Success Advice
4 Ways To Escape The Learning Trap
I remember when I first started learning the art of success and personal development. Every book that came my way I’d chuck into my Amazon cart and bodyslam the buy button. I would constantly add books to my future read list, too. There were easily enough titles on that list to publish a 50,000 word book. I wanted to learn everything.
It genuinely felt like I was being productive. But, one day it occurred to me that, despite the constant pursuit of information, I had nothing tangible to show for it. Instead I realized that I had an addiction. The drug was information. And in truth, all that I was doing was hiding from the real work—implementation.
Books, articles, training courses, podcasts, seminars. The amount of information available to us is colossal. But because of this, a problem presents itself. There’s not enough time in a lifetime to learn it all, let alone implement it.
Don’t get me wrong, learning is a beautiful thing. And we should never stop. However, if success is what we want in this lifetime, action needs to outweigh instruction.
Here are the 4 steps you can take to escape the learning trap and instead take action:
1. Set an action goal
No matter what information medium you use, always look to implement something that you learn. It’s okay to take notes throughout the book, but after you finish the book take just ONE actionable technique and implement it immediately. That’s your goal. Have this mindset before you undertake any learning task.
Take for example a book that gives advice about setting goals. If the book’s any good, it probably gives numerous action steps for setting goals such as jotting down your goals on paper, setting daily goals, monthly goals, yearly goals, reflecting on your past goals, etc.
Your job is to take one of those tips and implement it. An actionable step could be to take 15 minutes the following morning and write down your goals for that day.
“A goal is a dream with a deadline.” – Napoleon Hill
2. Focus on one subject at a time
At times it can be easy to ping-pong from subject to subject. Unfortunately, this leaves little time for focus and internalization of what was learned. So, if you’re studying marketing, study only marketing and implement techniques as you go.
Perhaps you were motivated to give public speaking a try after reading an article about it on Addicted2Success, but instead of implementing, you immediately jumped into an entirely different subject like how to bake cupcakes or something. Chances are your interest in public speaking would have evaporated. We are quick to forget things that aren’t in front of us. That’s why it’s important to take action while it’s fresh.
And this doesn’t mean that you have to dedicate the rest of your life to a single subject. You should, though, get a true grasp of the subject before abandoning ship.
Here’s what you could do instead: Devote 30 days to a single subject. During this time, choose two or three books on a subject, read them one at a time, and implement a single idea from each. That will give you a solid foundation on most subjects.
3. Don’t be a “guru hopper”
Whatever you are into, there’s a guru or two (or ten). It can be tempting to move from one expert to the next trying to devour everything that they’ve published before ever getting your hands dirty.
It’s been referred to as the “shiny new toy” syndrome, and it’s pretty accurate. Where you bounce around from one guru (or tool) to the next hoping they’ll bear the newest and shiniest secret that’s going to change your fortune overnight. You could find yourself in an endless search
Pace yourself. Pick one influencer and with each course, podcast, book, or whatever they offer, focus on implementation (see step 1).
4. Don’t get caught up on the “right” way
Just as there are countless sources of information, same can be said for the amount of ways there are to do something. Don’t ask yourself if you’re doing it the “right” way, just do it.
For instance, say you want to create a website. You watch a video or stumble upon a blog that walks you through setting up a WordPress site. “Excellent,” you say. But then, before doing it you cross paths with another info-peddler who tells you there’s a right and wrong way to create a website. Is your home page laid out correctly? Is it SEO optimized? Do you have the correct key words? Oh boy…Now you’re filled with doubt and uncertainty. You’ve been zapped into paralysis.
Relax my friend. There will always be better ways to do something, but revisions can be done as you go. Please just implement and create your darn website!
“Just do it” – Nike
We’re smothered in information. This is both amazing and dangerous. Amazing because of the opportunity we have to learn whatever we want; dangerous because we can mistake knowledge for progress. We need both to succeed. Just make sure action wears the pants in the relationship.
When are you going to start taking action on the 4 steps? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below!
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Akintayo
Aug 10, 2016 at 2:52 pm
Great one Matt. I’ve been a victim of all above especially the ‘paralysis’ one. I’m publishing that book!!!- my action step.
Matt Kramer
Aug 23, 2016 at 2:02 am
Awesome Akintayo! That’s an EXCELLENT action step 🙂
lauren brett
Mar 28, 2016 at 3:49 am
I’m 100% stuck in the “learning trap” & only recently realized it. I came across this article at the right time I guess… your tips seem practical & helpful. thanks!! 🙂
Matt Kramer
Apr 6, 2016 at 7:45 pm
Hey Lauren! You’re welcome. It seems like it’s a normal phase when we decide to better ourselves. That’s the silver lining 🙂
ibrahim
Mar 26, 2016 at 12:16 pm
Absolutely true. After reading many of those so called self help books over a decade, i became a mid-level and mid-30s manager but still not performing at top gear. Everytime i use reading those books as an excuse to escape from my top priority responsibilities to achieve my targets. Results? More procrastination but with fooling myself that i an using my time for something good. If you believe.
Anyway thanks for bringing this up Matt.
Matt Kramer
Apr 6, 2016 at 7:48 pm
You’re welcome Ibrahim. You explained it great with this: “…reading those books as an excuse to escape…” That’s exactly right. The good news at least is that it’s not as bad as watching reality TV!
Chaitali
Jan 22, 2016 at 10:16 pm
So true we miss implementation and crave for more knowledge. Thanks will implement what I learn in all field
Matt Kramer
Jan 27, 2016 at 8:51 pm
Excellent Chaitali. Go get ’em 🙂
Adelaide Hypnosis
Jan 22, 2016 at 8:23 am
I totally do this. Paralysis by analysis. Action goals are the way to go.
Matt Kramer
Jan 27, 2016 at 8:54 pm
We’re all guilty at times 😉 As long as there is more action than not, we’ll make it out okay. You got this!
Santosh Singh
Jan 16, 2016 at 11:12 pm
Nice blog my Brother!! I love It
Matt Kramer
Jan 17, 2016 at 2:14 am
Thanks Santosh! I appreciate it.
Matt Kramer
Jan 16, 2016 at 10:40 pm
You better believe it Stephen! 🙂
Jenny
Jan 16, 2016 at 10:33 pm
Sage advice indeed, especially for start ups, will be sharing
Matt Kramer
Jan 17, 2016 at 7:09 pm
Thanks so much Jenny! Great point about start ups.
Stephen Osoko
Jan 16, 2016 at 5:38 pm
The main thing that I learned from this was to take action!