are universally applicable. In my experience, there have been more than a few instances where my work has evoked comments from others expressing disbelief. It's funny because you hear the same things over and over again. "Woah, how did you do that?", and "Where did you learn to do that?", and of course the "You suck" comments. Knowing how to code is certainly a very valuable life skill to have. But, what about other skills? In what other areas do you have knowledge or experience with? What are they, and how do you use them? How are they of benefit to you? Is it worthwhile for others to learn these skills? Why, or why not?

      Kornfeld Eliyahu PeterK Offline
      Kornfeld Eliyahu PeterK Offline
      Kornfeld Eliyahu Peter
      wrote on last edited by
      #3

      Putting code aside at end of the day and became a dad...

      "If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker that came along would destroy civilization." ― Gerald Weinberg

      "It never ceases to amaze me that a spacecraft launched in 1977 can be fixed remotely from Earth." ― Brian Cox

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      • S Steve Raw

        As software developers, I think we can agree that our coding skills are universally applicable. In my experience, there have been more than a few instances where my work has evoked comments from others expressing disbelief. It's funny because you hear the same things over and over again. "Woah, how did you do that?", and "Where did you learn to do that?", and of course the "You suck" comments. Knowing how to code is certainly a very valuable life skill to have. But, what about other skills? In what other areas do you have knowledge or experience with? What are they, and how do you use them? How are they of benefit to you? Is it worthwhile for others to learn these skills? Why, or why not?

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        Daniel Pfeffer
        wrote on last edited by
        #4

        0. Nomenclature 1. Categorization 2. Logical reasoning 3. Compartmentalization

        Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows. -- 6079 Smith W.

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        • S Steve Raw

          As software developers, I think we can agree that our coding skills are universally applicable. In my experience, there have been more than a few instances where my work has evoked comments from others expressing disbelief. It's funny because you hear the same things over and over again. "Woah, how did you do that?", and "Where did you learn to do that?", and of course the "You suck" comments. Knowing how to code is certainly a very valuable life skill to have. But, what about other skills? In what other areas do you have knowledge or experience with? What are they, and how do you use them? How are they of benefit to you? Is it worthwhile for others to learn these skills? Why, or why not?

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          J Offline
          Jeremy Falcon
          wrote on last edited by
          #5

          Learning how to read people. I spent years studying how to. Unfortunately, this also put my stubborn butt in a lot of arguments (I'm not perfect) because not everyone wants to know or can handle the truth or will know the truth but never admit it, etc. But, it's learning how to read people. Even doctors will lie to you. Learn to read people.

          Jeremy Falcon

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          • S Steve Raw

            As software developers, I think we can agree that our coding skills are universally applicable. In my experience, there have been more than a few instances where my work has evoked comments from others expressing disbelief. It's funny because you hear the same things over and over again. "Woah, how did you do that?", and "Where did you learn to do that?", and of course the "You suck" comments. Knowing how to code is certainly a very valuable life skill to have. But, what about other skills? In what other areas do you have knowledge or experience with? What are they, and how do you use them? How are they of benefit to you? Is it worthwhile for others to learn these skills? Why, or why not?

            M Offline
            M Offline
            MarkTJohnson
            wrote on last edited by
            #6

            Does breathing count?

            I’ve given up trying to be calm. However, I am open to feeling slightly less agitated. I’m begging you for the benefit of everyone, don’t be STUPID.

            E S 2 Replies Last reply
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            • S Steve Raw

              As software developers, I think we can agree that our coding skills are universally applicable. In my experience, there have been more than a few instances where my work has evoked comments from others expressing disbelief. It's funny because you hear the same things over and over again. "Woah, how did you do that?", and "Where did you learn to do that?", and of course the "You suck" comments. Knowing how to code is certainly a very valuable life skill to have. But, what about other skills? In what other areas do you have knowledge or experience with? What are they, and how do you use them? How are they of benefit to you? Is it worthwhile for others to learn these skills? Why, or why not?

