How to Grow Faster by Learning—Not Just Working Hard
Do you want to learn new things—things that excite you, things that make you feel alive? As humans, we love to push our limits, to discover new knowledge, and to open new doors. This drive helps us climb the ladder, step by step, and maybe even become the person we dream of being. Often, this dream is tied to a role, a job, or even a certain level of recognition.
But reaching these goals takes work. It means challenging yourself, but also working in a structured way. With patience, discipline, and smart use of your time, you can get there.
Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day, but we all use our time differently. Sometimes, we don’t use it well. Working 10 hours a day is a lot, but if those hours aren’t used wisely, it won’t get you far. Maybe you’re not applying the Pareto Principle—the idea that 20% of your efforts bring 80% of your results. Focus on those 20%. That’s where the real progress happens, both in what you achieve and in what others notice.
Doing something just for yourself, because you enjoy it, is great. But if it doesn’t interest anyone else, it’s hard to move up. If what you do is outdated or brings no value to others, you’ll struggle to excel. To succeed professionally, you need to look at what the market wants—not yesterday’s market, not the market from ten years ago, but today’s. Try to predict where things are heading. That’s not easy, but you can spot trends by looking at places that are ahead of the curve. The US is a good example, but so are some Asian countries, especially South Korea and Japan. They often adopt new things faster than Europe or other more traditional places. These trends will eventually spread, so being just a little ahead can be a real advantage. But don’t jump too far ahead—timing matters.
That’s why learning every day and staying up to date is such a strength. Curiosity and a thirst for knowledge are like gold mines. Don’t ignore them. Stay alert to what’s happening around you. Maybe even keep a list of things you want to research—a “why list.” We all know about to-do lists, but a why list is about questions you want to answer. Isaac Newton, who discovered the law of gravity, kept a why list. By questioning things, you start making connections and digging deeper.
There are tools to help you with this. You can use the Wikipedia app offline, or apps like Raindrop to save websites for later research. Pocket and Instapaper are great for saving articles. Note-taking apps like Apple Notes, Microsoft OneNote, or Google Keep help you store your ideas and findings. You can even use voice recording apps like Just Press Record, which I use on my smartwatch, to capture thoughts on the go.
Learning is not just about collecting information. It’s about asking the right questions, focusing on what matters, and staying curious. That’s how you move forward—not just for yourself, but in a way that brings value to others.
Curiosity is a gold mine. Never ignore it.
— Pierre
It’s not about working more, but working smarter on what truly matters.
— Pierre
Key Takeaways
- Focus on learning things that excite you and push your limits.
- Use your time wisely—apply the Pareto Principle (20% effort for 80% results).
- Look at what the market wants today, and try to spot future trends.
- Stay curious and keep a “why list” of questions to guide your learning.
- Use tools to save, organize, and revisit information and ideas.
- Learning is about asking good questions and bringing value to others.
Action Steps
- Make a “why list” of questions you want to answer.
- Try out apps like Pocket, Instapaper, or Google Keep to organize your learning.
- Spend a few minutes each day reading or researching something new.
- Reflect on whether your efforts are bringing value to others.
Reflection
- Are you focusing on what really matters, or just staying busy?
- What questions are you most curious about right now?
- How can you use your learning to help others and not just yourself?
Pierre-Henry Soria
#Curiosity #Learning #Productivity #Self-Improvement #Success #Tasks