How To: Become The Top 1% In Any Skill

Everyone desires to accomplish remarkable feats, yet few are willing to dedicate themselves to honing their skills tirelessly over an extended period.

(Plot twist: Deep down, everyone wants to focus on their craft, but no wants to do the internal work. They shy away from the introspective journey, detaching themselves from their flawed beliefs, embarking on the unorthodox path, and see through the projections of your family, friends and culture.)

Fear is the formidable obstacle obstructing your path. Release its grip.

The Only Worthwhile Path

In the course of your existence, you've been conditioned with the expectation to follow the path dictated by others.

Most of the people around you, consciously or not, cast their own fears, insecurities, and poor choices onto you. They harbor an underlying reluctance to see you doing better than them.

So, they express words and exhibit reactions in an attempt to confine you within their realm - at their level.

If you haven’t noticed, most people are not happy. It's hardly surprising, considering the detrimental effects of excessive screen time and indulgence in shallow forms of entertainment that leave their dopamine receptors fried.

To add to that, their energy levels are at rock bottom due to poor nutrition, a sedentary lifestyle, and no sense of purpose.

Their perceptions act as barriers, preventing them from embracing the numerous opportunities that lie right before their eyes. It's truly a disastrous situation for those who allow it to persist.

Here’s the thing, growth is natural.

Consider this: As you become closer to nature, “the universe,” or your authentic self — growth and progress is the only option when you detach from the things that are holding you back.

Once you destroy your adopted, fear-based worldviews — you open yourself up to what is.

Your intuition reveals itself. Your curiosity reveals itself. Your innate drive to lean into your innate masculine / feminine edge reveals itself. To build, protect, provide, nurture, support, etc.

Personal and professional development is a natural byproduct of “letting go” of the external things that do not serve you (and are out of your control). Resisting, fighting, and holding onto these things are what keep you in chains.

Personally, I believe that most people can pick any skill - excluding sports - and make it into the top 1% - 5% in the world simply by working exclusively on it every day for two years. But almost nobody displays that degree of focus, so we will never know.

First, I would argue that (Those that intellectualize this “statistic” will not reach the 1% as their mental chatter prevents them from taking action, let go). There are too many quality resources out there for building yourself and your business in record time. Yet people are held back by the momentary distractions that we discussed above. External stimuli that keep you in a bubble of familiarity and comfort.

I mean...think about it.

So many folks get caught up in overthinking and analyzing this so-called "statistic," and that mental chatter ends up holding them back from actually taking action. It's like they're trapped in their own heads, you know? But here's the thing: there are countless valuable resources available that can help you skyrocket your personal growth and business success in no time.

The problem is, people get easily swayed by those momentary distractions we discussed earlier. It's like they're stuck in a bubble of familiarity and comfort, afraid to step out and explore new horizons.

The question is, where do you begin?

It's crucial for each one of us to remain vigilant and mindful of these distractions that can easily derail us. Taking a deep breath and allowing them to pass, we can find ourselves flowing with the natural and positive rhythm of life. But let's not forget, this kind of mindset and approach requires practice—consistent, lifelong practice.

As you commit to this journey, you'll notice that your innate curiosity starts nudging you in the direction you were always meant to go.

Now, when that moment arrives, or if you're ready to proactively push this process forward, here's what you can do:

When that time comes (or if you want to force this process), here is what you do.

The 3-2-1 Mastery Framework

The first step to acquiring any skill or progressing in life is to learn. Learning is the step that comes after curiosity. Learning is the first step to success in any given area.

There is a reason your parents teach you during adolescence then you go on to spend 12-24 years in the education system. Thankfully, online education has and will continue to grow with specific knowledge related to anything you could ever want to do.

For some, the desire to self-educate and pursue the unconventional path comes naturally. They rebel as children and refuse to listen to authority. Their only option is to follow people online that speak confidently and align with their interests. Most people do this — but many do not have the intrinsic pressure to shift from consumer to creator.

For those that have a shred of interest in breaking free of the traditional path laid out in front of you (that you’ve been expected by others to take out of projected fear) — this is for you. That is the first step. If you are not willing or ready to embark on the path of pursuing your life’s work through your innate curiosity, stop reading.

The following 3-2-1 framework will bring structure to the dilemma of “figuring out what I want to do with my life.”

3 Resources — Interest Immersion

The purpose of exposing yourself to information related to your interests is to make connections. Making connections and recognizing patterns is what generates momentum. It's that unexplainable sense of excitement that dopamine signals convey.

At this stage, it's critical to have a genuine interest that you're eager to pursue. It could be something you've observed others doing and aspire to do yourself. It could be an endeavor that promises positive transformations in your life. It could also be a hobby that simply sounds enjoyable. Choose one that resonates with you. Pick one. You can always start over.

The 3 Resources

You will be choosing

One Book

• The book should be a best seller or highly rated within that given interest area. This will give you a broad overview of how said interest intersects with other areas of life. It will give you ideas to munch on and golden nuggets to note.

