How to learn anything fast

Josh Kaufman’s “20 hours rule” crushes the myth that it takes 10,000 hours to get good at something. For marketers, that’s huge. You don’t need a lifetime to get solid at copywriting, SEO, or TikTok ads—you just need focused bursts of smart practice.

The 5-Step Marketing Skill Sprint

1. Decide what you want – “Be better at content” is too vague. “Write 5 high-converting emails” is clear.
2. Deconstruct the skill – Email marketing = headlines, hooks, CTAs. Practice each part separately.
3. Research the essentials – Find the 3–5 ideas that keep popping up in the top tutorials.
4. Remove friction – Block notifications, open your tools, set a timer for 90 minutes.
5. Commit to 20 hours – Push through the awkward beginner phase.

Why This Works

• Focus beats time.
• Small wins build momentum.
• Clarity reduces overwhelm.
• No distractions = deeper practice.

Real-World Marketing Examples

• Noah Kagan learned Facebook Ads in a week, spending under $100.
• Copyhackers’ Joanna Wiebe built a 5-day copywriting challenge that teaches through 20-minute tasks.
• Buffer’s team learned TikTok marketing by testing 20 videos in 20 days—views jumped 300%.