20 Practical Life Skills You Can Master in Under 20 Minutes
While school provides a solid foundation in various subjects, many of us find ourselves lacking essential life skills that are crucial for navigating adulthood. Whether it’s learning how to bleed your radiators or mastering the art of public speaking, these skills often feel daunting to tackle later in life. However, many of these abilities are easier to acquire than you might think. Here, experts share 20 practical life skills you can learn in less than 20 minutes:
How to Make a Great First Impression
Jo Irving, empowerment and transformation coach, emphasizes that making a solid first impression goes beyond just looking presentable or being punctual. It’s about the feelings you evoke in others. Consider how people have impacted you in the past—not just through their words or looks, but by the way they made you feel valued and comfortable. Before an important encounter, visualize the interaction and how you want the other person to feel, enabling you to walk in with confidence and authenticity. This visualization technique can ease your nerves, as your mind starts to believe you have already succeeded in the situation.
How to Locate Your Stop Tap
According to Calvin Bannan, founder and director of CB Heating & Plumbing Services, knowing the location of your stop tap is vital for managing plumbing emergencies. Typically, you can find it under the kitchen sink, in a hallway cupboard, or near your water meter. In older homes, it might even be located outside. Once you find it, turn the valve clockwise to halt water flow in the event of a leak or burst pipe. Familiarizing yourself with its location can save you crucial time during an emergency.
How to Become a Better Public Speaker
Sarah-Jane McQueen, chief operating officer of CoursesOnline, suggests that public speaking can be improved through simple techniques. Start using strategic pauses to eliminate filler words and enhance your message’s impact. Lower your pitch slightly to avoid sounding uncertain and emphasize key phrases to engage your audience. Replace weak phrases like ‘I think’ with stronger statements such as ‘I recommend.’ Maintain steady eye contact using the three-second rule and adopt a confident posture. A deep breath before you begin and slowing down your first sentence can also make a significant difference.
How to Pack More Efficiently Without Creasing Your Clothes
Helen Sanderson, author of The Secret Life of Clutter, recommends being selective about what you pack. Start by focusing on versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched. Utilize packing cubes for organization, rolling softer fabrics to save space, and using the interlocking folding method for structured items: lay the garment flat, fold the sides toward the center, and then fold up to create a neat rectangle. This method not only saves space but also prevents unwanted creases.
How to Perform CPR
Jo Talbot, spokesperson for the Royal Life Saving Society UK, advises that if you suspect someone is not breathing, call emergency services immediately and retrieve a defibrillator if available. Begin CPR by delivering 30 chest compressions at the center of the chest, using the heel of one hand with your other hand on top. Push down about 5-6cm at a rate of two compressions per second. After 30 compressions, give two rescue breaths by tilting the head back, pinching the nose, sealing your mouth over theirs, and blowing in for about one second per breath. Continue this cycle until help arrives.
How to Boost Your Mood
Dr. Emma Palmer-Cooper, research psychologist, explains that focusing on negativity can drain your energy and affect your well-being. Even in tough situations, identifying positive experiences can enhance your resilience. One effective method is the “Three Good Things” exercise, which involves reflecting on three positive occurrences daily. Over time, this practice can shift your focus towards the positive aspects of life, improving your mood and overall mental health.
How to Bleed Your Radiators
Calvin Bannan suggests that if your radiators are making gurgling noises or not heating up efficiently, it’s time to bleed them. First, turn off your heating and let the system cool. Using a radiator key, place a cloth under the valve and slowly turn it counterclockwise. You should hear air hissing out, followed by water. Once water flows steadily, close the valve tightly. This quick process can greatly improve your heating system’s efficiency.
How to Cultivate Confidence
Jo Irving shares that confidence is often a byproduct of action. If you’re waiting to feel confident before taking a step, take action first, and confidence will follow. For a quick boost, remember that fear and excitement share similar physiological responses. Instead of labeling your nerves as fear, reframe them as excitement. This simple shift in mindset can help you approach challenges with a sense of readiness.
How to Budget Effectively
Matthew Sheeran, money-saving expert at Money Wellness, recommends starting your budgeting journey by assessing your income and necessary expenses. List essentials like rent, bills, and food. Use budgeting tools or a simple spreadsheet to monitor your spending. Adopting the 50:30:20 rule—allocating 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings or debt—can help you stay organized. Automate your savings and bill payments to avoid late fees, and review your budget weekly to make necessary adjustments.
