We live in the information age. We have access to more information than anyone at any point in known history. With the internet and the many devices that have access to it we can learn more stuff than ever before and at a faster rate. However just because there has been a proliferation of information does not mean that there has been an explosion of wisdom to go along with it.
If anything that mindless drivel has so overwhelmed everything else that finding quality information is getting harder and harder to do. To separate the wheat from the chaff so to speak. For example look at what great resources YouTube and Amazon are and how much learning can be gleaned from both. With YouTube you can learn all sorts of things on so many different subjects and with some guidance and wisdom revolutionize the way you learn.
Same with Amazon. Never before has anyone had access to so many books with so much different knowledge. Again there is also plenty of crap out there that can keep one going in circles forever but with guidance and wisdom one can sort through all of that and separate the jewels from the dirt (or whatever analogy you wish). But there is a problem with this and something that I’ve seen slow down so many people.
Making Money Vs. Helping People
And that’s that there is money to be made in these spheres as well. Now obviously nothing wrong with making money and in a perfect world with a perfect system (two things we’ll never have) the best would make the most money. But that’s not how it works so here’s what you end up. Generally you have someone with deep knowledge and experience who puts out a book, lectures, or whatever that are extremely insightful and knowledgeable.
Then after that you have the vultures come and then repackage this information as their own in a more sales like format. Happened with the “red pill”, happened with make money online, happened with become a “stay at home” blogger, and will happen with a million more genres in time. And so many people get stuck listening to these parrots as opposed to going to the source and therefore miss out on the true knowledge.
Another example of this is Amazon books. You have certain marketers who sell courses on hiring a bunch of writers from India to publish book after book and once you have 300+ books you can make a halfway decent living from it. You won’t really be helping anyone and you’ll be on a treadmill you have to keep running on but you’ll have your cash and be able to keep doing it.
Starting With The Best
And because your time is the only non-renewable resource that you have it pays to spend it wisely. And spending it listening to the vultures and marketers is no way to do so. That is why whatever subject that you are studying it’s important to get as close to the source material as you can. Wisdom and insight that comes from one’s own life and living as opposed to the rehashing and modification of another’s life experience (that can often be misinterpreted).
So for example when it comes to small business marketing instead of buying some cheap kindle title get a book by Dan Kennedy. Likewise if you want to learn about story then drop the cash to go to a Robert McKee seminar. Want to get great MMA breakdowns then check out Brendan Dorman MMA on YouTube and so on and so forth. Start with the best, with the originals and then if you want to fill in knowledge gaps work your way down.
A Helpful Analogy
I remember this being explained to me a long time ago using a two jars, two large rocks, a handful of smaller rocks, and then sand. When you put the large rock in the jar first followed by the smaller rocks followed by the sand it all fits. However when you start with the sand followed by the smaller rocks followed by the large rock, they won’t fit.
Essentially start with the big things and it’ll all work out. Start with the things that are most important then work from there. I know nothing in this article is going to be “life changing” but it’ll save you time and effort. It’ll get you on the right path and listening to the right voices that much quicker. Go to the source, ignore the vultures/marketers, and figure out the truth for yourself.
If anything I said here interests you I’d highly recommend you check out The Ultimate Alpha Collection which is a compilation of 16 of my books for the price of 5. It covers everything from being a man to making money to getting the right mindset to getting girls to fighting and more and is a resource no man should be without. Pick up your copy today!
-Charles Sledge
