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1/ I love to learn. This is a strength, but it can also be a weakness.
Often, I'll get so excited about a new online course, I'll sign up right away. Then, I'll find myself trying to juggle too many projects and learning commitments…
A few thoughts on choosing what to learn:
Often, I'll get so excited about a new online course, I'll sign up right away. Then, I'll find myself trying to juggle too many projects and learning commitments…
A few thoughts on choosing what to learn:
2/ Usually the metric I'll use to make a decision is to ensure it meets one of two criteria:
- Does it help me achieve a new goal (e.g. my teaching me a new tool)?
- Does it help me achieve an existing goal (e.g. by improving my competence with a tool)
- Does it help me achieve a new goal (e.g. my teaching me a new tool)?
- Does it help me achieve an existing goal (e.g. by improving my competence with a tool)
3/ With new goals, I have to be careful. Is the underlying goal truly important, or is it the shiny new tool that's attracting me?
The novelty of a tool will eventually wear off –– so the best way to ensure I stick with it is by having a strong OUTPUT goal that motivates me.
The novelty of a tool will eventually wear off –– so the best way to ensure I stick with it is by having a strong OUTPUT goal that motivates me.
4/ With existing goals, it's important to consider the law of diminishing returns.
Even if I use a tool every day, it doesn't mean learning more about the tool will help me.
If I’m at "80% proficiency", new knowledge won't really change my output. Better to invest elsewhere.
Even if I use a tool every day, it doesn't mean learning more about the tool will help me.
If I’m at "80% proficiency", new knowledge won't really change my output. Better to invest elsewhere.
5/ Overall, the key is tying back learning opportunities with output goals.
In my case, my goals had gotten a bit fuzzy –– I hadn't done a planning session in a while.
So I spent a few hours planning. Once I did that, it became obvious what was actually worth investing in.
In my case, my goals had gotten a bit fuzzy –– I hadn't done a planning session in a while.
So I spent a few hours planning. Once I did that, it became obvious what was actually worth investing in.
6/ All that said, this doesn't mean you simply dismiss learning goals entirely.
Instead, prioritize learning by *doing*.
Rather than waiting till you take & finish a course, or watch that video, or read that book...
Just try and do it. See what happens. Learn. Repeat.
Instead, prioritize learning by *doing*.
Rather than waiting till you take & finish a course, or watch that video, or read that book...
Just try and do it. See what happens. Learn. Repeat.
7/ Also check out this excellent thread by @jackbutcher on why learning alone is not progress: https://twitter.com/jackbutcher/status/1243550229854670854?s=20
