Lately, I've talked to a bunch of people who are really good at what they do. Whether they're athletes, musicians, artists or doctors, these people possess the skills to excel at their given profession -- or at the very least, have a proficiency that makes me say, "Wow, you're good."
Which got me to thinking. I'm reasonably good at my job, but I don't possess any world-class skills. I can play a little guitar and piano, but I'm the farthest thing from a virtuoso. I can speak some French, but I'm not fluent. I can throw a baseball with some accuracy, but my fastball tops out at a Little League caliber 58 miles per hour.
I am, however, great at driving a car with a stick shift. I'm also really good at Photoshopping peoples' heads on other peoples' bodies.
You get the point.
I did a little soul searching and came up with six skills at which I really excel. I would've liked to offer 10, but I couldn't come up with that many (I left out debatable picks like hilarious and pithy writer). Unfortunately, said skills are not particularly marketable, nor do they qualify for any medals that I can think of.
But they're all I've got. Here are my top six best, but least marketable skills:
Parallel parking: When I lived on the East Side, I was famous for being able to park a car in a space just inches longer than my car. And I could do it with so much as touching a bumper. Every night, I found the space that other parkers wouldn't dare try. But time after time, I eased in with a few deft maneuvers. Unfortunately, since buying a house with a garage in 2002, my skills have eroded a bit. I'm still good, just not world-class good. Practical application: Mailman? Though I think letter carriers are allowed to double park.
Guessing the total amount on groceries without going over: I'm a terrible grocery shopper (according to my wife), since I usually buy mostly junk food, cookies and frozen dinners. But at the end of the shopping experience is where I really shine. As I prepare to pay the cashier, I always make my prediction of the grand total, without going over. Frequently, I'm within $10, and on a few occasions I've landed within a buck. The cashier is never impressed, but I am. Practical application: "The Price is Right" contestant? Come on down!
Not paying retail: This isn't the same thing as being cheap. I never haggle; I find it embarrassing for both parties. But I'm good at spotting a bargain, and saving money allows me to buy more stuff! Maybe it's just because I do exhaustive research whenever making a big purchase, but I work the angles every time. Case in point, getting 10 percent off my BMW for doing the European Delivery Program. Or taking hundreds of dollars off my HDTV for taking advantage of Sears' price-match policy plus 10 percent, then opening a Sears card for an additional discount - and getting them to throw in a DVD player for free. Or buying a new Seiko Kinetic watch on eBay for 75 percent less than the one I saw at Boston Store. Practical application: Personal shopper? Maybe, but only if I could wear a butler's uniform while doing it.
Knowing exactly what time I'll show up: This was actually the genesis of this blog. The other day, a friend suggested we meet up for a drink in Bay View. I was on the Marquette Interchange, and I said, "See you in nine minutes." Exactly nine minutes later, I rolled up. This certainly has to be tied to my innate sense of direction (see below). Practical application: Sherpa? Human GPS? Winning bets with your passengers?
Eating really fast: Until just recently, this "skill" seemed more like a curse. I can't help it, when I see food on my plate, I eat it really quickly. I know it's not good for digestion or portion control -- so sue me. But with a newborn in the house, this skill just came in handy. I can wolf down a meal while the baby sleeps, and by the time she's awake and crying, I'm ready to go. Practical application: Competitive eating contests? Actually, I'd surely lose, because I can eat quickly, but not mass quantities.
Inability to get lost: In Wisconsin, I feel like I always know where I am. It's like I can sense that the Lake is to the east at all times, and thus, I have a great sense of direction here. I can imagine addresses, and with the exception of downtown Wauwatosa and Waukesha, I never feel turned around. To a lesser extent, I can pick up the lay of the land in other cities very quickly, too. The other exception to this, so far, is Europe. Paris and Strasbourg were befuddling to me during our trip there in March. Practical application: Taxi driver? Truck driver? Mapquest employee?
Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.
Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.
Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.
