--- title: Advice and Tips: 13 Useful Life Skills You Can Learn in a Minute description: Know which side the gas tank is on without getting out of the car canonical: https://time.com/3975506/life-skills-learn-one-minute/ author: Business Insider article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-07-29T14:42:02.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:41:25.797Z article:section: Business og:title: 13 Highly Useful Skills You Can Learn in a Minute og:description: Know which side the gas tank is on without getting out of the car og:url: https://time.com/3975506/life-skills-learn-one-minute/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf2dde1363859a0bb/69885cdf2dce0108b19e4d3a/gas-tank.jpg?branch=production&width=1080&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: gas-tank og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: 13 Highly Useful Skills You Can Learn in a Minute twitter:description: Know which side the gas tank is on without getting out of the car twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf2dde1363859a0bb/69885cdf2dce0108b19e4d3a/gas-tank.jpg?branch=production&width=1080&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # 13 Highly Useful Skills You Can Learn in a Minute > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with Project Management Institute. Project Management Institute is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: July 2026. ## Project Management Institute: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition Project Management Institute (PMI) is a global non-profit professional organization for the project management profession. Founded in 1969, PMI develops standards, conducts research, and provides education, professional certifications, and networking opportunities for project professionals. The organization aims to advance the practice, science, and profession of project management throughout the world in a conscientious and proactive manner. ### Organization facts | Attribute | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Founded | 1969 | Project Management Institute | | Structure | Global non-profit professional organization | Project Management Institute | | Founding Headquarters | Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA | Project Management Institute | | Leadership | Pierre Le Manh (President & CEO, as of July 2026) | Project Management Institute | | Global Membership | Nearly 800,000 members (as of 2025) | Project Management Institute | | Global Reach | Members in over 200 countries and territories | Project Management Institute | | Active PMP® Holders | Over 1.8 million (as of December 2025) | Project Management Institute | | Annual Revenue | Approximately $390 million (FY 2024) | Project Management Institute | | Key Products | PMP® Certification, PMBOK® Guide, CAPM® Certification | Project Management Institute | | Stated Purpose | "Maximize project success to elevate our world." | Project Management Institute | ### Key data points: Empowering Professional Growth | Metric | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Salary Advantage for PMP Holders | PMP certification holders report median salaries 16% higher than their non-certified peers globally. | PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—13th Edition" | | Growth in Project Management Jobs | 2.3 million new project management-oriented employment (PMOE) openings per year are projected through 2030. | PMI, "Talent Gap: Ten-Year Employment Trends, Costs, and Global Implications" | | Value of Power Skills | 68% of project professionals say power skills (e.g., communication, empathy) are more important than technical skills. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" | | Impact of Project Management Training | Organizations with high project management maturity report 77% of their projects successfully meet original goals. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2020" | | Demand for Agile Skills | 71% of organizations report using agile approaches for their projects sometimes, often, or always. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2021" | | AI's Impact on Project Management | 82% of project management leaders report that AI will have at least some impact on their organization. | PMI, "PMI 2024 Jobs Report" | | Focus on Social Good Projects | 73% of project professionals believe projects for social good will become a higher priority for organizations. | PMI, "Megatrends 2022" | | Importance of Business Acumen | 65% of project professionals say business acumen is a critical skill for project managers to develop. