I’m an autodidact – there, I said it aloud and I feel better now 🙂

It’s a good thing and if you aren’t one already you should give it some serious thought.

An autodidact is someone who takes the initiative to teach themselves, often outside formal educational systems.

This self-driven learning approach requires curiosity, discipline, and a thirst for knowledge.

Autodidacts leverage a wealth of resources such as books, online courses, videos, and podcasts to deepen their understanding and develop mastery of new skills.

An autodidact will take full advantage of expert help and knowledge wherever they can get it, but the key difference is that they set the agenda for learning rather than being told what they need to learn by others.

What really sets them apart is their ability and willingness to be highly self-aware and identify gaps in their knowledge then proactively seek out ways to fill them.

Being an autodidact has never been easier in today’s digital age, where information and expertise is abundant and accessible.

However, it still demands persistence and critical thinking to sift through the noise and identify credible sources.

Autodidacts excel in tailoring their learning experience to their unique interests and motivations, often leading to highly innovative and unconventional approaches in their chosen fields.

Several famous individuals embody the spirit of autodidacticism to advantageous effect.

For instance, Elon Musk, the entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX, attributes much of his success to self-study, delving into engineering, physics, and rocket science through books and research.

Similarly, Maya Angelou, the renowned poet and author, was mostly self-educated, absorbing knowledge from life experiences and extensive reading.

In the tech world, Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter, taught himself computer programming during his youth.

These modern examples illustrate how autodidacts can thrive in diverse fields by combining curiosity with relentless self-improvement.

If you’re considering this path, the key is to embrace a motivated growth mindset and trust in your ability to forge your own educational journey.

All the best to you and yours

Andrew D Pope