Long-form resource

• The long-form resource will be from podcasts, blogs, or YouTube channels. This will open up the rabbit hole of opportunity for you to dive into. This is where your curiosity must be embraced. If you feel compelled by the divine to spend 5 hours watching fitness YouTube videos — do it. That alone could be the start to a lifetime of passion-fueled income.

Short-form resource

• The short form resources will come from social media accounts that talk about your topic of interest. You can look up compilations of “Best Accounts In X Niche To Follow,” or keep an eye out for a list of Twitter accounts to pop onto your timeline.

Please note that the short-form content serves its purpose, but can easily distract you from making progress. You do not need 300+ opinions (posts/tweets) in the span of a day telling you what to do and what not to do. The short-form content is good to keep you on the path and bring potential opportunity but should be moderated. You could do entirely without the short-form content if you wanted to. Your brain will thank you.

2 Outlets — Passion Testing

The ability to recognize patterns and apply acquired information to real-world problems is what ignites passion. It's in "connecting the dots" between the knowledge in your mind and the realities of the world that dopamine levels surge. That's when you truly feel the exhilaration and excitement.

As you engage in the process of learning through your 3 resources, it becomes essential to start producing and actively apply your knowledge. Writing and speaking serve as outlets for this purpose, enabling you to make sense of what you've learned. Whether it's expressing yourself on Twitter, keeping a personal journal, or starting a blog, these activities can stimulate further pattern recognition and deepen your understanding.

Consider writing an e-book, developing an app through coding, or embarking on a real-world project to solidify your learning. Additionally, share your newfound knowledge with trusted friends, teaching them what you've learned and allowing your passion to shine through your voice.

To take it a step further, consider initiating a project that directly relates to your interest. This could involve creating a social media brand, launching an eCommerce store, or exploring avenues with monetization potential. By doing so, you'll delve into the realms of marketing and sales, which are additional evergreen skills.

This interconnectedness will enable you to make even more meaningful connections and expand your understanding. It's this process that often fuels individuals' obsession with building businesses, as they witness the powerful impact of connecting various elements together.

1 Month — Connection & Reflection

It's crucial to allow your interest exploration time to marinate in your mind. While many people tend to give up after just two weeks, I encourage you to commit to this interest for a full month. Use this time to prove to yourself that you can grasp at least some of the intricacies within that particular field.

After dedicating a month to reading books, consuming relevant content, writing, and engaging in discussions, it's important to take a moment to reflect. This reflection period will help solidify your decision on whether to drop the interest or continue pursuing it further. It allows you to evaluate your progress, assess your level of engagement and passion, and make an informed choice moving forward.

Absolutely, this process of pursuing your interests is not about succumbing to shiny object syndrome. It's about recognizing the interconnectedness of various areas of knowledge and skills.

By continuing to explore your interests, you will eventually discover the specific area that you want to master. The learnings and experiences you gather along the way will only serve to enhance and complement your journey in that chosen field.

It's worth noting that even so-called "failed" business attempts can be valuable stepping stones towards success. Each attempt provides you with insights, lessons, and a deeper understanding of what you truly want to pursue. Without the background knowledge and experiences gained from exploring different interests, you may not have been able to identify and transform your desired pursuit into reality. Embrace the interconnectedness of your journey and appreciate how each step contributes to your ultimate success.

Write these questions down to reflect on your 1-month journey:

1. Is this something I want to pursue further?

2. Am I excited to delve deeper into books and content related to this interest?

3. Does this skill or interest have practical utility? Are there opportunities for monetization that others have successfully pursued?

4. What problems or challenges can I envision addressing or solving with this skill or interest? Can I see myself dedicating my life's work to it?

5. Did this exploration make me aware of a new avenue or area that I now want to explore further?

Take the time to reflect on these questions and carefully consider your experiences, feelings, and aspirations. They will help guide you in making an informed decision about whether to continue pursuing this interest and how it aligns with your long-term goals.

Indeed, the decision of what to pursue ultimately lies with you. However, I can provide some guiding questions to help you in the process:

1. What genuinely excites and interests you? What sparks your curiosity and passion?

2. How willing are you to commit at least a month to explore and dive deeper into this interest?

3. What potential positive outcomes can you envision from dedicating time and effort to this pursuit?

4. What are the potential risks or challenges associated with pursuing this interest?

5. How does this align with your long-term goals and aspirations?

6. Are you open to the possibility of this interest leading to a path of mastery, financial opportunities, and an improved quality of life?

By using the 3-2-1 process, you allow yourself to embark on a journey of positive progress and discover new avenues to explore.

At worst, you will have spent a month actively engaging in a fulfilling pursuit.

At best, you may uncover the passion you will dedicate your life to, leading to mastery, financial success, and an enhanced quality of life. Remember, this process is about self-discovery and personal growth.

If you enjoyed this newsletter, hit me with a reply or share it on Twitter.

Thank you for reading.

Don Bird