Professional Documents
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Come Up With 10 Ideas Every Day.: Smartereveryday
Come Up With 10 Ideas Every Day.: Smartereveryday
the "I F------ Love Science" page on Facebook. You can also follow email newsletters, such as Cal Newport's Study
Hacks and Today I Found Out.
7. Check in with your favorite knowledge sources.
Every day, scroll through Quora, Stack Overflow, specialty blogs, or any other sources that satiate your hunger for
knowledge. This is an extremely easy habit, because other users are curating the content for you, so all you have to do is
follow the ones who write about topics interesting to you. Try using Pocket to save articles for later reading, and then try
to get through them before going to sleep at night.
8. Share what you learn with other people.
If you find someone to debate and analyze ideas with, you can add to each other's knowledge and gain new perspectives.
Also, when you can explain ideas to someone else, it means you've definitely mastered the concept. You can even share
what you learn without directly talking to someone. Many people like to start blogs so they can engage others in online
dialogue.
9. Make two "To Do" lists: one of work-related skills you want to learn now, and another of things you want to
achieve in the future.
Google Docs is a convenient way to keep track of your lists. For both, decide what you want to learn, compile sources
that will teach you these skills, and then work on them each day.
For example, if you work in a computer-science related field, your first list might suggest you learn something new in
Python one day or that you try using MongoDB another day.
For your second list, you can think about long-term goals, such as whether you want to go into marketing or
architecture. Write down the small steps you need to take to reach that goal, whether it's by reading the experts in those
fields or taking classes at a local college.
10. Write an "I Did" list.
At the end of each day, write down what you completed. This will help you feel better about all the things you
accomplished, especially if you're feeling discouraged. It will also help you reflect on how productive you were and how
you can re-structure your to-do lists for the next day.
11. Start a "Stop Doing" list.
To clear out the mental clutter, take note of the mindless ways you spend your time. Break old habits, and make time for
new, better ones. As Warren Buffett says, "The difference between successful people and very successful people is that
very successful say 'no' to almost everything."
12. Write down what you learn.
You can start a blog or use an app like Inkpad to help you keep track of everything you learn. Not only will this be a
great way to keep a record of everything you're doing, but it's also a good source of motivation to keep you accountable.
You will want to learn more if you know that at the end of the day you'll have to write about it.
13. Stimulate your mind.
Going on a daily run is a great way to get your brain flowing and to keep your mental health in shape. It's also a great
way to think through difficult decisions or process new information.
14. Take online courses.
Check out this list of the most popular online courses for professionals. Make sure you don't overload yourself; commit
to one to two and truly focus on them. The syllabus will also keep you on track, so you know you will be doing
something every day, whether it's listening to a lecture or working on an assignment.
15. Talk to someone you find interesting.
Even if they're strangers, don't be afraid to approach them. Ask about their interests and how they discovered them.
Oftentimes, you learn the most from people you barely know.
16. Hang out with people who are smarter than you.
Spend as much time as you can with smart people. Every day, you should strive to have a coffee date or walk with
someone who inspires you.
Always be humble and willing to learn. Ask as many questions as possible. If you are always around people who are
more knowledgeable than you, you'll have no choice but to learn more
17. Follow your questions.
If you see or hear about something cool, don't just let the moment pass. Follow up pursue your curiosity and find the
answer to your question.
18. Use a word-of-the-day app.
You will increase your vocabulary, which can help you in competitive tests like the SAT or GRE, or even just sound
more eloquent in daily interactions.
You can also try to learn new vocabulary in a different language. Every day, try to add five to 10 more words to the
foreign language you are trying to pursue. You can use LiveMocha, Basuu, or DuoLingo.
19. Do something scary.
"Getting out of our comfort zone always makes us wiser." Every day, push yourself a little further. Try public speaking
by joining a ToastMasters class, lead a meeting by volunteering a proposal at work, or reach out to someone you really
admire by sending a quick letter or email.