Mastering the Essential Skills for the Digital Age

Discussing skills, we often distinguish between those we grasp quickly and effortlessly from a young age, and those we painstakingly cultivate over time. I firmly believe most skills fall into the latter category. Only a select few abilities feel intuitive naturally, while the vast majority are nurtured through rigorous practice.

The dilemma often lies in understanding what to practice and how, and even more critically, maintaining consistent practice. Reflecting on my endeavours to refine certain skills, the attempts seldom go as planned. Out of hundreds of areas I aspire to excel in, I feel I only manage to perform proficiently in a small fraction.

However, today’s discussion isn’t about my unsuccessful attempts. I want to shed light on some abilities that I’ve found particularly advantageous and continue to improve upon. These aren’t flamboyant skills like hacking or machine exploitation, but fundamental capabilities that assist individuals to navigate the digital world, especially those spending considerable time behind a desk.

I offer these insights in the hope they will be beneficial for you as well, as they have been for me. So, let’s delve into the list.

Variable Speed Reading

Reading extends far beyond what we typically perceive as a source of information. Regardless of whether we devote substantial time to reading books, we undoubtedly consume copious amounts of text ranging from social media posts to regular articles and references. Speed reading is a topic that has received extensive coverage. I won’t delve into the techniques as abundant resources exist online.

I wish to underscore the practical benefits of variable speed reading and some cautionary points to bear in mind. Speed reading, when done correctly, enables you to glance vast amounts of content quickly. However, this skill is not about constant velocity. Similar to the title of a well-known psychology book, “Thinking, Fast and Slow“, reading should also fluctuate between speeds depending on factors such as content type, your familiarity with the subject, and the author’s writing style. This flexibility allows you to maximize your reading experience. It facilitates seamless transitions between different paces when switching from a deep tech book to a sci-fi novel, for instance. Remember, the objective is not just to read blindly, but to comprehend, interpret, and relish the experience.

Reading, a somewhat forgotten art in our time, can be rediscovered through a wonderfully apt book titled “How to Read a Book“. However, it is a book for practitioners, and I would recommend familiarizing yourself with various genres before delving into it. You might want to consider:

• Monthly magazines of any kind
• Fiction novels
• Non-fiction small books
• Course or curriculum books

The goal is to have some representative examples in mind when you start. Once you’ve sampled a few of these, move on to “How to Read a Book“, treating it as a step on your skill development journey. The references you took time to explore will aid you when the book provides examples of dos and don’ts.

Non-tangible benefits of variable speed reading include:

• Skimming over non-essential parts
• Delving deeper into intriguing sections at a leisurely pace

The tangible benefit is time-saving. You avoid wasting time:

• Reading slowly, which can be time-consuming
• Reading too quickly, which can lead to missing out on important details or necessitating the revisiting of sections.

In the professional sphere, variable speed reading can be a boon in managing heavy email traffic or staying updated with industry trends. In academia, this skill can help students wade through vast amounts of course material more effectively. On a personal level, you can finish those novels you’ve always wanted to read or keep up with current affairs more comfortably.

Therefore, honing your variable speed reading ability can be incredibly advantageous.

Increased Typing Speed

As we transition to remote learning and work-from-home scenarios, written communication becomes even more vital. Whether it’s responding to professional emails, taking lecture notes, or just chatting with friends, faster typing speed can save time and increase our productivity. This skill is less about your equipment and more about your level of practice.. Many will suggest using a mechanical keyboard or other setups claiming to improve performance. In my experience, I’ve found mechanical keyboards suit a specific audience. Despite having a separate keyboard and trackpad setup, I still prefer typing on my MacBook keyboard (having skipped the controversial 2016-2019 keyboards).

The reason why enhanced typing speed can be so transformative is simple: we think significantly faster than we can type. The closer we align these two speeds, the more fluently we can jot down our thoughts. Don’t strive for achieving X WPM or Y CPM values, but rather aim to comfortably match your typing speed to your thinking speed. Avoid comparing your speed to others; it’s irrelevant.

There are numerous typing tutors, such as keybr.com and others, that can help you practice typing. Start by positioning your hands correctly on the keyboard, gradually increase your speed without obsessing over spelling, then focus on typing accurately without watching the keyboard. Eventually, you should be able to type without needing to look at the screen or keyboard. While it’s preferable to use both hands, you should be comfortable enough to continue typing with just one hand if necessary.

Sustained Focus

In the digital age, one vital skill that has been eroded by social media is our capacity for sustained focus. In the hustle and bustle of the digital world, our attention is incessantly pulled in a million directions. This fragmentation of attention can negatively impact our productivity and mental health. Hence, cultivating the skill of sustained focus has become increasingly important. I reminisce about the days when piecing together a puzzle or reading a novel in one sitting was standard. Nowadays, finishing a puzzle with more than 50 pieces in one sitting or completing a novel in one go are considered impressive feats.

However, nurturing our focus is a crucial skill. How you achieve this is up to you. For some, meditation helps; for others, restricting access to distracting apps works. From employing the Pomodoro technique (setting a timer for 20-minute intervals) to practicing meditation, you can explore what works best for you. If distractions are overwhelming and unmanageable, leverage technological solutions.

I use ublock origin, UnHook, LinkOff, and SocialFixer to curb my social media consumption. My default DNS blocks Instagram and Facebook, forcing me to manually change DNS settings to access them. Identify distractions and systematically eliminate them. Personally, I prefer going cold turkey, blocking distractions, and striving to function without them. There are some things I can’t do without, but I continue to try, hoping to one day banish those focus thieves from my life.

Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

With a deluge of information at our fingertips, the ability to critically evaluate and use this information to solve problems is key. This skill of critical thinking and problem-solving is what turns raw data into valuable insights. In the professional realm, this skill can help you troubleshoot issues, innovate, and make informed decisions. In academia, it’s integral for understanding complex concepts, engaging in research, and fostering a deep learning experience. On a personal level, it’s invaluable for making informed decisions and solving everyday problems.

The first three entries will help you achieve better focus, leading to faster reading and more efficient notation of thoughts. These improvements pave the way for critical thinking and problem-solving skills. We troubleshoot on a daily basis. Technology is a perpetually evolving field, and nobody knows even half of it. Everyone is constantly learning and updating their skills. The ability to understand, assimilate, and utilize the gained knowledge is as essential to our survival as water.

Sometimes, the answer to problems is merely a click or a specific keyword away. It could be a matter of spending more time reviewing code or conversing with a rubber duck. Enhanced focus will aid you here. Improved reading and typing will facilitate knowledge accumulation, which is essential for critical thinking and problem-solving. Persevering through challenging situations is crucial.

Contrary to my advice on focus, if you find yourself stuck on a problem for a lengthy period, take a break. It helps to clear the mental fog and refocus. Restart from scratch if needed – you never truly begin from zero because you bring the wisdom of your past attempts to the table.

With that I conclude the article on a simpler note that these skills have helped in immensely and hopefully you will find them helpful for you also. Also remember its a journey of continuous growth and the aim is to be better then what we were yesterday. These skills take time and patience to hone, but I guarantee you, they’re worth every ounce of effort. These are base skills and they will help across the base.