I love learning. I hope you do, too.
I’ve tried all the different “Personal Knowledge Management” systems to try and be as efficient as I can.
Evernote, Notion, Obsidian… I’ve used most of them.
I’ve built my “second brain,” “my digital brain,” and even my “slip box” full of index cards.
But the one guiding principle that’s worked best at helping me make the most of my learning is a quote from a theologian born 100 years before me…
Here’s what G.K. Chesterton had to say:
“The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.”
This quote speaks volumes as it implies that travelers and tourists have two different approaches when it comes to exploration.
The traveler is open-minded and curious, letting go of expectations and allowing themselves to be immersed in the journey of discovery. They know that “getting there is half the fun.”
They are not focused on an end goal but rather on taking in new experiences and learning from them along the way.
On the other hand, the tourist has a set agenda in mind and knows exactly what they want from their journey — whether it’s finding their way around town or researching a topic — and they stick to their plan no matter what so they can reach their destination as soon as possible.
Tourists favor quick solutions that can get them where they need to go without having to think too much about it.
When it comes to creating content or coming up with something new, thinking like a traveler is beneficial because it allows for fresh perspectives and discoveries not found elsewhere.
Thinking like a tourist is useful when trying to solve problems quickly without getting sidetracked by potential discoveries along the way. You get in, learn what you need to do, and get out. This is for getting stuff done.
Being aware of what kind of learning you need in the moment and setting those expectations for yourself will make a ton of difference.
When you’re working on achieving Thought Leadership goals, understanding which approach best suits your needs — traveler or tourist — can help maximize your efficiency in reaching those desired outcomes.
Here’s one thing you can do to learn more about Thought Leadership than from any other source:
Go to You Can Be A Thought Leader right now and sign up for my daily email. That’s right, daily. You’re going to become a better Thought Leader each and every day.