There are a lot of skills you don’t need. You can be happy and successful without knowing how to rebuild a car’s engine, program a web application, or replace drywall. Sure, these are useful skills to have, but they aren’t absolutely necessary.
很多技能其实没必要去掌握。不知道如何修理汽车发动机，不会编写网页应用程序或更换石膏板，你可能照样很快乐。当然，这些技能虽不是必不可少，但的确很实用。
There are other skills, however, that can’t be avoided – skills that tie into various aspects of everyday life, that are not only useful, but totally indispensable. For instance, you can’t get far in today’s world without being able to read or write. And today the ability use a computer proficiently is simply assumed.
可是，你必须学会另外一些技能——一些与我们日常生活息息相关的技能。它们不仅有用，而且不可或缺。例如：读写技能，如果不能读写，身处当今世界的你，势必四处碰壁。现在，精通电脑也被看作当然之事。
In this article we’re going to skip the super basic skills like reading, driving, and using a computer, and discuss twelve slightly more advanced skills that are woefully under-taught, and universally applicable. Let’s take a look…
这里，我们不打算讨论读、写、驾驶和操作电脑等超基本技能，而是讨论12个略微高级一些的技能。不幸地是，没人教你这些技能，而它们却具有普遍适用性。让我们来看看吧……

1. Prioritizing and time management.
目标优选和时间管理
If success depends on effective action, effective action depends on the ability to focus your attention where it is needed most, when it is needed most. This is the ability to separate the important from the unimportant, which is a much needed skill in all walks of life, especially where there are ever increasing opportunities and distractions.
如果成功取决于有效行动，那么有效行动取决于在最需要的地方和最需要的时候集中精力的能力。这是区分主次的能力，无论什么行业都非常需要的技能，尤其在众多机会与干扰面前。

2. Keeping a clean, organized space.
保持空间清洁有序
Successful people have systems in place to help them find what they need when they need it – they can quickly locate the information required to support their activities. When you’re disorganized, that extra time spent looking for a phone number, email address or a certain file forces you to drop your focus. Once it’s gone, it takes a while to get it back – and that’s where the real time is wasted. Keeping both your living and working spaces organized is crucial.
成功人士的空间安排有条不紊，有助于他们及时找到所需要的东西。他们能迅速定位支持他们活动所需要的信息。如果你的空间很凌乱，搜寻电话号码、查找邮箱地址或某个文件用去的额外时间将会转移你的注意力。一旦注意力分散了，再集中注意力还要花些时间——时间就这样溜走了。所以一定要保持生活和工作空间有序。

3. Critical thinking and information analysis.
批判性思维和信息分析
We are living in the information age where, on a daily basis, we are constantly exposed to an ever growing and rapidly changing pool of information. Being able to evaluate this information, sort the valuable from the trivial, analyze its relevance and meaning, and relate it to other information is a priceless skill with universal applicability.
我们生活在信息时代，每天被滚雪球般增多并且迅速变化的信息所包围。评估信息、筛选有价值信息、分析关联性和意图、并将所选信息与其他信息联系起来的技能十分重要，并具有通用性。

4. Logical, informed decision making.
作出合理明智的决定
Decision making is simply knowing what to do based on the information available. Being able to respond quickly and effectively with the information you have in your head is essential to accomplishing anything.
作出决定是在可利用信息的基础上明确做什么。利用已知信息作出快速有效的反应是成功的先决条件。

5. Using Google proficiently for online research.
熟练使用谷歌进行在线研究
You don’t have to know everything, but you should be able to quickly and painlessly find out what you need to know. Google is a gateway to nearly infinite knowledge; it has indexed websites containing information on just about everything and everyone. If you’re having trouble finding something using Google, it’s time to learn a few new tricks.
你不必了解所有天下事，但应具有快速直达所需知识的能力。谷歌是通往广博知识海洋的大门；它几乎将所有人和事的相关网页都编入了索引。如果在使用谷歌搜索时有困难，那你该学几样新招数了。

