What is a tool, "way of doing things" or maybe even ability, that you often use and not many people think is even an option?

[msmissydc]

What is something you think more people should know about, that you rarely see but is a valid option to use or do, that many people just dont know is a possibility?

I think its hard to explain so I give you an example: So it is often the case, that a lot of good, valid information and or sources are behind paywalls or only available in expensive books. Normal Libraries rarely have that. A lot of people dont know, that a lot of university libraries have access to those things. You can register at most university libraries like a normal library and get access to books, and papers that costs a lot of money otherwise, even without working there or being a student.

Once registered it is often even possible to access a lot of scientific magazines or books by just using a vpn to the library.

I think its a skill and tool that would help a lot of people to stay factual in arguments and not require a use of unreliable information that basically is an opinion instead of a source for a valid fact.

[caring__1]

One of the key tools I find lacking in most people is the ability to communicate. Never assume you already know how, as talking and communicating are totally different things. Schools are not interested in teaching basic communication skills, which I find appalling. Find a professional who can teach you the basic skills, though learn with someone close to you, as you want to have someone to practice with. Though the skills aren't difficult, they are different enough from what you normally hear that having someone to practice with can be helpful to get over the hump in the learning curve.

The key difference between talking and communicating is talking is sharing details and superficial things, while communication is gaining a deeper understanding of how the other person sees things. Truly hearing others rather than insisting on being heard will draw people closer and help them feel safer. View things through the eyes of others rather than insisting you're always right and they're always wrong.

Everyone has a perspective, and the perspective of one isn't a judgment of another. Show others you want to understand their perspective if you want them to respect your perspective. Never demand that which you're not willing to give.

[msmissydc]

Oh yes I totally agree. Talking is only one part of communication. I do think understanding the theory behind a simple communication model, can help being more open about actually trying to learn communication in practice.

[caring__1]

Generally, women ask me to teach their partner how to communicate. They claim they are great communicators, while their partner is a lousy communicator. I generally find the women are just as bad as the guys... they just talk all the time.

[Sixgunsound]

Is that library hack only available in Germany, because I am about to graduate From library school in the US this is the first I've ever heard of that. We take private property a lot more seriously than socialist countries do, especially subscription based IP that libraries pay a lot of money for, but if I find out it's true I'll definitely be sharing it.

[msmissydc]

We are not a socialist country. I dont know if its available in every country but I am sure its not only in germany. Yes the "library hack" is especially worth for peer revied, subscription based, science magazines. These cost a fortune otherwise. I mean it can't hurt to ask in a university library.
Also I am in contact with a university professor and his opinion is, that a lot of these are used too rarely to be worth it, but on the other hand too much needed to stay up to date in your field.

[Sixgunsound]

I would love to see American universities open their libraries to the public, but American universities are too greedy and elitist to do that, in my opinion.

[msmissydc]

Which is funny because they charge soooo much more than they do here. They could at least make the library free for other people and they wouldn't loose any money. Also I have to say this because it may be misunderstood otherwise: In some cases its not free here, but its affordable and mostly less than a normal library fee. Also this with some exceptions only works with libraries that are often part of a university but legally their own institution. On the other hand that is the case most of the time, people just dont know about it.

[Sixgunsound]

Thank you for MHO

[TrueConfection]

I'll make phone calls from a landline, I run my hands on a piece of stainless steel to get the onion and garlic smell off, I pin safety pins on the inside of clothing that has static cling to discharge the static, I use dryer sheets to keep a mouse out of my kitchen sink cabinet... That's all I can think of at the moment that probably aren't too commonly used.

[TrueConfection]

Thank you for the MHO ❤