The Most Important Skill To Learn

Why AI Can't Replace People Who Have Agency

Why do some engineers succeed... while others stay stuck forever?

Most developers think it's because of talent. Or intelligence. Or luck.

But the truth?

None of those are the real reason.

School Got It All Backwards

In school, we're told: "Get the right answer." "Don't mess up." "Color inside the lines."

But in real life? That advice falls apart.

You don't win by being perfect. You win by figuring things out — even when you have no clue where to start.

Let me prove it to you:

How did you learn to ride a bike?

You fell. Then you got up. Then you fell again.

That's real learning. And schools never taught us that.

The Secret Superpower Nobody Tells You About

There's one skill that's more important than any degree, talent, or app you know.

It's not math. Not coding. Not science.

It's called agency.

Agency means:

"I don't know how... but I'll figure it out."

It's not waiting for permission. It's not waiting to be taught.

It's starting. Messy. Scared. Confused. But starting anyway.

And guess what?

The people who succeed in life aren't the smartest.

They're the ones who keep moving when they don't know what to do.

Most Engineers Only See Two Kinds of Problems

Easy ones. And impossible ones.

If it's easy, they'll do it. If it's hard, they'll say, "Not for me."

But there's a third kind.

The "Not Yet" problems.

You're not good at it... yet. You don't understand it... yet.

That little word changes everything.

"I'm not good at this." → ❌ "I'm not good at this yet." → ✅

One keeps you stuck. The other sets you free.

Why AI Is A Bigger Threat Than You Think

Engineers are scared that AI will take their jobs.

And they should be - if they act like robots.

AI will replace people who follow instructions. Who wait to be told what to do. Who never ask "What else is possible?"

But it can't replace people who think for themselves. Who adapt. Who take messy action.

If you can say, "I'll figure it out," you're already ahead of 90% of the world.

How To Grow Your Agency Muscle

Agency is like a muscle. And just like muscles, it grows when you use it.

Here's how:

1. Pick something you don't know how to do.

2. Try it.

3. Fail.

4. Learn.

5. Try again.

Do that 100 times?

You'll become unstoppable.

The Tool Trap

A lot of people confuse who they are… with what they do.

"I'm a designer." "I'm a developer." "I'm a marketer."

But tools change.

AI draws. AI codes. AI writes.

If your identity is tied to a single tool, you're in danger.

Because what happens when that tool becomes obsolete?

But if your identity is: "I'm a learner. I figure things out." Then nothing can stop you.

The Final Twist

Nobody knows what the world will look like in 10 years. Not your teachers. Not your parents. Not even Elon Musk.

So how do you prepare?

You don't pick the perfect skill. You build the perfect mindset.

A mindset that says:

• "I can figure it out."

• "I can try, fail, and try again."

• "I'll never stop learning."

That's the skill that beats AI, outlasts trends, and never goes out of style.