#247 - The Skill That Changes Everything: How to Learn Faster and Smarter

Building Better with Brandon Bartneck

The ability to learn on your own is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. The world is moving too fast to rely only on formal education or structured training. If you want to stay ahead, you need to take control of your own learning.

In this solo episode, Brandon Bartneck breaks down three key pillars of effective learning:

1. Depth & Breadth – Why becoming a T-shaped individual makes it easier to pick up new skills.
2. Mastering the Fundamentals – Why struggling through the basics builds intuition and adaptability.
3. The Pace of Learning – Why learning faster (without sacrificing understanding) gives you a massive edge.

This episode explores why these concepts matter, how they apply to real-world success, and how you can train yourself to learn better, faster, and more effectively.

About Building Better:

Building Better with Brandon Bartneck focuses on the people, products, and companies creating a better tomorrow, often in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. Previously called the Future of Mobility podcast, the show features real, human conversations exploring what leaders and innovators are doing, why and how they’re doing it, and what we can learn from their experiences. Topics include manufacturing, production, assembly, autonomous driving, electric vehicles, hydrogen and fuel cells, leadership, and more.

Key Takeaways:

• The best learners aren’t just deep or broad—they’re both.
• Once you master one field, it becomes easier to pick up new ones quickly.
• Learning fundamentals builds intuition and makes you less dependent on external tools.
• The ability to learn fast without sacrificing quality is a competitive advantage.
• Learning compounds like investing—what you master today makes it easier to learn something new tomorrow.

Chapters:

• 00:00 – Introduction: Why Self-Learning Matters
• 02:30 – The T-Shaped Individual and Orthogonal Thinking
• 07:20 – Mastering the Fundamentals and First-Principles Learning
• 12:15 – The Pace of Learning: Why Speed Matters
• 17:40 – Applying This Framework to Career and Business
• 20:10 – Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Links & Resources:

• Show Notes: brandonbartneck.com/buildingbetter/selflearning

Connect with Building Better:
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