6. Basic accounting and money management.
基础会计和理财
It’s a simple fact that our modern society is governed by the constant exchange of money. Money allows you to maintain a roof over your head and put food on the table each night. Knowing how to properly manage your money – tracking and recording your expenses and income, saving and investing – is not only an important skill for thriving, it’s an important skill that helps you survive.
现代社会由不断的金钱交易所支配，这是不争的事实。有钱才能有房住，有钱才能让你衣食无忧。学会理财之道——跟踪记录支出与收入、储蓄和投资，这不仅是帮你发达的重要技能，也是帮你生存的重要技能。
7. Effective communication and negotiating.
有效沟通和磋商
Give the people in your life the information they need rather than expecting them to know the unknowable. Don’t try to read other people’s minds, and don’t make other people try to read yours. Most problems, big and small, within a family, friendship, or business relationship, start with bad communication. Speak honestly, and then give others a voice and show them that their words matter. And remember that compromise and effective negotiating are vital parts of effective communication.
给身边的人他们需要的信息，不要期望他们了解不可知的东西。不要费力气猜别人的心思，也不要让别人猜你的心思。家庭中、朋友间或商业关系中出现的大多数问题，不论大小， 都始于没有良好的沟通。坦诚地交流，就意味你在表示——他们的话对你很重要。记住让步和有效磋商是有效交流的关键。

8. Relaxation.
放松
Stress leads to poor health, poor decision-making, poor thinking, and poor socialization. So be attentive to your stress level and take short breaks when you need to. Slow down. Breathe. Give yourself permission to pause, regroup and move forward with clarity and purpose. When you’re at your busiest, a brief recess can rejuvenate your mind and increase your productivity. These short breaks will help you regain your sanity, and allow you to reflect on your recent actions so you can be sure they’re in line with your goals.
压力导致连锁反应——健康出问题、作出不明智的决定、产生歪曲的想法和引发不良的社会关系。所以留意压力水平，需要放松时就放松。放慢节奏、深呼吸。允许自己缓口气、重新振作，思路清晰目的明确地回到工作中。忙碌时，短暂休息帮助你恢复活力，提高工作效率。短暂休息帮助你恢复心智，有时间对近期行为进行反思，以确保工作进展顺利。

9. Proficient writing and note-taking.
善于写作、做笔记
The written word isn’t going away; it is used in every walk of life. Learning to write proficiently so that others can understand you is critical. Also, using your writing skills to take useful notes is one of the most productive things you can do, regardless of the task at hand. Writing things down – taking notes – helps us remember what we hear, see, or read when we’re learning something new, or trying to remember something specific.
记录下的文字随时可供参考，作记录适用于生活的方方面面。在写作时能让他人充分理解自己观点，这一技能至关重要。另外，不管你现在做什么工作，利用你的写作技能记录下有用的信息，是你能做的最高效的事情之一。记录信息、做笔记帮助我们记忆所见、所闻，帮助我们记忆学习新事物时读到的东西或努力想记住的特殊信息。

10. Relationship networking.
关系网
In a world dominated by constant innovation and information exchange, relationship networking creates the channel through which ideas and information flow, and in which new ideas are shared, discussed and perfected. A large relationship network, carefully cultivated, can be leveraged to meet the right people, find jobs, build businesses, learn about new trends, spread ideas, etc.
在一个被持续创新和信息交流所统治的世界里，关系网构建出思想与信息流通、分享和完善的平台。一个精心培植的大关系网是一种投资，在寻找你需要的人脉和工作机会、建立生意网、了解新动态、传播思想等方面提供机遇。

11. Positivity.
积极向上
Research shows that although we think that we act because of the way we feel, in fact, we often feel because of the way we act. A great attitude always leads to great experiences. People who think optimistically see the world as a place packed with endless opportunities, especially in trying times. Be positive, smile, and make it count. Pretend today is going to be great. Do so, and it will be.
研究显示，尽管我们认为感觉决定行为，事实上，我们做事的方式常常影响我们感受。积极的态度总是带给你良好体验。思想乐观的人认为这是一个机会无处不在的世界，尤其在艰难时期。保持乐观，面带微笑，使这种乐观态度发挥作用。假定今天是个好日子。如果你这样做了，今天就会是好日子。

12. Self-discipline.
自律
Self-discipline is a skill. It is the ability to focus and overcome distractions. It involves acting according to what you think instead of how you feel in the moment. It often requires sacrificing the pleasure and thrill for what matters most in life. Therefore it is self-discipline that drives you to succeed in the long-term.
自律是一种技能，是一种集中注意力、克服干扰的技能。这种技能教你理性做事，而非感性做事。它常常要求你为生活中最重要的事情而放弃快乐和兴奋。所以自律能带你走向成功。