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After graduating from university, my only teachers became books.
If it was entrepreneurship, I learned from Richard Branson, Felix Dennis and Blake Mycoskie.
If it was writing, I learned from William Zinsser, Anne Lamott, and Roxane Gay.
If it was biographies, I learned from David McCullough, Ron Chernow and Walter Isaacson.
The list goes on.
For a decade I didn’t stop. I was a sponge. I highlighted, took notes, and saved them in countless, tidily organized Google Docs.
I wanted to soak in wisdom from the masters.
But around the time Covid hit, I burnt out from reading.
For the first time, I had endless hours to myself, but I couldn’t find the motivation to sift through more pages. I had piles of books on my shelf that were waiting to be devoured but I felt paralyzed.
And then it hit me.
Of course.
Books can change your life, but they can’t replace a teacher.
A teacher is specific to you. They know you personally. They point out where you thrive and where you need work. They correct you, make you see what you can’t and turn your weaknesses into strengths.
It’s why schools aren’t libraries. It’s why growing up, you have the same teacher the whole year. They get to know you and adjust to your needs.
I hadn’t had a teacher in ten years, so I asked my friends for theirs.
I had saved up enough money by this point and I went all in.
I hired Aaron, Will Smith’s trainer, to be my personal trainer and business coach. Every day, we got together and lifted for 50 minutes, then studied the in’s and out’s of what makes companies great for another hour. Every. Single. Day. In the process I gained 20 pounds of muscle and got my own version of an MBA.
I hired Jim, a breathwork master and spiritual guide. Jim is like the 70-year-old white male version of Yoda. He’s the wisest man I know. Once a week, we sat together for two hours to do breathwork and work through life’s most pressing problems. My meditation practice has become locked in because of him.
I hired Azul, a writing coach. Azul took what were three mediocre book drafts I had written and guided me patiently towards this fourth draft which is the right one. Because of him, I feel like I’ve finally got the hang of this book writing thing.
Reading books gets you from 0 to 1. Working with coaches gets you from 1 to 10.
Books are the seeds. Coaches are the sun and water.
The combination creates miracles.
So when the time is right, when you have the budget for it and when you know what skills you want to hone, invest in learning from the people who have gone to where you want to go.
Love,
Matt
Song I’m Jamming To: Pass It Along by Chumbawamba
Photo: Our first members-only Zoom call! What a freaking blast. Thanks to each and everyone of you for being a part of this community and hopefully, see you at the next one ;)
The title threw me for a loop but caught my attention. To Give you some background reading was never something I enjoyed doing, being born dyslexic I was unable to read or write. I had a wonderful teacher that worked with me for over 8 years and taught me how to read. But after that, I still never picked up a book until I was 18. With my dying urge to improve myself, I finally was able to get take up the challenge and now I read more than anyone I know. But still have more wisdom to be discovered and implemented only being 3 years into my reading journey I will take your advice to heart. While starting the year getting put on my first salary I will start investing in myself with teachers and mentors.
Thank you for writing Matt!
Hello to everyone!
I have just subscribed to the podcast.
I so love the idea, the sharing, and the sense of belonging especially to the yes theory mindset.
Hope to see you soon on the next Zoom call.