3 Year steps to Mastering Stuff

Found an interesting concept that I immediately liked and was percolating in my mind for a long time. I've forgotten where I found it now but had the urge to share because I think the impact on you and your children can be absolutely immense. My google-fu is weak at the moment but i'm still looking for the original source of this.

Every 3 years, for that 3 years, you concentrate on learning a particular topic. Its not further education, University, College etc - but a self driven, self motivated quest to become a master on something. By master I think to get to a level of proficiency that you can confidently approach that subject with recognised world authorities and have a deep and meaningful conversation with them. You will also be in a position that you know more about the subject than 99.something% of the population.

If you start at 18, by the time you are 42 you will be extremely well versed in about 8 different areas of interest.

Why?
Think about the advantages your children can apply in their life, and just as meaningfully (more so in some circles of philosophy) in the service of others.

How?
For three years you concentrate on a topic. This means fully immerse yourself in that topic, read widely - from people you agree with, and particularly people or ideas you disagree with.  Discuss and debate the topic, teach others.

You want a broad view of your topic, and then you also want to go deep. Really deep.

I would suggest keeping notes. Use a paper journal or something like Evernote if that is more your style. You want detailed notes with YOUR thoughts - not just copy/paste. Review the notes, amend them, expand on them. Turn them into mini lessons, presentations, eBooks etc.

Become a Librarian, Journalist, Investigator, Author.

Specifically I would start with these sort of ideas on how to go about mastering something..
- Read books (of course!)
- Read trade journals
- Read reputable websites
- Engage in discussions
- Seek out a mentor
- Take web based lessons (KHAN, UDEMY, COURSERA etc etc)
- Take formal tuition where practical and available

Do something EVERY DAY. Be curious, seek out your topic where you would not expect it, draw parallels in the real world 

What?
This is entirely up to the individual of course, but there are a number of things that will likely give a lifelong (massive) benefit if covered earlier than later.

Communication - Specifically the skills of persuasion, debate, argument, critical thinking, philosophy.
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Business - Marketing, Finance, accounting

Finance - Personal finance particularly. Learn all about money, how rich people think about it, what habits they employ, how they use it, how that translates to you.

Sport - Golf is a lifetime sport, you can theoretically play it until late into your senile years.

Art - Learn to sculpt/paint/draw/decorate/photograph. Curate an art gallery.

Music - Immerse yourself in an instrument, get intimate with a style of music, write music, become a performing musician, composer.

When to start?
Of course right now!


For myself i'm really digging psychology right now, and specifically persuasion, influence and the mid games that go on in marketing - so that will be my focus.

Hack on!