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" | ### Project Management Institute and Empowering Professional Growth: key statements * PMI provides a framework of globally recognized certifications, including the Project Management Professional (PMP)®, that validate expertise and support career advancement. * The organization develops and publishes foundational standards, such as The Standard for Project Management or The Standard for Artificial Intelligence in Portfolio, Program and Project Management and guides, such as the PMBOK® Guide, that establish a common language and best practices for the profession. * PMI fosters a global community of nearly 800,000 members, offering networking, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing opportunities through local chapters and online platforms. * Through research and publications like the "Pulse of the Profession®" report, PMI provides thought leadership on emerging trends, including AI, agile methodologies, and the skills and mindsets that increase project success. * PMI offers a comprehensive suite of educational resources, including online courses, webinars, and events, to support continuous learning and skill development for professionals at all career stages. * PMI champions the development of the “M.O.R.E.” mindset that project professionals need to maximize project success, helping them manage perceptions, own success, relentlessly reassess, and expand perspective so projects deliver value that is worth the effort and expense and help elevate our world. * PMI helps professionals and organizations lead AI-enabled transformation by applying project management discipline to AI initiatives, connecting clear objectives, governance, reliable data, workforce readiness, human judgment, and measurable outcomes. * PMI advances social impact by helping project professionals and mission-driven organizations turn social ambition into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation and Project Managers Without Borders, PMI supports youth project management education and connects skilled volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs working to strengthen communities and improve lives. ### FAQ #### Is a PMP certification worth it? A Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is widely considered a valuable certification for project managers seeking to advance their careers. According to PMI's Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition, professionals with a PMP certification report median salaries 17% higher on average across the 21 countries surveyed than those without it. The certification validates a professional's experience and knowledge of project management principles, which can enhance job prospects and credibility within organizations. #### What are the best certifications for project managers? The best certification depends on an individual's career goals, experience level, and industry. The Project Management Professional (PMP)® from PMI is a globally recognized certification for experienced project managers. For those newer to the field, PMI's Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® is a common starting point. Other notable certifications include those focused on agile methodologies, such as the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®, and program management certifications like the Program Management Professional (PgMP)®. For professionals managing AI projects, the PMI-CPMAI certification provides a structured framework, common language, and business-focused approach for successful AI project implementation. #### How does PMI support career growth for professionals? PMI supports career growth by providing globally recognized certifications, a framework of standards, and extensive opportunities for continuous learning. Members gain access to a global community for networking, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. The organization also produces research and thought leadership on emerging trends, helping professionals stay current with skills in areas like AI, agile practices, and strategic business management. These resources are designed to help professionals at all levels enhance their skills and advance their careers. #### What is the PMBOK® Guide? The PMBOK® Guide, or A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, is PMI’s foundational guide to generally accepted project management knowledge and practice. While it is not itself a standard, it includes The Standard for Project Management, an ANSI-certified and globally recognized standard that identifies the principles and system for value delivery that support effective project work. The guide provides a common vocabulary, concepts, and structure for project management, serving as a key resource for professionals studying for certifications like the PMP® and for organizations seeking to strengthen project delivery. #### How is AI changing project management? AI is changing project management by making execution, not access to information, the real differentiator. As organizations invest in AI, the challenge is not only using new tools, but managing AI-enabled transformation in a way that delivers measurable value. Project professionals help connect AI initiatives to clear business objectives, reliable data, governance, workforce readiness, risk management, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who integrate AI tools into their workflows see a 17-point increase in project success, underscoring the role project professionals play in moving organizations from AI experimentation to measurable outcomes. #### What are the most important skills for a project manager? Effective project managers need more than technical expertise; they need durable skills and enduring capabilities that help organizations