Feed your growth with morning learning

Studies from the University of Chicago show that people who invest in daily micro-learning—just 20 minutes of focused reading or listening—grow their expertise 30% faster over a year. In the quiet dawn, your brain is primed for absorption, free from the distractions that blur midday. Imagine sitting at dawn with a fresh chapter of a leadership book. Each paragraph reads like a conversation with an expert mentor. You pause, highlight a line on emotional intelligence, and note one way to strengthen a tough conversation later. Your mind feels buoyed; new connections spark. A 2013 meta-analysis in the Journal of Applied Psychology confirms that applying one insight within hours of learning cements the knowledge far deeper than waiting until evening. This ‘‘immediate application effect’’ rewires your brain for mastery. By 6 AM, you’ve not only read but mobilized new strategies. That 20-minute investment ripples through your day, elevating decisions, actions and outcomes.

Each morning, carve out 20 minutes after your reflection time to dive into a carefully chosen piece of content—an article, podcast or book chapter. Take rapid notes, write down one actionable idea and plan exactly how you’ll use it before noon. This mini university session turbocharges your skill growth and ensures each day ends with concrete progress toward your loftiest goals. Try it tomorrow.