What's up, everybody?

Part of the reason Usman and I get along is we're both big believers in the need to constantly be learning. Well prior to TalentStories, our relationship was about sharing what we (thought) we knew; discussing what we were curious about or dabbling with -- and then sounding that out together, to improve our understanding.

We hope this newsletter serves as a form of that, for you: here's what we came across, here's what we think; and if it gets you to think and question with us for a moment -- that's a win. 🙌🏻

This week, we've got three insights on learning:

#1 - on the incredible, exponential learning opportunity in front of us

#2 - on remixing our skills, and the need to be thoughtful and intentional about what we learn

#3 - on knowing when we're in the flow -- and balancing between going deep on something we know well, with jutting into a new skill or topic

Taken together, they make us so excited about the agency we have to learn, and about the potential for that learning to mitigate the effects of the incredible change that's afoot.

Thanks for reading, and have a fantastic week!

Aki & Usman

#1

#learning #democratization

We all know that "there's a lot of information out there". But it wasn't until I left my full-time job, picked my head up, and started to avail myself of the learning on the web that I could start to appreciate this Tweet. Even now, I can barely get my head around its implications.

YouTube how-to's, paid courses, free courses, people building in public -- and sharing *everything* they are learning, in real-time.

The learning constraints? Your time; your curiosity; accountability; opportunity cost.

The learning opportunity? Unprecedented.

#2

#learning #intent #remix

We love the idea of "combining skills in creative ways", from Robert Greene, the author of "The 48 Laws of Power". As much as my day now involves learning new skills -- and I absolutely look at this phase as investing, now, in skills that will pay dividends down the road -- this was the first time I asked how these new skills might combine in creative -- or even "unfair" -- ways with my existing skillset.

#3

#learning #flow #mastery

One of the great things about the web is that there are so many people -- "experts" or not -- who think so much about topics they care deeply about, they're able to then elegantly compress them for the rest of us. That's how I felt when I read this, about when we think we're "in the flow". Essentially:

"You're aware you're doing something hard, that you perceive requires a lot of skill."

I realize, now, why I haven't felt in the flow for a while -- the only thing that's "flowing" is the stream of expletives I utter when asking myself what to write about, or what I'm actually trying to say. 😝 After all: these are new skills, and I've opted into the discomfort of learning them. If I wanted flow, I should go back to the hiring and recruiting I've spent my career on.

All of which makes me realize: flow is not always the goal. But then neither is permanent discomfort! There's a time and a place for both: to go deep on something we know well, and to play with something new. Maybe the key is knowing when to pursue which.

Thanks for reading. 🙏🏻

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