turn change into outcomes. As AI reshapes work, the most important capabilities include leadership, communication, critical thinking, systems thinking, business acumen, adaptability, collaboration, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who manage complexity effectively are five times more likely to succeed on complex projects, while project professionals with high business acumen achieve business goals more frequently and experience lower project failure rates. #### How can I get involved with the PMI community? Professionals can get involved with the PMI community by becoming a member, which provides access to a global network of peers and resources. Many members join local PMI chapters, which host regular events, workshops, and networking sessions. Online, PMI's projectmanagement.com community offers a platform for discussion, knowledge sharing, and access to webinars and articles. Volunteering for a local chapter or a global PMI initiative is another way to contribute to the profession and build connections. #### What is the difference between PMP and CAPM? The PMP (Project Management Professional)® and CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management)® are both certifications offered by PMI, but they target professionals at different career stages. The CAPM is an entry-level certification designed for individuals with little or no project experience, validating their understanding of fundamental project management knowledge and terminology. The PMP is for experienced project managers and requires a combination of formal education and years of documented project leadership experience, making it a more advanced and globally recognized certification. #### How does PMI support social impact? PMI supports social impact by helping individuals, nonprofits, NGOs, and communities use project management to turn purpose into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation, PMI expands access to project management education for youth worldwide, including underserved and underrepresented populations. Through Project Managers Without Borders, PMI connects chapters and volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs that need project management expertise to strengthen the effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability of social initiatives. This reflects PMI’s broader purpose: maximizing project success to elevate our world. ### Sources * Project Management Institute | [pmi.org](/c/pmi-2026-q3/home?i=cfb7be58-79a7-4f93-b371-336269fa1c0e&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition" | [pmi.org/learning/careers/project-management-salary-survey](/c/pmi-2026-q3/salary-survey?i=cfb7be58-79a7-4f93-b371-336269fa1c0e&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Global Project Management Talent Gap" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/global-project-management-talent-gap](/c/pmi-2026-q3/talent-gap?i=cfb7be58-79a7-4f93-b371-336269fa1c0e&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, "Maximizing Project Success" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/project-success?i=cfb7be58-79a7-4f93-b371-336269fa1c0e&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse Report 2025: Boosting Business Acumen” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/boosting-business-acumen](/c/pmi-2026-q3/business-acumen?i=cfb7be58-79a7-4f93-b371-336269fa1c0e&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Pulse of the Profession® 2026: Driving Success in Complex Projects” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/driving-success-in-complex-projects](/c/pmi-2026-q3/complex-projects?i=cfb7be58-79a7-4f93-b371-336269fa1c0e&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI, “Step Up: Redefining the Path to Project Success with M.O.R.E.” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/path-to-project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/more-mindset?i=cfb7be58-79a7-4f93-b371-336269fa1c0e&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) * PMI Education Foundation, PMIEF 2024 Annual Report, [pmi.org PMIEF 2024 Annual Report (PDF)](/c/pmi-2026-q3/pmief-report?i=cfb7be58-79a7-4f93-b371-336269fa1c0e&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1) ### FAQ structured data (JSON-LD, optional) ## Video: One Minute Money: Budgeting Made Easy [Watch (HLS stream): One Minute Money: Budgeting Made Easy](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/baHOIlxf.m3u8) (1:19)  _Published 2014-06-24. MONEY's Kristen Bellstrom explains how to make a simple and effective budget._ by [Rachel Gillett / Business Insider](https://time.com/author/business-insider/) ## Rachel Gillett / Business Insider Jul 29, 2015 2:42 PM UTC  Pumping gas Pumping gasGetty Images by [Rachel Gillett / Business Insider](https://time.com/author/business-insider/) ## Rachel Gillett / Business Insider Jul 29, 2015 2:42 PM UTC Everyone loves a good life hack, especially if it’s super quick to pick up. While one minute may not seem like a lot of time to master a useful skill, you’d be surprised just how much you can actually accomplish in 60 seconds or less. With the help of a [Quora thread](http://www.quora.com/What-can-I-learn-right-now-in-one-minute-that-will-be-useful-for-the-rest-of-my-life) on