An alternative to structured learning is to immerse yourself and experiment relentlessly. By trying everything and discarding what doesn't work, you build an intuitive, unorthodox mastery. This method prioritizes discovery and practical application over memorizing a pre-defined curriculum.

A mentor isn't someone who provides step-by-step instructions. The most powerful learning comes from finding someone you admire and closely observing their every move, how they speak, and how they behave in the face of obstacles, rather than seeking direct guidance.

Adopting a single 'role model' is flawed because no one is perfect. A better approach is to consciously identify the one thing each person you meet is exceptionally good at. This allows you to learn from a wide array of strengths without being blinded by their shortcomings.

Instead of traditional classroom training, Stone would take new salespeople on live sales calls. They'd observe him, attempt a pitch themselves, and receive immediate feedback. This rapid, immersive cycle built competence and confidence quickly, even for those without a college degree.

Negreanu avoids becoming the "old head" who criticizes new methods. Instead, he actively learns from younger players every few years, combining their new strategies with his decades of wisdom. If you aren't adapting, you are getting worse relative to a field that is constantly improving.

To become a great speaker, Anthony Trucks recorded a 90-second video every night for 3.5 years. This consistent, low-stakes practice built skill and confidence when no one was watching. Mastery comes not from occasional grand efforts but from relentless daily reps that forge a new identity.

No single teacher or mentor is perfect. A more effective approach is to identify specific, desirable qualities in various people—such as an investor's rationality or a leader's compassion—and focus on learning how to embody those particular traits, rather than idealizing the entire person.

The young founder hired an experienced executive who became a mentor and effectively his boss. He learned more from observing this leader's actions—how he interacted with people and approached problems—than from direct instruction. This demonstrates the power of learning through osmosis from seasoned operators.

Negreanu suggests we're born with the ability to read people but learn to distrust it. He practiced by observing strangers in public, creating stories about them, and then at the poker table, looking for behavioral patterns (like gum chewing) that correlate with bluffing or truth.