Efficient learning machine is a term that applies to every successful person and company. It’s relatively rare as explained in Thinking, Fast and Slow. When people and companies are not successful it’s often because they tend to think fast, not slow. It’s easier. “Everything sounds easy when you say it fast”
Efficient learning machines have “Attention Deficit Disorder“. This is often thought of as a negative trait, but it’s actually what makes successful people successful and regular people experts. They love their craft or trade, are fascinated by it, curious about it, and driven to learn more about it until they know all there is to know. This is thinking slow in action.
One of the smartest people I ever met said “I’ve got it and I pity people who don’t have it.” Another smart person who was officially diagnosed with it said “The name is wrong. I don’t have a deficit of attention, I have plenty. I just can’t redirect it until I’m finished with what I’m working on.”
Embrace your mind
You can do things and you can think slow. When someone gives you a task to do you can get it done. The magic happens when you think slow about what you’re doing and question what you don’t understand.
This is where new and better ways of doing things come from. This is where innovative ideas come from. When you come up with new ways to think about what you’re doing and better ways of doing them you become more successful. If you’re working for the right company they’ll reward your efforts.
Manage your risk and success
Being an efficient learning machine reduces your risk of failure because you stay one step ahead of the competition. When you continue to learn and improve you stay sharp, you’re never bored and you like coming to work in the morning. It’s an attitude that inspires a free flow of new ideas and enthusiasm in others.
Companies that are efficient learning machines continue to grow and become more successful. They constantly attract new customers. Their marketing is strong because they always have new and interesting stories to tell. Customers enjoy working with them because they know what they’re doing.