12 impressive skills you can acquire in a week

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't take long to master a new skill. It is possible to achieve a decent level of proficiency in just 20 hours, practicing for several hours a day for a week.

1. Perform a song on a musical instrument

Studying music theory and becoming a professional musician in just a week, of course, will not work. But this is enough to learn how to play one song on a ukulele or harmonica. A rare instrument will make a special impression on the listener.

At the end of his TED Talks, business expert and writer Josh Kaufman played a mix of famous songs on a ukulele. To do this, according to Josh, it took him only 20 hours of practice.

2. Drive a car with a manual transmission

If you have a car with an automatic transmission, learn to drive a mechanic. Who knows, what if this skill will come in handy in the future, when you have to get behind the wheel of someone else's car.

3. Collect Rubik's cube

People who solve a Rubik's cube in just a few seconds claim that there is nothing difficult about it. You just need to study the algorithm for assembling the famous puzzle, which is very easy to remember. Even if you are a beginner, in a week you can learn how to solve a Rubik's cube in less than a couple of minutes.

4. Tell interesting stories

Storytelling is a skill that also needs to be learned, if nature has not endowed you with oratorical talent. A good storyteller knows how to captivate the audience by telling a story with enthusiasm, how to keep the audience's attention, and when to stop.

5. Park in parallel

Parallel parking is a must for anyone who wants to get a driver's license. But many have difficulties in doing so.

A week is enough time to learn this maneuver. And if you can do it with one movement of your hand, then you will definitely amaze the passenger sitting next to you with your skill.

6. Prepare a delicious meal

Improving your cooking skills in just a week is as easy as shelling pears. Perhaps the prepared dish will later become your signature dish.

You can learn how to cook pasta with a flavored sauce or the perfect steak. Serve it all up with good wine - and voila! An unforgettable dinner is ready.

7. Learn the basics of martial arts

Self-defense is a skill that people learn in the hope that it will never be useful to them in real life. However, this is a very important skill. You can learn basic self-defense maneuvers and techniques in a week.

8. Remember the number π

Well, even if this skill is not useful to you, a person who can recite many of the first digits of π by heart is impressive, isn't it? To do this, memorize every day 6-7 digits after the decimal point and repeat what you have already learned every day.

9. Learn the basics of a foreign language

People who speak several languages are called polyglots. Matthew Yulden and his brother Michael know more than 12 languages, which is why they are called hyperpolyglots. They were able to master conversational Turkish in just one week.

The brothers use the Babbel app, flash cards, media, cinema, music and other phenomena of popular culture as assistants in the study of a spoken foreign language.

10. Breaking an apple with your bare hands

Although this fruit is tough, there is a trick that can help you break it without using any tools.

First, remove the tail of the apple. Then hold the apple so that your thumbs are on top, your palms are completely wrapped around the apple, and the tips of the rest of your fingers are at the bottom of the fruit. Press down firmly on the apple while rolling it in your hands.

This video clearly demonstrates how to do this:

11. Juggle

Even if you doubt your dexterity, you can probably learn this skill. The easiest way is to start by juggling with two balls. Toss them one by one, shifting from one hand to another. Juggling with three balls is also pretty easy: two balls in hand, one in the air.

12. Learn the basics of cutting and sewing

During the week, you will be able to master a few basic stitches, learn how to select fabrics for different types of clothes, use a sewing machine, and take measurements. And in the future, you can improve this skill and sew exclusive clothes with your own hands.