Sometimes a shiny new toy is the next step in your skill growth, but it's usually just a fun distraction. We talk about how to tell the difference.

Full show notes

This week’s episode is sponsored by:

Skillshare: with over 27,000 courses in a wide range of different skills, Skillshare can help you take things to the next level. Get started with 2 free months of unlimited learning (including Thomas' Productivity Masterclass!) at Skillshare.com/geek.

Brilliant: Accelerate your learning in math, science, and computer science. Start learning for free at Brilliant.org/CollegeInfoGeek — and if you’re one of the first 200 people to use this link, you’ll also get 20% off your subscription.

Things mentioned in this episode:

Thomas’ Productivity course on Skillshare

How to Be Good at Everything — The Rapid Skill Learning Process (Ep. 210)

10 Essential Life Skills That Every Student Should Have (Ep. 175)

Why You Shouldn't Tell People About Your Goals

Potato Jet on YouTube

Duet Display (iOS)

This is How Matt D'Avella Works

How to Stop Feeling Tired in the Afternoon

Matty Brown's Low Budget Filmmaking course on Skillshare

italki (iOS | Android)

Essentialism: How to Do More by Doing Less (Ep. 171)

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, by Greg McKewon

How to Actually Use Productivity Tips and Improve Your Life (Ep. 176)

5 Questions: Keeping Track of Bills, Coasting, and Moving to a New City (Ep. 275)

Let’s Talk About Minimalism (Ep. 272)

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondō

Udemy

Want more cool stuff? You can find all sorts of great tools at my Resources page.

You can also get a free copy of my book, 10 Steps to Earning Awesome Grades (While Studying Less), by staying up to date with the College Info Geek newsletter.

Timestamps:

0:03:14 - Buying new gear makes you think you're improving

0:10:42 - Discussing some of our gear

0:22:02 - Sponsor: Skillshare (Learning new skills)

0:24:17 - Sponsor: Brilliant (Learning problem-solving skills)

0:26:27 - Discussing some of our gear (continued)

0:27:17 - Knowing when you really need to upgrade your gear

0:39:38 - Investing in education, and applying what you learn

0:54:01 - Getting started with your hobby

1:09:56 - Buying online courses

1:12:18 - Conclusion

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