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              glennPattonWork3
              wrote on last edited by
              #7

              I'm not really a software guy, I'm an electronics guy who HAS to program. I would say based on this morning 'self control' I had written so embedded code for positioning a servo motor to allow a screw to be fitted and then rotate 90' for a home position. The great Programmers decided that this was wrong (read harder for them, you know having to add 90') So a jig that had been approved wired in need the board updating (like a mug I had blown Read/Write fuses) so had to replace the controller... Xmas is coming must not blot copy book this close to Santa's arrival.:mad:

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              • S Steve Raw

                As software developers, I think we can agree that our coding skills are universally applicable. In my experience, there have been more than a few instances where my work has evoked comments from others expressing disbelief. It's funny because you hear the same things over and over again. "Woah, how did you do that?", and "Where did you learn to do that?", and of course the "You suck" comments. Knowing how to code is certainly a very valuable life skill to have. But, what about other skills? In what other areas do you have knowledge or experience with? What are they, and how do you use them? How are they of benefit to you? Is it worthwhile for others to learn these skills? Why, or why not?

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                dandy72
                wrote on last edited by
                #8

                Well, the skills I've acquired over time as a software developer don't always translate into a positive in real life. I'll leave it to XKCD to provide [an example](https://xkcd.com/974/).

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                • S Steve Raw

                  As software developers, I think we can agree that our coding skills are universally applicable. In my experience, there have been more than a few instances where my work has evoked comments from others expressing disbelief. It's funny because you hear the same things over and over again. "Woah, how did you do that?", and "Where did you learn to do that?", and of course the "You suck" comments. Knowing how to code is certainly a very valuable life skill to have. But, what about other skills? In what other areas do you have knowledge or experience with? What are they, and how do you use them? How are they of benefit to you? Is it worthwhile for others to learn these skills? Why, or why not?

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                  Marc Clifton
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #9

                  Translating what the customer says they want ("customer" includes "manager" for those that may remember when TQM / ISO-9000 was all the rage) into what they actually need. This can be generalized to any relationship. ;)

                  Latest Articles:
                  A Lightweight Thread Safe In-Memory Keyed Generic Cache Collection Service A Dynamic Where Implementation for Entity Framework

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                  • G glennPattonWork3

                    I'm not really a software guy, I'm an electronics guy who HAS to program. I would say based on this morning 'self control' I had written so embedded code for positioning a servo motor to allow a screw to be fitted and then rotate 90' for a home position. The great Programmers decided that this was wrong (read harder for them, you know having to add 90') So a jig that had been approved wired in need the board updating (like a mug I had blown Read/Write fuses) so had to replace the controller... Xmas is coming must not blot copy book this close to Santa's arrival.:mad:

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                    Daniel Pfeffer
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #10

                    glennPattonWork3 wrote:

                    Xmas is coming must not blot copy book this close to Santa's arrival

                    I'm sure he would understand. The local police, however, probably wouldn't. :)

                    Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows. -- 6079 Smith W.

                    1 Reply Last reply
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                    • S Steve Raw

                      As software developers, I think we can agree that our coding skills are universally applicable. In my experience, there have been more than a few instances where my work has evoked comments from others expressing disbelief. It's funny because you hear the same things over and over again. "Woah, how did you do that?", and "Where did you learn to do that?", and of course the "You suck" comments. Knowing how to code is certainly a very valuable life skill to have. But, what about other skills? In what other areas do you have knowledge or experience with? What are they, and how do you use them? How are they of benefit to you? Is it worthwhile for others to learn these skills? Why, or why not?

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                      Lost User
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #11

                      I usually have less lumber left over after building a fence.

                      "Before entering on an understanding, I have meditated for a long time, and have foreseen what might happen. It is not genius which reveals to me suddenly, secretly, what I have to say or to do in a circumstance unexpected by other people; it is reflection, it is meditation." - Napoleon I

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                      • S Steve Raw

                        As software developers, I think we can agree that our coding skills are universally applicable. In my experience, there have been more than a few instances where my work has evoked comments from others expressing disbelief. It's funny because you hear the same things over and over again. "Woah, how did you do that?", and "Where did you learn to do that?", and of course the "You suck" comments. Knowing how to code is certainly a very valuable life skill to have. But, what about other skills? In what other areas do you have knowledge or experience with? What are they, and how do you use them? How are they of benefit to you? Is it worthwhile for others to learn these skills? Why, or why not?

