As I continue to organize my materials, I want to address learning as a matrix. We can slowly build up wide skill sets. Alternatively, we can progress faster over a given vertical of skills. So the immediate question: which approach is better and why?
Our training matrix
We provide a full matrix of skill training for accelerated learning and productivity. The things we teach are somewhat different from what you will find elsewhere. Our tools are based on cutting edge science, interdisciplinary experience, and our own practice. They are practical, useful and they will work for you. This is not a marketing pitch, but a statement of confidence. We practice the things that we teach.
KeyToStudy | KeyToVision | KeyToMission | KeyToMeaning | |
Minicourse | V | V | In progress… | In progress… |
Fundamental | Memory | Anchoring & diffusion | – | Lifestyle |
Intermediate | Speedreading | Productivity | Speedwriting | Programming & Tinkering |
Advanced | Analysis & creativity | Investing | Teamwork & Leadership | Guitar |
Mastermind | Senses & Intuition | Teaching | Autobiography |
Start with memory
You probably want to learn memory and speedreading first. Actually, this is a good idea. The progress is remarkable, and the return on investment very clear. However…
About half of our students experience emotional issues or lifestyle-related issues. It is best to practice visualization and focus by anchoring and diffusion before you start speedreading. When we speedread we can be defenseless against gaslighting and disinformation, and we can be haunted by bad memories, so we need to master some emotional regulation.
The lifestyle course is less critical. It covers a wide array of subjects, including sleep, food, nootropics, and stress release. Stress is a huge issue in our lives, and speedreading may increase stress as we consume significantly more information. So it is best to have practical solutions for the stress issues before speedreading.
Productivity
While I briefly address common productivity subjects, my productivity course is very DIFFERENT. It covers organizing activities into pipelines, getting into the “flow” stage when you need it, and managing your own focus and energy. This is very much not the stuff you can find yourself unless you learn distributed software architecture, project management, and recent research into psychological superfluidity.
If you practice speedreading, you often ask in which way you should organize your reading. The answers do not belong to the realm of speedreading, but they are related to productivity. So I really suggest practicing productivity with speedreading.
A third skill that belongs to the same group is speedwriting. You can formally have a reading diary, and revisit your memory structures using spaced repetition. This is doable but uncomfortable. If you write, for example, a blog, everything gets easier. You can actively use the stuff you read and memorize, deal with emotional issues, and build a formidable reputation. It is fast, fun, and respectable.
The only downside of the combined approach: it is hard to acquire. Seriously consider 1:1 coaching with Anna to eliminate mistakes.
Career
The next layer of skills starts with investment. We want some sort of exponential growth, comfortable life, and a respectable retirement. To do that we need to apply our newly acquired skills wisely. Potentially the investment course provides enough tools to do that. It is way deeper than most courses you will find and covers a lot of materials. However…
Our main job is limited. You may want to build some sort of project at home. Or at work. Or both. You will probably want to do some programming or tinkering effectively.
To achieve your goals you will need to read complex texts and apply complex creativity tools. You should better invest in your research, analysis, and creativity toolset. If bayesian statistics and propositional logic frighten you, you are not alone. However, you still need some advanced tools to analyze what you read.
You will probably work in a team. This means that you will need both the teaching or mentoring skills and teamwork or leadership skills. Fortunately, some of these skills are quite formal and trainable.
Extras
I try to provide some extras for my personal reasons. The courses I use to teach you are also intended to teach my kids. If my kids need to learn a bit more about my life, or about music, I am also sharing that with my students.
The extras are comfortably interwoven with the courses. Some of the extras are pretty experimental. For example, the course dealing with senses and intuition has a large section about synesthesia. All of my courses are intended to provide almost supernatural skills using tools backed by science and common sense, only the extras are more controversial.
Verticals vs horizontals
You can progress through my matrix systematically. If you work top-to-bottom, from fundamental skills to advanced capabilities, your progress will be more sound and safe. It will also be more tedious and occasionally you will not understand why you have to learn this.
Alternatively, you can progress from left to right, column by column, acquiring specific toolsets, like accelerated learning vs workplace productivity vs influencing others vs living better lives. The progress will feel fast, but many ideas will appear almost magically. Simply because they come from a different discipline.
In fact, you can cover the subjects differently, deviating from the matrix order. Like memory, productivity, career, and extras. This is a viable approach.
Work in progress
Ideally, I would love to have at least 12 masterclasses with 12 sections each, minicourses, books, and other products. So far I filmed almost all masterclasses with around 10 sections. The video editing slightly lags beyond my filming. Exercises, demos, and support materials strongly lag behind editing. Even Anna and Leeron (my eldest son) did not see all the courses. Once the materials take their final shape, we will provide a recommended walkthrough. For the time being, share the adventure with us and enjoy the freedom.
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