This is a very meta response, but the best skill I've ever learned is how to learn. Barbara Oakley's Learning How To Learn class [0] was immensely helpful for understanding how brains work and how I could learn efficiently.
I made it through college with a combination of cramming and bad sleep habits, but focusing on spaced repetition, the diffuse/active modes, and sleep has made classes I've taken since feel like easy mode.
Ha, I know what you mean! I found the information extremely valuable, but I do agree that the production value leaves a lot to be desired. I'm not sure if you've read her book A Mind For Numbers, but it has largely the same information (without nearly as many clipart zombies).
In a similar vein, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that it’s hard for people to get to the message if they can’t get past the presentation.
And that a killer presentation can even get you trust from people that you shouldn’t even be getting, bypassing what may otherwise have been great difficulty to earn their trust.
Active listening. I'm amazed at how much better discussions go when this simple tool is used. Conflicts big and small melt away. Understanding, trust, and confidence are built. And even if not everyone agrees at the end, they at least feel heard, which is such an overlooked and underrated need.
One way I found helpful is to repeat or paraphrase what the other person had said in the conversation. At first I was surprised by how difficult this was. Then I realized it’s because I was just hearing the words but not processing them. This also signifies to the other person that you are understanding and engaging in the conversation.
That's basically it. I find that it serves three functions: one is making the other person feel heard, two is making sure I actually understand what they're saying (misunderstandings are more common than I think!), and three is forcing me to put my own response on hold. That last bit is huge. I had no idea how reactive I was in conversation, and what a detriment it is to communication.
programming. and on more life broad approach the big 4's: "not my fucking problem" & "could not care less" & "don't give a shit" & "piss off, i'm busy'. These 4's made wonders to my health and family, now everybody leaves me alone with their stupidity and only approach me for serious stuff. I don't have time for crap or smalltalk, for that I already have my family.
I think developing a love for reading is really important. I'm not a big reader, but I can usually finish 20+ books a year, half of which are beneficial beyond enjoyment.
I made it through college with a combination of cramming and bad sleep habits, but focusing on spaced repetition, the diffuse/active modes, and sleep has made classes I've taken since feel like easy mode.
[0]: https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn