Why Learning How to Learn Is Your Only Competitive Advantage Left
I sat in that accelerator orientation listening to them brag about mentors who'd been teaching entrepreneurship for 15+ years. Everyone clapped. I was terrified.
These were people with employee mindsets teaching the same frameworks from 2010. In an AI-first world where anyone can build the same software, your ability to learn faster than competition is your only moat left.
This episode breaks down my 5-step learning framework, why formal education is a trap, and how I learned French in months with 10 minutes daily practice.
Key Topics Covered
The Accelerator Wake-Up Call (2:45)
Learning Through Desperation (8:30)
The French Language Success Story (12:15)
Why Formal Education Is a Trap (18:30)
The 5-Step Learning Framework (22:45)
The Brutal Truth About Learning in 2025
What's Being Commoditized
What's Left
Learning speed and adaptation ability
Example: SEO worked one way for 10 years. ChatGPT launches, articles flood Google, algorithm changes overnight. Everything learned becomes obsolete.
The Death Spiral
People learn skills in their 20s, get good, then coast for 30 years. Brains get stuck in those frameworks and never evolve. In 2025, that's career death.
George's Learning Journey Examples
Content Strategy Mastery
The Need: Realized distribution was only moat left, needed content skills
The Process:
Results: Built authentic founder brand and distribution channel
French Language Achievement
The Motivation: Canada is bilingual, French opens doors
The Method:
Results: CLIC test score 4,4,4,4 out of 12 in months
Technical Learning
The Reality: When team tied up, George learns Node.js himself
The 5-Step Learning Framework Deep Dive
Step 1: Learn High Level (10-30 minutes)
Process: Ask AI for main components and framework Example: "What are main components of content strategy for tech founders?" Goal: 10,000-foot view, understand the pieces Time Investment: 20-30 minutes maximum
Step 2: Do It Immediately
Principle: Practice over theory, action over perfection Key: Put framework into practice right away Example: Started posting more, recording podcasts, writing blogs Mindset: "Was it good? Absolutely not. But I was learning."
Step 3: Make Mistakes and Iterate
Reality Check: This is where most people quit Common Trap: Try something, doesn't work, think they failed Truth: Mistakes are the point, not failures Example: First podcast episodes - brutal download numbers, demotivating but expected Framework: What didn't work? Why? What can I do differently?
Step 4: Study Case Studies
Approach: Learn from people who succeeded, find patterns Examples Studied:
AI Prompt: "Find examples of people who successfully learned [skill]. What patterns made them successful?"
Step 5: Regular Retrospectives
Frequency: Weekly or monthly personal review Questions:
Method: Share data with Claude/ChatGPT for blind spot analysis Discovery: Was creating content but not engaging, publishing but not distributing
Why This Framework Works
Consistency Over Intensity
Practice Over Theory
Motivation Over Obligation
Fast Feedback Over Delayed Grades
The AI Advantage for Learning
Removes Traditional Barriers
Personalized Learning Assistant