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I used to think the smartest person was the one who knew the most.
Back in business school, we studied Walmart’s inventory management system.
While other retailers would stock their warehouses to the ceiling with products they thought people might buy, Walmart took a different approach.
They implemented “Just-In-Time” inventory—only bringing in products when they were actually needed, based on real demand rather than forecasts.
This simple shift revolutionized retail.
Less waste. Better cash flow. Higher profits.
But here’s the thing I’ve been thinking about lately.
Most of us don’t apply this same brilliance to our own learning.
The Knowledge Stockpiling Trap
We’re addicted to stockpiling knowledge.
We take course after course, read book after book, and collect certifications like they’re Pokémon cards.
It feels productive. It feels smart. And it certainly feels good to talk about at networking events.
“Oh, I just finished this amazing course on AI prompt engineering…”
“I’m halfway through my fourth book on leadership this month…”
Unfortunately, you don’t get credit for knowing a bunch of stuff.
The real impact comes from applying what you’ve learned. And most of that knowledge you’re stockpiling? You’ll never use it.
As Jim Rohn perfectly put it: “Knowledge, uninvested in labor, is wasted.”
The JIT Learning Method
What if you approached learning the way Walmart approaches inventory?
Learn what you need, when you need it. Just in time.
Need to create an email marketing campaign next week? That’s when you take the course.
Need to hire your first employee next month? That’s when you read the book.
Need to pitch investors in 60 days? That’s when you learn the skill.
The benefits are immediately clear:
- You retain more because you’re applying it right away
- You waste less time on knowledge that never gets used
- You focus on impact rather than consumption
Free Resources for JIT Learning
Instead of recommending another course you “should” take (and probably won’t finish), here are some free resources to bookmark and access when you actually need them:
HubSpot Academy
From crafting compelling content to mastering SEO fundamentals, HubSpot Academy offers practical, actionable courses that won’t leave you drowning in theory. Plus, the majority of courses are free and you can receive a certificate of completion afterwards.
This is for you if: You’re trying to grow your business but your marketing feels scattered and ineffective. Their bite-sized courses let you learn specific skills right when you need them.
Alex Hormozi’s Free Trainings
Alex cuts through the fluff and delivers straightforward frameworks for creating irresistible offers and generating qualified leads. Following his approach has been a game changer for my business, and you can apply what you’ve learned over a weekend.
This is for you if: You know your product or service is valuable, but you’re struggling to explain your offer in a way that makes prospects say “I need this now.” His no-nonsense approach will help you get clarity fast.
28-Day Mindfulness Challenge
Because it’s not all nuts and bolts. Mindfulness is the key to staying focused in the moment, which is where mastery occurs. When you lock in on the current moment, you’ll be able to share stories others overlooked and discover opportunities that may have otherwise been missed.
And before you ask, yes, this one is free too.
This is for you if: You find yourself constantly scattered, overwhelmed, or unable to focus on implementing what you’ve learned. This practice will help you stay present and make better decisions about where to invest your learning time.
Your Turn: The 90-Day Skill Audit
Instead of asking “What should I learn next?”, try this more focused approach:
What’s one specific goal you want to achieve in the next 90 days?
Now ask yourself:
- What specific skills do I need to develop to achieve this goal?
- What’s the minimum effective dose of learning required?
- Where can I access that knowledge when I need it?
Drop this into ChatGPT for a personalized learning roadmap:
“My goal for the next 90 days is [your goal]. What are the 2-3 core skills I need to develop to achieve this? For each skill, what’s the minimum I need to learn, and when should I learn it to apply it immediately?”
The Bottom Line
Stop learning for someday. Start learning for today.
Your knowledge isn’t valuable until you put it to work.
Stay focused. Stay practical. Stay Savage.
—Terry
PS: What skill do you need to learn right now, not someday? Reply and let me know what you’re working on, and I might be able to point you to the perfect resource to learn it just in time.
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