Not everything can be taught, but everything can be learned - Naval Ravikant
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been fascinated by the concept of mastery, and how to gain it. That’s why I wrote the first article on why masters are frauds, and backed it up with the second article on how unconscious competence is the proof of becoming a true master. I then stumbled on a podcast by Naval that talked about specific knowledge, and was hooked.
According to him, specific knowledge is the kind of knowledge that is rare and valuable, and can only be communicated by a few people. The first and most interesting thing I got from the episode was that we think every form of knowledge can be taught, that is, in a school-like format. But that is wrong. The truth is, not everything can be taught, but everything can be learned. If you could learn anything pretty easily from school, or an online course, then everybody could learn it and you’re instantly replaceable. Worse still, it can be programmed or taught to a robot, eliminating the need for human input all together.
Specific knowledge, however, is the kind of knowledge that cannot be automated or replaced, because it’s a unique blend of skills and knowledge that can only be provided by you. A great example of this is the guy I mentioned in the first article that paints with his ear or without looking at the canvas. While there are many people that can paint better than he can, there are a very select few, if any, that can paint upside down, or with their ears, or without looking at the canvas.
That, is Specific knowledge
Thus, we can define true mastery, as the development and display of Specific mastery in a field that very few people can match.
Now, why is Specific knowledge so important?
Given that our rewards in life are perpendicular to how valuable and irreplaceable you are, building specific knowledge is a sure-fire way to build wealth and gain status. If you are able to build unconscious competence in a field that very few people are able to replicate, then you are a master, and your mastery will get you rewarded by society.
How do you build specific knowledge?
I came across this analogy when studying the concept , and I love it because it’s so relatable. Imagine that there are 10,000 possible things that a human can be good at, chances are, you’ll never be in the top 5 of any skill, because doing so will require more than just desire and hard work. There needs to be a level of innate talent as well.
For example, some people are naturally warm, extroverted, and good at communicating, which makes sales easier for them. If you, as an introvert, wanted to be good at sales, you’d have to outwork such people by a significant margin to beat them. However, what happens if they are willing to put in the same level of work you put in? Outshining such a person will become almost impossible.
The solution then, is not to focus on one thing and be the best at it. Out of 10,000 hypothetical things that a human can master, the goal isn’t to be number 1 at any one of them. It’s to be in the top 1000 of 7 to 20 of those things. By combining several related talents, you can carve out a niche for yourself where you become a master.
Let me buttress the point this way, the guy that paints with his ears or without looking at the canvas will probably not be as good a painter as Leonardo Da Vinci, or Picasso. But by being an above-average painter THAT can paint with his ears AND not look at the canvas, he has become a master.
This is where one of my favorite concepts come into play, and that is SKILL LAYERING.
I learnt the concept of Skill Layering from Ajulu, when I took a course of his, and the concept is as brilliant as it is simple. Instead of slaving away to learn a single skill that you are probably outmatched in, you learn a skill to a sufficiently sophisticated level, then layer another skill over it.
So, let’s say you start learning graphic design. Well, you’re probably never going to be a great designer as Chris Do, but you can become sufficiently skilled at it, then layer it with UI/UX design, then layer it with working with tech startups, then layer it with building SaaS apps, then layer it with a bit of storytelling, then layer it with sales….and so on. At the end of the day, the goal is not to become a master graphic designer, it’s to become the best graphic designer that can also do UX designs for tech startups in the SaaS space, while telling a brand story in a way that convinces investors and users to buy into the idea.
Now, this would be something that very few people can do, and is the shortest path to becoming a true master.
A true master creaes his own sphere of influence and expertise.
Nobody becomes famous for playing Bethoveen’s symphonies, but by creating their own.
This is vital, because specific knowledge exists in the spaces where few people are currently working. The middle of the pack is the worst place to be, because there are so many people who can do what you do, you can be replaced in a flash.
Finally, to develop specific knowledge, you have to sate your curiosity. Rather than try to follow the path that seems to be the most “lucrative”, you have to combine the skills you have in the areas that you are passionate about. That’s how you develop specific knowledge.
Remember that specific knowledge is not taught in any school, online course or YouTube video. it’s searched out, discovered, honed, and displayed. Just like a music school can only teach you the basics of playing any instrument, but you’ll have to combine that knowledge with your innate curiosity and creativity to create your own music masterpiece.
So, explore dear friends. Even as you learn that ‘lucrative’ skill, don’t let your creativity die. Apply your copywriting skills to those romance novels you love so much, or your graphic design skills to the football games you can spend hours discussing. This is why the world needs your mastery. There is something unique about you that you have to share with the world.
Shine your light, and let’s create the future together!
P.S In what areas do you seek to develop specific knowledge? Let me know in the comments
If you missed the first two parts of the gaining mastery series, check them out here.
Read Part 1: Why all masters are frauds
Read Part 2: Why you should always be unconscious
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The world needs my mastery! Whattt? This is so good. This is insightful.
Thank you, Favour. You're amazing.
This is really wise advice. Thanks, Favour.