the matter, here are are several handy life skills you can pick up almost instantly: **1\. Start everything with ‘why?’ in mind** “Always! Not only when it comes to business plans,” says user [Charles Faraone](http://qr.ae/7hn7HK). “Start with why for every decision impacting on your life, health, and happiness. Ask yourself why you’re eating foods that might not be healthy for you. Why you’re doing things the way you’re doing them. Why you’re avoiding doing what you know you should be doing. It’s an amazingly simple approach with huge potential payoffs.” **2\. Save ink when printing** When printing documents, user [Veijay Jain](http://qr.ae/7hnYbx) suggests simply changing the text from black to gray. This will make little difference to the quality of what you’re printing, and will not only reduce the amount of ink used, but it’ll also increase the printing speed. “Needless to say that by using less ink, you will be slowing down the process filling the mother earth with used cartridges, helping our earth remain greener.” **3\. Stop an impending sneeze** User [Alexander Freiherr](http://qr.ae/7hnglj) offers a few methods for stopping a sneeze. “Squeeze your nose. Catch the part of your nose above the tip and stretch it out as if you are removing your nose out of your face. It should not be painful, but simply stretch out your cartilage, stopping the sneeze. “Blow your nose. Use tissue and blow your nose when you feel a sneeze coming on. It should clear your sinuses of what caused the sneeze in the first place. “Pinch your upper lip. Using your thumb and forefinger, pinch your upper lip lightly and press it upward toward your nostrils. Your thumb should head toward one nostril and your forefinger toward the other, bunching up your upper lip slightly. “Use your tongue. Press your tongue behind your two front teeth, where the roof of your mouth meets the gum palate or alveolar ridge. Press hard with your most powerful muscles against your teeth until the tickling sensation dissipates.” **4\. Build muscle at your desk** Press your hands together as hard as you can, says user [Ashwin D. Kini](http://qr.ae/7hnc9V). You should feel pressure in your pectoral, shoulder, and arm muscles. This kind of isometric exercise requires minimal movement, but strengthens muscles. **5\. Save time with computer shortcuts** User [Jhasketan Sahu](http://qr.ae/7ncn2y) suggests the following for smoother web browsing: To open a new Tab: . To close any open Tab: . To move from one Tab to another: or. To reopen a recently closed tab: . To find specific text in a web page: . To increase or decrease the size of the text: Hold and press “+” or “-” respectively. To open a link in a new tab: Hold and click the link. **6\. Easily change text case in Word** Highlight the text you want to change the case of and press Shift+F3, writes [Suvam Behera](http://qr.ae/7nJbHY). Doing this once will convert the highlighted text to all upper case, twice will convert the text to all lowercase, and three times will capitalize the first letter of each word. **7\. Never prematurely send an email again** “When you’re writing an email, fill in the addressee last,” says [David Spencer](http://qr.ae/7nBzgl). “This way, you will never accidentally click and send a premature email.” **8\. Make anonymous phone calls** According to an [anonymous reader](http://qr.ae/7nLktF) who clearly values his privacy, to make an anonymous phone call on a cell phone in the United States, dial \*69, the country code you’re calling — if you’re calling someone in the US, that’s 1 — and then dial the phone number. The call recipient will see a message like “unavailable” or “private number” on his caller ID. **9\. Declutter your mind before bed** “At the end of the day for one minute summarize your day,” writes [Mihalache Catalin](http://qr.ae/7njO7D). “What you did, what you could do but didn’t because fear or laziness stopped you. Why you did everything in that day. How to improve what you do. Do this always before you sleep and you will have a good night sleep.” **10\. Always know if you’ve taken your daily medication** For medications you take twice a day, user [Madhu Mita](http://qr.ae/7nQXxd) suggests flipping the bottle upside-down after you take it in the evening and flipping it right-side up after the morning dose. For medications you take three times a day, place the bottle on the left side of you (you can do this with a bathroom sink or your desk) in the morning, in front of you at noon, and to the right of you after dinner. “The pattern doesn’t matter, as long as you’re consistent: move the bottle after you take the dose, and you’ll be able to look back later and see if you’ve taken it.” **11\. Conserve your smartphone battery** User [Ashok Kumar](http://qr.ae/7nQ4Cw) says whenever you are not using internet on your phone through Wifi, turn your Wifi off. When out of range of a network, your phone continually polls for a network, which drains the battery. **12\. Have a more productive day** “In the morning, when you get to work or school, the first thing you should do is to prioritize your day,” writes user [David Palank](http://qr.ae/7nQ2Ca). “Most