Ask HN: What skills do you want to develop or improve in 2025?

Hacker News Discussion ↗

Product marketing, sales & entrepreneurship

  • Many want to improve marketing/sales to get actual paying customers for SaaS, indie apps, or physical products.
  • Common realization: “build it and they will come” fails; traffic and repetition matter more than clever one-offs.
  • Suggestions include: structuring landing pages better, mastering Google/Facebook ads and analytics, pricing psychology, strong brand/logos, and clear free-vs-paid value.
  • Some warn entrepreneurship can be an even harder “rat race,” and urge freelancing or keeping expectations realistic.

Technical skills & CS depth

  • Popular targets: Rust, Nix, ML/AI (often via Andrew Ng or fast.ai), Git (esp. rebase), Kubernetes/CKA, Elixir/functional programming, Ada, AWK, CS fundamentals (“Nand2Tetris”, TeachYourselfCS), desktop apps, embedded/FPGA, container runtimes, CI/CD, DevOps, and self‑hosting.
  • Several want to move beyond web/frontend into systems, databases, networking, or bare‑metal work.
  • Some plan certifications (AWS, Kubernetes, RHCSA) to formalize knowledge.

Writing, blogging & communication

  • Many aim to write more: essays, technical blogs, fiction, emails, documentation, or even poetry.
  • Struggles include perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and context‑dependent writing ability.
  • Advice: publish imperfect posts, write for oneself, state uncertainty clearly, and use search data (e.g., Search Console) to guide topics.

Math, formal study & learning tools

  • Numerous people want to “do more math,” prep for physics/AI degrees, or rebuild rusty foundations.
  • Math Academy is repeatedly praised for diagnostics, spaced repetition, and clear knowledge graphs; some share detailed progress and renewed confidence.
  • Others recommend Anki, “Learning How to Learn,” statistics/probability texts, and structured ML/math courses.

Languages, arts & physical skills

  • Language goals: German, Spanish, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin, English fluency. Methods include immersion, tutors, SRS (Anki), specialized courses, and content platforms.
  • Creative/craft aims: game art, Blender, pottery, sewing/tailoring, film photography, music, piano, dance, magic, woodworking, drawing, animation, Rubik’s cubing, and clothing fabrication.
  • Fitness goals: running (5K to marathon), strength training, swimming, yoga, climbing, better sleep, and general health.

Parenting, relationships & mental health

  • New and experienced parents want to “learn how to parent,” read key baby/parenting books, and accept it as an ongoing journey.
  • Others focus on social skills, deeper connection, relationship skills, and learning to forgive.
  • Many want better habits, discipline, time management, and reduced phone/social media usage.
  • ADHD is a major theme: dopamine‑driven habits, hobby‑jumping, and procrastination. Opinions split on habit books and ADHD coaching; some recommend occupational therapists instead.

Life philosophy & “non-goals”

  • Several emphasize mental fortitude, stoicism/Buddhist practices, living in the present, separating work from life, and allowing themselves not to constantly upskill.
  • A recurring subtheme: choosing fewer, more meaningful goals over endless technical stacking.