The Source

If you want to master a subject, you need to find and get to the source. Always seek the direct source material on the subject. For example, if you want to learn about Personal Finance, pick the top 3 or 5 books on this topic and learn from the experts. Look at the citations and references in the book and go deeper into where the experts have found the base material to develop the book. The idea of delving deeper is to reach the source, to the extent possible and build your knowledge from there. When you read books, looks for footnotes and endnotes provided by the author. They will lead you to research papers and a range of books related to the subject.

"They muddy the water, to make it seem deep." — Friedrich Nietzsche

You don't need to follow some random influencers on the subject. You'll only end up gaining superficial knowledge without any depth. Influencers are mostly curators and not really creators. They quote the same books to build their content. Some are smart and add a fresh perspective, but most just curate content in bits and pieces. My recommendation is to stay away from these middlemen and get to the bottom and find the source. This evidence-based learning approach will help you build a strong foundation armed with the irrefutable and timeless fundamentals. 

Apart from mastering a subject, this particular method also helps to make informed decisions in life and work. This approach is all the more important in this era of information abundance, social media, and AI.


Whenever something matters to you, put the extra effort to find the right answers.

The source is your resource.

Popular posts from this blog

16 Career Hacks

1)  Wenn schon, denn schon 2) Writing is thinking 3) Be an outlier 4)  Seize the narrative 5)  Don't follow, lead 6)  Consume less, create more 7)  Get to the source 8) Codify your expertise 9) Collaborate strategically 10) Teach to learn, advocate, and network 11)  Progress, not perfection 12)  Build in public 13) Think first principles 14)  Think multidisciplinary 15) Pivot early on 16)  Carpe diem
Read more

The Self-made Opportunity

No money, no problem! In fact the lack of money, resources, and a pre-built ecosystem presents you a rare opportunity to become self-made. It's probably a blessing in disguise. Who would not want a good head start, plenty of resources, and a level playing field? Ideal worlds don't exist. So, in an unequal world where most people are inherited with wealth, familial fame, and many other opportunities beyond your reach, life might look and feel unfair. It's isn't! You can flip the narrative. See this as your chance to learn and grow from the ground up. If you ask me, competing with the fortunate is more fortunate. Remember, that inheritance has robbed the others of this golden opportunity of being totally self-made. All the wealth in the world can't buy you the satisfaction of becoming a self-made individual. Here's my speculation on inheritance . Here's my other question. Are you rich? Some are self-made and some are shelf-made. What opportunity did God bless ...
Read more

The 10 Corporate Lessons

1) Decouple your identity from the identity card. 2) Network through work. 3) Never gossip. 4) Espouse your values. 5) Teach to learn, advocate, and network. 6) Communication is everything. (Use email wisely) 7) Arrive and leave on time. 8) Go the extra mile strategically. 9) Colleagues aren't friends, they are colleagues. 10) Focus on work, work, and work. (The only reason you're hired in the first place)
Read more

The Art of Self-love: 16 Meditations

1) Know yourself 2) Accept yourself 3) Be Yourself 4) Shed your past 5) Define your values 6) Define success 7) Say no 8) Say yes 9) Amor fati 10) Do your own thing 11) First respect yourself 12) Invest in yourself 13) Embrace silence 14) Celebrate small wins 15) Watch your circle 16) Believe in yourself
Read more

Free is Expensive

Free is always an expensive affair. It comes with many hidden costs like obligations, low quality, and unforeseen future costs. Always pay for services and products for the best outcomes. Free is costly.
Read more

Social Etiquette: The 10 Rules

1) Punctuality (Respecting time is respecting yourself and other people) 2) Dressing is signature 3) Actively listen 4) Hold the door 5) Strictly no phubbing (Be in the moment, pay attention to people around you, else excuse yourself) 6) Gossip is cheap 7) Break bread together 8) Don't interrupt people (It's disrespectful and they tend to lose their train of thought) 9) Respect everyone equally 10) Don't overstay your welcome
Read more

10 Rules for Productivity

1) The not-to-do list 2) Atomic progress 3) Timebox your work 4) The Sitzfleisch quotient 5) Routine, routine, and routine 6) Constantly declutter mindspace 7) Avoid the perfection syndrome 8) Work offline 9) Avoid multitasking 10) Think in weeks, months, and years
Read more

The 10 Don'ts

1) Neglect health 2) Fear change 3) Compare 4) Groupthink 5) Harbor resentment 6) Be miserly 7) Please everyone 8) Just coast 9) Wait for opportunity 10) Play God
Read more