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Ask HN: What skills do you think are necessary to succeed in life?

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Re: Ask HN: What skills do you think are necessary to succeed in life?

#2
The most important skills I can think of:

Curiosity - Never be afraid to learn how something works, whether it's some new programming language or a specific law or why Pop-Rocks fizz - be curious as it will make learning new things a lot more entertaining.

Speak Up - Learn how to speak up when necessary, whether it requires being assertive to put people in to place, or showing someone what you are capable of and something you have knowledge in - don't be afraid to speak your mind.

Patience - this is a very important trait - you will need it when trying to learn something new, or if you are in a position of mentoring someone. You need to understand it takes time to get things right.

Greed - yep, I'll say it - you need a certain level greed (not just with money but also in accomplishments) - not because it's a good thing in the grand scheme of things, but it can also act as a motivator to your success in life; at the same time don't let greed get the best of you and be humble about everything - even if it's a facade at times.

Re: Ask HN: What skills do you think are necessary to succeed in life?

#6

The most important skills I can think of: Curiosity - Never be afraid to learn how something works, whether it's some new programming language or a specific law or why Pop-Rocks fizz - be curious as it will make learning new things a lot more entertaining. Speak Up - Learn how to speak up when necessary, whether it requires being assertive to put people in to place, or showing someone what you are capable of and some…

I think the 4 most important skills are:

Curiosity - I agree with yours

Time Alone - You learn best alone, you work best alone, and you are most creative alone. Being with friends and family for me is a release from this pressure to avoid burnout.

Perfectionism - Just look at what Steve Jobs has done with a certain level of this. Your work will always absolutely be the best possible.

Competetiveness - You should WANT to be the best at everything you do. This will be what motivates you to spend that time alone pouring over new material, working through a hard problem. This will make you become a perfectionist if you aren't one because the perfect creations will be the best. I feel this is the most important skill to have because it enforces many other traits all at once.

Re: Ask HN: What skills do you think are necessary to succeed in life?

#9
1. Luck 2. Intelligence 3. Persistence

Like they say in match point:

The man who said "I'd rather be lucky than good" saw deeply into life. People are afraid to face how great a part of life is dependent on luck. It's scary to think so much is out of one's control. There are moments in a match when the ball hits the top of the net, and for a split second, it can either go forward or fall back. With a little luck, it goes forward, and you win. Or maybe it doesn't, and you lose.

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