Overview
This lecture outlines three simple habits to help you become smarter: reading non-fiction books, learning from educational podcasts and videos, and creating content to share your knowledge.
Habit 1: Read Non-Fiction Books
- Reading books condenses years of knowledge into a short time, making learning efficient.
- Focus on non-fiction books for practical knowledge you can apply in daily life.
- Suggested reading pace: one book per month, dedicating 10 minutes daily before bed.
- Book recommendations by category:
- Psychology: "The 48 Laws of Power," "How to Win Friends and Influence People," "Influence"
- Biographies/Stories: "Elon Musk," "Can't Hurt Me," "Shoe Dog"
- Mindset: "Mastery," "The Creative Act," "Principles"
- Philosophy/Productivity: "Meditations," "The Miracle Morning," "Feel-Good Productivity"
- Apply what you read and use active recall techniques like practice questions to retain knowledge.
Habit 2: Learn from Podcasts and Educational Videos
- Listen to educational podcasts and watch informative videos to expand your knowledge.
- Suggested podcasts: Andrew Huberman (health), "How to Get Rich Without Getting Lucky," Colin and Samir, "Diary of a CEO," "My First Million."
- Take active notes while listening to retain information, not just passive listening.
- Recommended YouTubers for specific interests: David Laid (fitness), Dan Koe (writing/focus), and other educational creators.
Habit 3: Create and Share Knowledge
- Create content such as videos, blogs, or tweets to share and reinforce what you learn.
- Teaching others increases your understanding and provides fulfillment.
- Building an online audience can provide accountability and even career opportunities.
- Sharing knowledge helps expand your social circle and can lead to personal growth and success.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Active Recall — a learning method where you actively retrieve information from memory to strengthen knowledge retention.
- Non-Fiction — factual books based on real events, people, or information, as opposed to fictional stories.
- Creator — someone who produces and shares new content online (videos, articles, posts).
Action Items / Next Steps
- Choose one non-fiction book from the recommended list and read it for 10 minutes daily.
- Listen to one educational podcast this week and take notes as you listen.
- Create and share a short summary or insight online from something you've learned.