Read your books, study the material and practice, practice, practice. That’s the way to learn, right? I think that viewpoint is a bit too simplistic. In reality, the people you surround yourself with can be a catalyst for learning. I believe this is true even if they never give you a lesson or memorable piece […]
The Seven Major Beginner Mistakes
Starting anything new involves mistakes. Tons of them, if you plan on being good. Although you are supposed to learn from your mistakes, there are a few that often go ignored. These mistakes accompany the first phase of anything and it is easy to repeat them in everything new that you do. I don’t claim […]
Don’t Confuse a Degree with Learning
A few weeks ago I held an informal survey on this website. One of the questions was, “What do you want to learn?” I got back a myriad of responses but one trait stuck out. Many people answered that they wanted to get a particular degree or academic status. I’m worried when people start equating […]
9 Steps to Stop Information Poisoning
A small amount of water reduces thirst. A large amount can poison you. The same principle applies to information. A small, carefully chosen amount can enhance your ability to make smart decisions. Too much and you fare no better than chance. The negative effect of too much information has been demonstrated in studies. One study, […]
I'm a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, podcast host, computer programmer and an avid reader. Since 2006, I've published weekly essays on this website to help people like you learn and think better. My work has been featured in The New York Times, BBC, TEDx, Pocket, Business Insider and more. I don't promise I have all the answers, just a place to start.