What Are Your Unsung Skills?
I’ve been a bit quiet of late as I have been busy freelancing, permanent-job-hunting and turning thirty – all at the same time. Hectic. Now, I could write and go on about turning 30, give you my advice on how to cope with your 20s, etc, but you could read this lovely post by Danielle Hampton about turning 30 instead as it basically sums it all up. (Quote: “It’s about looking back at the beautiful naivety of my 20s with humor and acceptance, and realizing that it’s all brought me to this very moment.” Very true.)
What I wanted to talk about is something that keeps creeping back into my mind, the subject of unsung skills. I read a column in The Guardian about it a few weeks ago, it keeps popping into my mind, and I wanted to spread the word. There’s even a book about it, called You Are Good at Things – I recommend reading through (you can preview on Amazon) – you’ll quickly start to feel like the winner of life.
Basically, it’s about the little things in life that you’re really damn good at but that there’s no real reason to shout about. The stuff you wish you could put on your CV, and the stuff that should be considered a genuine life skill (that makes getting older feel better) but that you can’t really shout about. I say, screw all that, let’s shout about everything we’re good at. I’m not even talking about stuff like being able to draw or being good at puns – that stuff can actually get you ahead in life. I’m talking about the REALLY unappreciated talents that could go unnoticed forever.
For example, I am no Olympic athlete or Grammy-winning singer, but I bet you that neither Jessica Ennis or Adele can pack as many bags and random items of festival equipment into a small car boot as I can. Recruiters, take note, I am REALLY good at untangling necklace chains that have got knotted together in a drawer. Shall I put it on my CV?
Here are some of my unsung skills…
Hanging the washing out with optimal surface area exposed for quick drying
Alphabetising
Finding the end of the sellotape
Getting the bartender’s attention
Sleeping on trains but waking up before my destination
…and some skills I can only dream of
Changing a duvet cover without drama, falling over or getting lost inside it.
Knowing what to write inside greeting cards
Getting out of bed after just one alarm (as reminded by this Illustrated Tweet)
What are yours?
(Image via Shutterstock.com)
