Acquiring a new skill can feel daunting, but with the right approach, it's much simpler than you think. Whether you're learning a new language, mastering an instrument, or scaling your business, the process is universal. Today, I want to share a four-step framework that can help you put a new notch on your utility belt, no matter what skill you're aiming for. This isn't just theory—I’ve seen these steps work in fitness, entrepreneurship, and even in personal development.
Step 1: Hire a Coach or Mentor
Let's start with the most critical part—don’t try to do it all alone. The fastest path to success is learning from someone who's already been there, done that. A mentor or coach provides external guidance that you can't get on your own. Think about it—it's hard to read the label when you're stuck inside the bottle. You're too close to your own challenges, so you need someone to point out your blind spots.
Take my friend who’s training for a triathlon.
He hired a coach, not just to keep him company but to hold him accountable to specific performance goals, from his running pace to his nutrition.
The same principle applies to business. If you want to grow from $1 million to $10 million in revenue, partner with someone who’s already made that leap. Learn from their experience and start picking up the strategies they used.
Whether it’s business or learning Spanish (shout-out to my 960-day Duolingo streak!), having that external guide accelerates your progress tenfold.
Step 2: Metrics and Accountability
Hiring a coach is one thing, but what are they holding you accountable for?
You need clear metrics. This is where the magic happens.
Numbers don't lie.
Metrics provide a measurable way to gauge progress, whether it's the number of reps you’re pushing in the gym or the KPIs you’re tracking in your business.
Think of metrics as the scoreboard in a game. Imagine bowling and not knowing how many pins you knocked down—where’s the fun in that?
Metrics gamify the learning process. For example, when my kids take music lessons, their teachers set quarterly performances, and they know they’ll be graded on their ability to deliver. When you know you’re being measured, you perform better. It’s as simple as that.
Step 3: Catalytic Event
There has to be a catalytic event—a moment where things get real, where failure has consequences. This doesn’t mean you need to have a catastrophic loss, but there should be some pain associated with not hitting your goal.
For my friend running the triathlon, his event is the race day. For others, it might be putting money on the line by hiring a coach or entering a competition.
Having skin in the game changes everything.
Ethan When you’re accountable for results, and there’s a consequence for not delivering, you’ll work harder.
Think of it like Arnold Schwarzenegger and his calves. He was so dissatisfied with how small they were that he forced himself to wear shorts to the gym every day to expose his weak point. Talk about using humiliation as motivation! That public accountability was his catalytic event.
Step 4: Set a Deadline
The great Duke Ellington said, “I don’t need time, what I need is a deadline.”
Having a clear end date forces action. I tell my fitness clients in 6-Pack Dads to book a “shirt-off event.” Knowing they’ll be on vacation or at a physique contest motivates them to stick to their plan.
Deadlines create urgency, and urgency drives results.
Without a deadline, it's easy to procrastinate and push things off. But with a deadline, whether it’s a public speaking event or a fitness competition, the clock is ticking. You either rise to the occasion or fall short.
Wrap-Up
So, there you have it: Hire a mentor, track your metrics, create a catalytic event, and set a deadline. Follow these four steps, and you’ll be well on your way to acquiring any new skill you set your sights on. Remember, the faster you take action, the faster you’ll see results.
Listen to the full podcast episode where Justin King and I discuss these steps here.
Let’s go out there and crush it!
Leave a comment