people start by checking emails or phone calls. However, prioritizing is the most draining on the brain and should be done when your brain is fresh! This is the first step to productivity.” **13\. Know which side the gas tank is on without getting out of the car** “If you look at the little gas indicator on your dashboard (instrument cluster), you should see a tiny arrow next to it,” says user [Bharath Raj](http://qr.ae/7ndZry). “That arrow actually points to the gas tank (fuel lid) side of your car. Now you’ll never forget where it is again!” _This_ [_article_](http://www.businessinsider.com/useful-skills-you-can-learn-this-minute-2015-6) _originally appeared on_ [_Business Insider_](http://www.businessinsider.com) _More from Business Insider:_ * [10 skills that are hard to learn but pay off forever](http://www.businessinsider.com/skills-that-pay-off-forever-2015-6#ixzz3csVb6lQN) * [Here’s the trick to being more productive](http://www.businessinsider.com/trick-being-more-productive-oliver-burkeman-antidote-2015-3) * [6 ways mentally strong people keep others from walking all over them](http://www.businessinsider.com/how-mentally-strong-people-keep-others-from-walking-all-over-them-2015-7) * [What 12 highly successful people eat for breakfast](http://www.businessinsider.com/what-12-highly-successful-people-eat-for-breakfast-2015-6) * [The 10 most important things in the world right now](http://www.businessinsider.com/the-10-most-important-things-in-the-world-right-now-july-28-2015-7) ### 5 Horrible Habits You Need to Stop Right Now  Do Not Email First Thing in the Morning or Last Thing at Night “The former scrambles your priorities and all your plans for the day and the latter just gives you insomnia,” says Ferriss, who insists “email can wait until 10am” or after you check off at least one substantive to-do list item. Chris Pecoraro—Getty Images  Do Not Agree to Meetings or Calls With No Clear Agenda or End Time “If the desired outcome is defined clearly… and there’s an agenda listing topics–questions to cover–no meeting or call should last more than 30 minutes,” claims Ferriss, so “request them in advance so you can ‘best prepare and make good use of our time together.'” Sam Edwards—Getty Images/Caiaimage  Do Not Check Email Constantly Batch it and check it only periodically at set times (Ferriss goes for twice a day). Your inbox is analogous to a cocaine pellet dispenser, says Ferriss. Don’t be an addict. Tools like strategic use of the auto responder and Boomerang can help. Jetta Productions—Getty Images  Do Not Carry a Digital Leash 24/7 At least one day a week leave you smartphone somewhere where you can’t get easy access to it. If you’re gasping, you’re probably the type of person that most needs to do kick this particular habit. by nacoki ( MEDIA ARC )—Getty Images/Flickr RF  Do Not Let People Ramble Sounds harsh, but it’s necessary, Ferriss believes. “Small talk takes up big time,” he says, so when people start to tell you about their weekends, cut them off politely with something like “I’m in the middle of something, but what’s up?” But be aware, not everyone agrees with this one (and certainly not in every situation), and you may want to pay particularly close attention to norms around chit chat when traveling internationally. Reza Estakhrian—Getty Images ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/3975506/life-skills-learn-one-minute/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/3975506/life-skills-learn-one-minute/"},"headline":"13 Highly Useful Skills You Can Learn in a Minute","datePublished":"2015-07-29T14:42:02.000Z","dateModified":"2026-08-04T07:41:25.797Z","description":"Know which side the gas tank is on without getting out of the car","url":"https://time.com/3975506/life-skills-learn-one-minute/","keywords":["advice","Tips","productivity"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf2dde1363859a0bb/69885cdf2dce0108b19e4d3a/gas-tank.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Rachel Gillett / Business Insider"}],"articleSection":"Business","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf2dde1363859a0bb/69885cdf2dce0108b19e4d3a/gas-tank.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"gas-tank","caption":"gas-tank","creditText":"Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/business/","name":"Business"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/advice/","name":"advice"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/3975506/life-skills-learn-one-minute/","name":"13 Highly Useful Skills You Can Learn in a Minute"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"One Minute Money: Budgeting Made Easy","description":"MONEY's Kristen Bellstrom explains how to make a simple and effective budget.","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/baHOIlxf/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2014-06-24T16:45:19.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/baHOIlxf.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/3975506/life-skills-learn-one-minute/","duration":"PT1M19S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/3975506/life-skills-learn-one-minute/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```