Progress Over Perfection: Why Learning Values Are Essential To Wealth

Brian Rey
4 min readDec 27, 2022
Photo by Morgan Housel on Unsplash

In a world full of get-rich-quick schemes and the promise of overnight success, it can be easy to get caught up in the idea that taking courses or attending university is the key to wealth. However, there is one thing that will take you further on the path to financial success than any course can — a commitment to continuous learning.

The truth is, no course is going to make you rich — but an insatiable thirst for knowledge and new skills will undoubtedly lead to a wealth of opportunities. As Navy Raviknant succinctly put it in his viral tweet, “No course is gonna make you rich. But the decision to voraciously learn will.”

This isn’t just a motivational quote — it’s a practical piece of advice that goes beyond potential wealth and into true success and satisfaction in life. Here’s why progress over perfection should become your mantra when it comes to learning new skills.

The Power Of Continuous Learning

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Continuous learning is an invaluable skill in any field, allowing individuals to stay ahead of the curve and move towards their goals faster than ever before. Here are some of the ways that continuously learning can benefit both your career and personal interests:

  • Develops problem-solving skills: When we’re constantly exposed to different scenarios, we can develop the kind of critical thinking skills necessary for solving problems more quickly.
  • Increases knowledge: We’re always surrounded by new ideas, technologies, and innovative approaches; learning from professionals in our field gives us the opportunity to expand our knowledge base and stay ahead of the competition.
  • Improves decision making: The more knowledge we acquire about certain topics, the better off we’ll be when it comes time to make decisions related to our career.
  • Enhances creativity: By exposing ourselves to an endless stream of ideas and insights from other professionals, we open ourselves up to new ways of thinking and innovating.

Investing In Yourself Is The Key To Wealth

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As Naval Raviknant suggests, it’s not about finding a magic course that will instantly make you wealthy — it’s about understanding the power of investing in yourself through continuous learning. The sooner we realize that our personal development journey is what ultimately matters — not how much money or success we attain — the more we understand how valuable investing in yourself truly is.

Continuing our education often means taking on additional costs — whether enrolling in courses or attending seminars — but these are investments in our future. Mentorships, conferences, certifications, library visits — all these activities become part of a personal development effort; this development effort involves more than just monetary costs but also time investment that pays huge dividends down the road for both your career and bank account alike.

Take Action To Make Continuous Learning A Priority

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Taking charge of your own development path is already half the battle — now comes time to take action. Here are some tips on how to make continuous learning a priority:

  • Take advantage of online classes: With hundreds of e-learning platforms such as Coursera and Udemy, there are plenty of options out there when it comes to boosting your skill set without breaking the bank. Not only do these platforms offer courses at discounted rates but they also allow you to fit them into your own schedule!
  • Look for free resources: You don’t need to spend money on expensive courses in order to broaden your knowledge base; there are plenty of free resources such as YouTube tutorials or blog posts from industry leaders that provide just as much valuable insight as paid courses do — so take advantage!
  • Make use of networking opportunities: Whether online or offline, connecting with experts in your field gives you access to valuable information you may not have had access otherwise — so get out there and start asking questions!
  • Follow industry trends: Staying abreast of recent developments within your field doesn’t have to involve hitting up expensive seminars every month — simply follow industry trends by subscribing to relevant blogs or podcasts; this will keep you informed without having to spend too much time out of your day!

Wrapping up

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We all have areas where each one us can improve upon; learning doesn’t stop after school because life itself provides enough learning material every day if you know where to find it — and being consistent with learning this material is what will pay off immensely later on. So start today by committing yourself to progress over perfection — your future self will thank you for it!

Thanks for reading!

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