In 1896, when Henry Ford built his first automobile in a brick shed behind his home, he couldn't pull up YouTube to watch other inventors' techniques. He couldn't download Alex Hormozi's hiring playbook or listen to Tim Ferriss interview other inventors about overcoming self-doubt. Every lesson was learned through trial and error, every skill through hands-on experience.
Fast forward to today, and you can have Tim Ferriss in your earbuds walking you through decision-making, Alex Hormozi on your screen breaking down hiring processes, or Ryan Holiday's stoic wisdom in your Kindle – all while making breakfast.
Confessions of a Knowledge Addict
Ten years ago, I was living what I now call my 'knowledge porn' phase. As a full-time software developer, I spent countless hours consuming content about managing Fortune 500 companies, building world-class customer success teams, and scaling businesses to hundreds of employees. While my actual day consisted of writing code and attending stand-ups, my mind was wandering through theoretical hallways of corporate empires I hadn't built yet.
Don't get me wrong – this content kept me inspired and prevented me from mindlessly scrolling through social media. But it was like reading a master's guide to chess while still learning how pawns move. I was absorbing knowledge I couldn't yet apply, creating a false sense of progress without any real-world experience to anchor it to.
When Theory Meets Reality
Everything changed when my wife Mojca and I started our business four years ago. Suddenly, all those theoretical concepts I'd stored away needed to make room for immediate, practical challenges. The real education began when we had skin in the game – when every decision impacted our business, our team, and our future.
This is where Just in Time learning truly showed its power. Recently, when we picked up Dan Martell's Buy Back Your Time, it wasn't just another business book – it was a revelation.
His Definition of Done principle and 1-3-1 problem-solving framework didn't sit in some mental filing cabinet of 'someday' knowledge. We implemented them immediately, and they transformed how our entire team approaches tasks and challenges. The same book, read a decade ago, would have been interesting but ultimately theoretical. Today, it's a practical playbook we're actively using to reshape our business.
The 90-Day Knowledge Rule
So here's my challenge to you: Instead of building a reading list for the leader you want to be in three years, focus on the challenges you're facing in the next three months. Are you struggling with your first hire?
Put down that book about building a 100-person company and pick up something specific to early-stage hiring. Wrestling with time management as a solopreneur? Skip the enterprise productivity frameworks for now and dive into strategies designed for businesses your size.
This doesn't mean you should stop dreaming big or planning ahead. But just like you wouldn't load up on groceries for next year's dinner parties, your knowledge consumption should match your current season. The best mentor isn't always the most successful person – it's the person who recently overcame the exact challenges you're facing today.
Your Action Step
Look at your current reading list or saved content. For each item, ask yourself: 'Will this help me solve a problem I'm facing in the next 90 days?' If not, move it to a 'future learning' folder and replace it with content that addresses your immediate challenges.
Your future self will thank you for mastering today's battles before preparing for tomorrow's wars.
