Human beings are naturally curious, it’s why you’re reading this article. We watch the news, browse social media, read books, and any number of activities based on curiosity. When a particular subject happens to peak our interest, we spend the time learning everything we can about it. What many people fail to realize is there are 3 ways to gain knowledge. Each option has it’s potential for saving time or money. Choosing the right path to knowledge could save you time, money, and deepen your understanding of the subject matter. Below, we’ll cover the top 3 learning shortcuts to success, so you can reach your goals more efficiently.
Straightcuts to Success
When learning something new, many of us start by Googling the topic, watching a couple Youtube videos, and reading a few articles. This is the beginning of what I’ll call a straightcut. Straightcuts require you to put in a lot of effort at the expense of time. The information you gather will come from a variety of sources and your knowledge will grow as you put in the hours. The following is a list of sources you may learn from.
Straightcut sources
- Books
- Youtube videos
- Podcasts
- Articles
- Personal experience
- Webinars
- Meetups
These are just a few sources of information that someone may learn from. The main issue with straightcuts alone is that it takes time to gather and learn the information. You’ll be learning from a hodgepodge of informational resources, some of which may contain incorrect information. However, given time, dedication, and persistence, you will grow your knowledge base and potential for success.
Shortcuts to Success
Shortcuts to success are what I consider to be curated content for a specific goal. College is the best example of a shortcut as it provides just that. Take for example someone who wishes to become an accountant. They would take specific classes over a few years and gain the knowledge necessary to work in the field professionally. Contrast that with a straightcut where one would learn through a number of different sources, some of which may be lacking in quality. The following is a list of shortcut options you may take advantage of.
Shortcut sources
- Basic education
- College education
- Local classes
- Conventions/Seminars
- Online courses
- Certificate programs
Nearly all of us have experienced at least one of these shortcuts. We start with basic education and proceed with college or trade school to develop a specific skillset. The information we learn has been developed and refined for generations, giving us knowledge that took others a lifetime to develop. Can you imagine hiring a surgeon with little knowledge and no experience? Ridiculous, right?…Thankfully there are college classes that help aspiring doctors learn the correct information as opposed to trial and error. These education shortcuts are crucial to learn the necessary skills in a shorter amount of time. They may cost money, but they’ll save you countless hours, which is far more valuable than money.
Smartcuts to Success
Smartcuts are the most effective and efficient way to learn because you work directly with the working professional. They are a wealth of information and will guide you in the right direction, helping you avoid costly pitfalls. Their proven track record will speak to their success and given proper guidance, will lead to your own. Smartcuts are especially helpful when it comes to industries that are difficult to master such as investing. Can you imagine working alongside Warren Buffet everyday, I imagine his knowledge and advice would launch your own success.
Smartcuts can be found all around us by seeking out people with greater knowledge. Those who have mastered a particular skill you wish to acquire will take you from amateur to professional in a much shorter period of time. The important thing is that you must bring some form of value to the table in order to create a fair exchange. Do this and you’ll gain a professional skillset in a fraction of the time.
Your Shortcut to Success
Achieving success in your chosen field will take time, dedication, and persistence. Thankfully these shortcuts can help you realize success at a much quicker pace. You can choose a select number of shortcuts, but the fastest way is to employ all three. If you’re serious about becoming who you want to be, you should have no problem reading books, attending conferences, listening to podcasts, earning a college degree, taking online courses, and seeking out mentorship from the industries top professionals. The best investment you can make is in yourself. When you realize you’re capable of achieving what you want in life, it’s up to you to take action.
This article was inspired by Gonzalo Paternoster whom I recently met at a local networking event. He coined the “smartcut” as a way to learn from the best. His insight and business knowledge proved that smartcuts really do propel your knowledge to another level.
What short/smartcuts have you found most effective in life? Leave any comments or questions below!
