We constantly learn something – at school, in a college, at work… It is a pity that not all knowledge comes in handy in future. It would be great to learn something useful quickly, for example, in a matter of 10 minutes, and apply it to your own benefit for the rest of your life. But what could it be?
1. Use the “hot keys”
There are many keyboard hot keys that you can use to quickly perform the same actions. They are used when working with windows and text editors, browsers, etc. Fortunately, we do not need to remember the 350 combinations to quickly type and print any text. It is sufficient to remember 10-15 of them, but even they can make life easier. In the hot keys list, select the keyboard combinations that are most frequently used (this will take about 5 minutes) and then try them in practice and memorize (it will take about 5 minutes). If your memory fails, you can set the hot keys scheme as the wallpaper on your desktop.
2. Master the “advanced” search in a browser
Formulate your search correctly, and the search engine will give you a precise answer. Each search engine has its own commands that help the search engine work more accurately. It takes 10 minutes to highlight the main commands in the list and memorize them. And then it is an issue of practice.
3. Learn how to quickly find out the translation of words without leaving the web page
The Google Dictionary extension for the Google Chrome browser will help you do this. If you have basic knowledge of English, it will be faster, easier and much more useful to use the built-in Google Dictionary than to operate Google Translate. A similar feature exists in the Firefox browser.
4. Master a couple of quick memorization techniques
The ability to keep large amounts of data in your memory makes life easier not only for students before exams, but also for those of us who have already obtained a degree. Knowing how to use the techniques of fast memorization, you can easily learn a foreign language, buy all the products in the supermarket from the list you have not taken; you will not call your new acquaintance a wrong name. Out of the few methods available, select the one that will work for you.
5. Use a fire extinguisher
They hang wherever prescribed by safety standards. Fire extinguishers can save lives and property. But how many of us really know how to use them? Spend 10 minutes and have some careful reading or watch a video, remember it – and you will become a useful member of society.
6. Pack your suitcase properly
We all make trips from time to time. Having learned to pack the suitcase properly (read: neatly, compactly, fast, and with minimal damage to things), you will consider it an enjoyable entertainment rather than a huge difficulty until the end of life.
7. Measure everything, using your own body
What if there is an urgent need to measure something and there is no ruler or tape measure at hand? Should you wait for help or hope for a good eye measuring? It is possible to prepare for such a situation in advance, making several measurements and memorizing the results. The following units of measurement may be useful:
- the maximum distance between the tips of the thumb and the little finger;
- the length of the foot from the tip of the big toe to the heel;
- the distance between the tips of the thumb and forefinger;
- the maximum distance between the tips of your index and middle fingers.
8. Tell the time without a watch
Just imagine that you have no watch! You will want to look at your smartphone screen, but what if you are in a situation of complete “digital detox” and are late for the date? It is both simple and useful to remember how tell the time without a watch!
9. Remember the basic rules of etiquette at the table
If you often attend corporate receptions or just meet with friends in a café or a restaurant, the knowledge of modern rules of table etiquette will come in handy. These include:
- the skills of proper consuming various types of food;
- the basic knowledge of serving;
- the rules of conduct at the table.
Or choose a different approach and find out about the major mistakes at the table and do not make them.
10. Learn how to fall asleep quickly
Most of us know this sad feeling when it’s time to sleep, and you want to sleep, but cannot fall asleep. Here are some simple “tricks” that will help:
Try NOT to fall asleep
Keep your eyes wide open and mentally repeat “I will not sleep.” Our brain does not perceive the particle NOT well, so it will start executing the command.
Remember the events of the day
Scroll the smallest details of the day in mind (preferably in reverse order), and you will clear your head from concerns and obsessions.
Perform some eye movements
Close your eyes and perform rotational movements from 3 to 5 times. Similar eye movements occur when we sleep. Imitation of sleep helps release melatonin, the sleep hormone.
Just dream
Imagine yourself in a comfortable, pleasant, beautiful location (e.g., in a tropical paradise); do not forget about the smells, sounds, and touches. Soon you will relax and fall asleep.
Use Andrew Weil’s method
Focus on your breathing: inhale quietly through your nose for 4 seconds, then hold your breath for 7 seconds, and then slowly exhale through the mouth for 8 seconds.
Bonus: Learn the “moonwalk”
This skill, of course, does not belong to essential ones, but it will make you the star of disco-style parties. The essence of the “moonwalk” can be expressed as follows: you are “trying” to move forward, while someone invisible is pulling you back. How to achieve this effect?
- Make a step forward with your left foot, and then a step back with the right foot.
Lift the heel of the right foot (move your body weight onto the right foot toe). - Slide back with your left foot – farther than the position of your right leg (keep the left leg on the floor all the time).
- Repeat the same action with the right foot (you need to lower the right heel on the floor and lift the left one).
The secret of “moonwalk” is that the dancer always keeps the weight of the body on the toes of the foot that remains on the same place, while the second foot slides on the floor, barely touching it. It is also important not to interrupt the movement to achieve maximum smoothness and not to stop even for a split second. Yes, it will not take much time to learn the technique, but it requires practice to achieve the wow-effect.
What simple skills do you find useful?