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                        Gary Wheeler
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #12

                        My training and experience as an engineer is broadly applicable to problem-solving. I'm the Mr. Fix-It and the Mr. Put-It-Together in my family, although my daughter seems to have acquired the knack (despite a B.S. in Biology). The best skill I've developed though is my writing ability. Being able to appreciate your audience, organize your thoughts, and then express them is profoundly useful. It's unbelievable at times when I deal with a smart, well-spoken engineer, and then their email reads like a prepubescent kid with dyslexia on Adderall.

                        Software Zen: delete this;

                        R 1 Reply Last reply
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                        • S Steve Raw

                          As software developers, I think we can agree that our coding skills are universally applicable. In my experience, there have been more than a few instances where my work has evoked comments from others expressing disbelief. It's funny because you hear the same things over and over again. "Woah, how did you do that?", and "Where did you learn to do that?", and of course the "You suck" comments. Knowing how to code is certainly a very valuable life skill to have. But, what about other skills? In what other areas do you have knowledge or experience with? What are they, and how do you use them? How are they of benefit to you? Is it worthwhile for others to learn these skills? Why, or why not?

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                          Roger Wright
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #13

                          I think my most valuable skill is spotting patterns, and when they're broken. I've always been able to look at a problem, see how it is meant to work, and identify what needs to be changed to make it work, even as a child. It has been curse many times, and I didn't have a lot of friends growing up, as this is considered to be a bit spooky to some, and being a smartass to others.

                          Will Rogers never met me.

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                          • G Gary Wheeler

                            My training and experience as an engineer is broadly applicable to problem-solving. I'm the Mr. Fix-It and the Mr. Put-It-Together in my family, although my daughter seems to have acquired the knack (despite a B.S. in Biology). The best skill I've developed though is my writing ability. Being able to appreciate your audience, organize your thoughts, and then express them is profoundly useful. It's unbelievable at times when I deal with a smart, well-spoken engineer, and then their email reads like a prepubescent kid with dyslexia on Adderall.

                            Software Zen: delete this;

                            R Offline
                            R Offline
                            Roger Wright
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #14

                            I was told in college to never let an employer know how well I write, because they would assign me to tech writing, and I'd never get to design anything. I know that no one hires tech writers anymore, since Microsoft first introduced the concept of never shipping a manual with any product, but back then there was a real danger of being assigned a technical writing role if one had any ability to compose a readable sentence.

                            Will Rogers never met me.

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                            • S Steve Raw

                              As software developers, I think we can agree that our coding skills are universally applicable. In my experience, there have been more than a few instances where my work has evoked comments from others expressing disbelief. It's funny because you hear the same things over and over again. "Woah, how did you do that?", and "Where did you learn to do that?", and of course the "You suck" comments. Knowing how to code is certainly a very valuable life skill to have. But, what about other skills? In what other areas do you have knowledge or experience with? What are they, and how do you use them? How are they of benefit to you? Is it worthwhile for others to learn these skills? Why, or why not?

                              G Offline
                              G Offline
                              GuyThiebaut
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #15

                              I was lucky enough to be raised as bilingual English/French. I have not used the French much as an adult and street French itself has changed a bit since the 70s - however I still have the accent, can speak a bit and enjoy watching French documentaries/films. It's been really useful because it's also made it easier for me to pick up and speak other languages as some French phonemes are very different to English phonemes. Once you get a feel for different phonemes it makes speaking other languages easier - I still cringe a lot at how most English speakers pronounce the word "croissant" :laugh: It's opened up a whole other world to me and I am grateful for having this facility.

                              “That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”

                              ― Christopher Hitchens

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                              • R Roger Wright

                                I was told in college to never let an employer know how well I write, because they would assign me to tech writing, and I'd never get to design anything. I know that no one hires tech writers anymore, since Microsoft first introduced the concept of never shipping a manual with any product, but back then there was a real danger of being assigned a technical writing role if one had any ability to compose a readable sentence.

                                Will Rogers never met me.

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                                G Offline
                                Gary Wheeler
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #16

                                Roger Wright wrote:

                                never let an employer know how well I write

                                That one hit me a few years ago, when they didn't replace the tech writer for the help to go with my application. She was amazingly good at it, too.

                                Roger Wright wrote:

                                no one hires tech writers anymore

                                We still have a couple technical writers (they sit right behind me). Our products are complex with maintenance and service procedures that can be dozens of steps long.

                                Software Zen: delete this;

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                                • M MarkTJohnson

                                  Does breathing count?

                                  I’ve given up trying to be calm. However, I am open to feeling slightly less agitated. I’m begging you for the benefit of everyone, don’t be STUPID.

                                  E Offline
                                  E Offline
                                  englebart
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #17

                                  I had the same thought. 1. Allowing heart to beat 2. Breathing 3. … Breathing is key to stress release! I use it multiple times an hour at work.

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                                  • G GuyThiebaut

                                    I was lucky enough to be raised as bilingual English/French. I have not used the French much as an adult and street French itself has changed a bit since the 70s - however I still have the accent, can speak a bit and enjoy watching French documentaries/films. It's been really useful because it's also made it easier for me to pick up and speak other languages as some French phonemes are very different to English phonemes. Once you get a feel for different phonemes it makes speaking other languages easier - I still cringe a lot at how most English speakers pronounce the word "croissant" :laugh: It's opened up a whole other world to me and I am grateful for having this facility.

                                    “That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”

                                    ― Christopher Hitchens

                                    L Offline
                                    L Offline
                                    Lost User
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #18

                                    On lighter side... my first for pay job in US was maintaining "industrial size " sawing machines... their product was variety of plastic and "natural fiber " 50 pounds or smaller bags.. their byproduct was unbelievable oily fiber mess clogging everything... I did learn skills and respect of operators for not being too concerned getting " down to get dirty "... and since I used screwdriver , instead of hammer , as my "teacher " Ernie ... I guess my learned life skill is being able to "look things over " and use the right tool to get the job done. but sometime Mikey mouse wins...

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                                    • S Steve Raw

                                      As software developers, I think we can agree that our coding skills are universally applicable. In my experience, there have been more than a few instances where my work has evoked comments from others expressing disbelief. It's funny because you hear the same things over and over again. "Woah, how did you do that?", and "Where did you learn to do that?", and of course the "You suck" comments. Knowing how to code is certainly a very valuable life skill to have. But, what about other skills? In what other areas do you have knowledge or experience with? What are they, and how do you use them? How are they of benefit to you? Is it worthwhile for others to learn these skills? Why, or why not?

                                      V Offline
                                      V Offline
                                      virang_21
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #19

                                      Knowing full well that no matter my coding skills there are people with far more knowledge and I can learn from even the junior-est person in the team. Having absolute zero ego about what I can do and ask for help when I don't understand something.

                                      Zen and the art of software maintenance : rm -rf * Maths is like love : a simple idea but it can get complicated.

                                      1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • S Steve Raw

                                        As software developers, I think we can agree that our coding skills are universally applicable. In my experience, there have been more than a few instances where my work has evoked comments from others expressing disbelief. It's funny because you hear the same things over and over again. "Woah, how did you do that?", and "Where did you learn to do that?", and of course the "You suck" comments. Knowing how to code is certainly a very valuable life skill to have. But, what about other skills? In what other areas do you have knowledge or experience with? What are they, and how do you use them? How are they of benefit to you? Is it worthwhile for others to learn these skills? Why, or why not?

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                                        O Offline
                                        obermd
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #20

                                        Breathing.

                                        1 Reply Last reply
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                                        • R Roger Wright

                                          I think my most valuable skill is spotting patterns, and when they're broken. I've always been able to look at a problem, see how it is meant to work, and identify what needs to be changed to make it work, even as a child. It has been curse many times, and I didn't have a lot of friends growing up, as this is considered to be a bit spooky to some, and being a smartass to others.

                                          Will Rogers never met me.

                                          G Offline
                                          G Offline
                                          Gary Wheeler
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #21

                                          Roger Wright wrote:

                                          a bit spooky to some, and being a smartass

                                          A bit 'tetched, eh? :-D

                                          Software Zen: delete this;

                                          R 1 Reply Last reply
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