How I've leveraged experience as a former tenure-track professor

The moment you receive that piece of paper and pose for a picture with the Dean, it starts stalking you.

You won’t even realize when it pounces.

It could take days, weeks, months.

Never years, though.

Many dive headfirst into their careers post-graduation, only to flounder helplessly as they struggle to climb the corporate ladder.

Slowly, they slip into their comfort zones, pursue their promotions, and silently build little empires. The hard-earned lessons from their formal education fade.

Eventually, they stop growing and stand on the plateau in life.

The dangerous precipice of the real world

Do these sound familiar?

• Abandoned frameworks that enabled steady progress

• Disinterest in sharing pursuits or interests

• Lost interest in reading new things

• Ignorance of current events

• Aversion towards writing

It becomes all about survival.

Everyone is focused on their bank accounts and their families, not realizing that their continued self-development is essential to both.

It’s never too late, though.

Put your money where your mouth is

The average college tuition now ranges between $11 and $44k a year.

The total amount I’ve invested on courses, services, and subscriptions from others ahead of me is tiny in comparison…around $4k over the past three years.

If you’re serious about succeeding long after your college days have gone, then you must develop an approach that works for you and the willingness to put skin in the game.

There is no Easy Street when it comes to internalization of knowledge or integration of skill. It takes regular practice and a willingness to forge a path for yourself.

When was the last time you invested in your journey?

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be anything huge.

Even reading a book or two about a subject is better than most.

But what REALLY sets you apart from the masses is a willingness to take initiative and action.

Apply what you learn.

Shift from consumer to producer.

Create something on a regular basis.

It only takes one decision

Curate a curriculum centered around your passions.

One that shores up your weaknesses, fuels your curiosity, and advances your deepening expertise.

I’ve only been a writer for a few years, but I’ve learned from some of the best in the business. Here’s a list of eleven successful individuals that I’ve invested in to help me improve this craft:

• Dan Koe - compelling writing

• Eve Arnold - Part Time Creator

• Rob Lennon - AI Prompt engineering

• Deni Sahaya - Blogging and writing systems

• Justin Welsh - building an entrepreneurial business

• Kieran Drew - writing processes

• Meena Rohith - frameworks and short form posting

• Derek Hughes - crafting compelling titles

• John Bejakovic - copywriting

• Erica Schneider - editing and writing compelling hooks

• Christina Piccoli - product creation and systems

If you’ve been in this space for a moment, some of these names may be familiar to you.

Regardless, think for a moment:

Can you name at least five big players in your field that you’d be willing to learn from?

I’m not just writing about writing here. The Digital Heirloom is a combination of my stories and experiences in the framework of finding my voice and my style.

Stand for something and create around that concept.

It might take you years, but that’s the process.

You’d think that getting a degree or two would give you a sense of what true effort looks like.

Your diploma isn’t just for show. It represents what you are capable of doing.

It was meant to be the beginning of your journey, not the end of it.