Learn skills in less time

When you're learning something new—like starting a new job or picking up a new skill—focus is everything.

Yes, there's a time for developing other skills. But at the beginning, the most important thing is to get good what you're doing. That only happens through consistent, focused effort.

For example: I’d rather take an unpaid opportunity in my industry than a paid part-time job in something unrelated (unless I really need the money). Why? Because one helps me build skills, experience, and relationships that compound. The other distracts me.

• I’d rather spend time shadowing someone in my industry than driving for Uber. One moves me forward. The other just moves me around (sorry).

Mastery comes from focus. Diversification can wait.

Next week we’ll dive into some examples.