BECOME AN EXPERT IN LEARNING

I was overwhelmed with the writing and publication of my first book. I took on more than I could handle. 

However, I'm back now.

Over the last few weeks I've been reading a book a week. Experience has made it clear to me that this alone is the key to ongoing success. If I could only provide one piece of advice it would be this : become an extreme autodidact. Become an expert in learning: figure out how to inhale information, process it, and immediately change how you do things.

We have access to more information on our phone than any other humans have had in history, and that rate of information-sharing synthesis is only accelerating, in every field. Let me underscore this point: the same amount of information is available to everyone. It's all out there in a how-to blog post or book somewhere. All you have to do is dedicate the time and energy to find and learn it.

Don't let work expand outside strict parameters.

Parkinson's Law: Work expands to fill the time available..

If you find yourself working just for the sake of it without a clearly defined mission, close your laptop and get the hell out of there. There is nothing more soul-crushing than sitting in front of a computer screen in self-inflicted torment because of some vague notion makes you feel like you "should".

Even if you come back and work more later in the day it's worth taking a break and re-defining what your specific goals are. If you lose your focus, walk away and come back when you have it again. 

Be honest and admit what isn't working.

Then ask your heart:

"What is the one tiny thing I can do to start finding the work I belong?"

And listen when it whispers the answer.