Many people expect to learn how the world works through books, newspapers, and other media. However, relying solely on these sources can lead to a misunderstanding of current realities and missed opportunities. The world operates by its own set of evolving rules, and what you read in publications might be outdated or only a partial picture.
The Limitations of Second-hand Information
The Information Gap
Even individuals with extensive networks and access to information often only grasp a small part of what's happening in the world. It's difficult to know what developments are occurring across all industries and regions, from technological advancements to changes in traditional businesses. Therefore, understanding the world purely through others' descriptions is inherently limited.
The Danger of Expecting Narration
The real problem arises when you believe that the world's rules and opportunities should be presented to you. This expectation can blind you to genuine opportunities when they appear. As YC's current owner, Gary Tan, mentioned on the My First Million podcast, he missed the chance to be a co-founder or founding engineer at Palantir because he expected value to be signaled by established sources like The Wall Street Journal. He realized later that the truly important things are being created by builders and are often not immediately visible to marketers or even investors.
First-hand Experience and the "Builder's Community"
First-tier investors only have access to second-hand information. The most valuable first-hand information lies within the community of "builders" actively experimenting and creating.
Learning Through Doing: A Personal Example
The speaker shares an anecdote from their doctoral studies, highlighting the importance of hands-on experience. When trying to create a website for fresh food delivery, they couldn't find the answers in books or from others. The only way was to build the website from scratch.
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They initially used manual forms to take orders from students.
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The process was labor-intensive and not scalable.
Discovering Solutions Through Active Engagement
Attending an entrepreneurship talk show and directly asking a guest about the problem led to the discovery of BigCommerce and later Shopify. Using Shopify, they created a successful website that eventually led to building other websites, including one for a restaurant during the pandemic. This experience became the foundation for creating tutorial videos and launching their channel.
Embrace the Craft: Learning Through Practice
The Importance of Hands-on Learning
Instead of trying to learn skills solely from books, treat work as a craft that's best learned through practice. While books provide information, they often lack the practical context needed for real-world application.
Experiential Knowledge
Even a small amount of hands-on experience yields far more knowledge than passive learning. By actively engaging in a task, you encounter a wealth of information that your body, consciousness, and subconscious absorb, enabling you to refine your skills.
Developing the Right Attitude: Awareness and Openness
Recognizing Limitations and Expanding Awareness
It's vital to approach the world with the understanding that it's complex and diverse, and our awareness is limited. We must actively seek information and broaden our perspectives.
Seizing Opportunities
When opportunities arise, approach them with an open mind, even if they are unfamiliar. Don't dismiss them simply because they haven't been widely publicized or explained to you. Embrace personal changes and seriously evaluate each opportunity to identify those that hold true potential.
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