Chapter 20

Practical Skills

You need to know how to manage your own shelter, food, and tools. If something breaks in your house, don’t immediately reach for your phone to call a repairman. Pick up a spanner, examine the problem closely, and try to understand how it works. Knowing how to fix a leaky pipe, patch a hole in the wall, or rewire a plug gives you a quiet confidence that money simply cannot buy. Every man should know how to change a fuse or light bulb, replace a tap washer, unblock a toilet, wash dishes, vacuum, clean their home, and mow the lawn or do basic gardening. Additionally, he should be able to top up a car’s oil, water, and antifreeze, change a tyre, and connect jump leads. It also helps to keep a solid set of tools on hand.

The same rule applies to what you consume and how you manage your resources. You should know how to cook a wholesome meal from scratch using simple ingredients. And you should understand how to manage your money so that you are never enslaved by debt; if you get into financial trouble and ruin your credit file, you won’t be able to borrow a penny when you actually need to in the future. When you take responsibility for these small, practical aspects of your daily existence, you stop relying on others and finally start doing for yourself. Walk through life with the certainty that you can handle whatever minor breakdowns come your way, and you will find deep personal satisfaction in knowing that you are completely self-sufficient.