How to Remove Stains Effectively
Anna Louisa, author of The 5 Minute Clean Routine, advises that the sooner you treat a stain, the better your chances of removing it. Start by absorbing any excess liquid with a cloth or sponge; always dab instead of rubbing to prevent pushing the stain deeper. For on-the-go stains like coffee or makeup spills, keep tissues and hand sanitizer handy. Blot the stain, then apply hand sanitizer, letting it sit for five minutes before washing as usual. Avoid using hand sanitizer on delicate fabrics like wool or silk.
How to Change a Tire
Kev Field, instructor at Confident Drivers, offers a straightforward approach to changing a tire. First, ensure the car is in first gear with the handbrake engaged. Gather your tools, including a spare tire, jack, and wrench. Loosen the wheel nuts by turning them counterclockwise, then locate the car’s designated jacking points—refer to your handbook if necessary. Raise the car until the flat tire is off the ground, then remove the wheel nuts, replace the tire with the spare, and hand-tighten the nuts before lowering the car and securing them with the wrench.
How to Recognize a Scam
Adrianus Warmenhoven, cyber security expert at NordVPN, emphasizes the importance of being vigilant against scams. Be on the lookout for suspicious email addresses, generic greetings, urgent language, and poor grammar. Always verify the sender’s authenticity before clicking on links or downloading attachments. Legitimate companies rarely ask for sensitive information via phone or text. Stay cautious, especially if the voice on the other end of a call sounds robotic, as scammers often use voice cloning technology.
How to Stop a Nosebleed
Abbas Kanani, pharmacist at Chemist Click, advises that if you experience a nosebleed, tilt your head forward to avoid swallowing blood. Pinch the soft part of your nose and breathe through your mouth for up to 10 minutes. Applying a cold compress, like frozen peas wrapped in a cloth, to the bridge of your nose can help slow blood flow. Seek medical attention if the bleeding persists for more than 10-15 minutes or is accompanied by dizziness or difficulty breathing.
How to Repair Damaged Clothes
Jenni Smith and Kay Walsh, authors of Menopause Makes, suggest that you don’t need to discard clothing with a tear. Cut a square or rectangle of cotton that extends at least an inch beyond the damaged area. Pin this patch to the garment’s underside, centering it over the rip. Use a heavyweight thread to sew large running stitches horizontally across the patch, and wear your repaired clothing with pride.
How to Learn the Basics of a Language
Noël Wolf, linguistic expert at Babbel, notes that you can quickly pick up essential words when traveling to a new country. Rather than memorizing lengthy phrases, focus on 10 commonly used words, such as ‘hello,’ ‘thank you,’ ‘please,’ and basic numbers. Understanding key phrases and context can enable you to grasp the gist of conversations, enhancing your travel experience.
How to Form a New Habit
Maureen Adams, career and executive coach, advises that embedding a new habit takes more than just intention. Make it a priority in your daily routine. Schedule exactly when and how you will practice this habit, track your progress, and celebrate your achievements. If you falter, reflect on the reasons and gently steer yourself back on course, maintaining a positive outlook throughout the process.
How to Manage Your Time Better
Maureen Adams emphasizes that effective time management begins with a shift in mindset. Identify your priorities and eliminate less important tasks. Consider outsourcing certain activities and find the best times to tackle demanding tasks. Color-code your calendar for better organization, utilizing tools like Calendly for appointments and Otter.ai for transcriptions to enhance productivity.
How to Harness Tech Shortcuts
Will Francis, tech and AI expert, shares that using computer shortcuts can significantly save time. Learn essential shortcuts like Ctrl + C for copying, Ctrl + V for pasting, and Ctrl + F for searching. Consider setting up text replacements for frequently used phrases to streamline your typing. This feature can be found in keyboard settings on both Mac and Windows systems, making your digital life more efficient.
How to Take Better Photos
Rachell Smith, portrait and fashion photographer, offers tips for enhancing your photography skills. Experiment with lighting by adjusting exposure through your phone’s settings. If you’re shooting against the sun, lower the exposure and consider using flash to brighten your subject. Explore different angles and framing techniques to create more dynamic compositions. Don’t hesitate to move around to find the most flattering perspective.
How to Make a Fire Safely
Matt Gaskell, conservation biologist and expedition leader, explains that to start a fire, choose a dry, safe location away from flammable materials. Gather three types of fuel: tinder (dry leaves or grass), kindling (small sticks), and larger fuel wood. Arrange the tinder in a teepee or pyramid shape, ignite it with matches or a lighter, and gently blow on the flames to encourage growth. Gradually add kindling and larger wood as the fire strengthens, and always have water nearby to extinguish it safely.
