Validated Learning
Validated learning is a concept that I have begun to explore recently, specifically in conjunction with entrepreneurial goals. The idea behind validated learning is that you perform a task, record how it was performed, then observe and analyse the outcome. With the data gathered you are able to validate any prior hypotheses and ensure that subsequent attempts build off the growing body of knowledge of successes and failures.
Advertising is an example of where validated learning is beneficial. You post an advert on social media, you record everything about the construction and sharing of the advert as well as why each step was taken, then you post and observe the interaction metrics. Even with low interaction metrics, the advert can still be considered successful. This is because with validated learning, you have taken on the mantle of a scientist. A ‘failure’ before meant a dead end and an uncertain next step. With validated learning and the supporting processes, a poorly performing social media advert gives you loads of information for what to improve upon next time.
Of course, the true benefit of validated learning is fully realised at mass, over the course of hundreds of iterations. Thanks to a large sample size and deep analysis, you will have confirmed concepts and hypotheses, therefore moving away from the realm of the hypothetical and towards the practical and workable.
My initial run in with this concept was through the book The Lean Startup by Eric Ries. The book detailed many different concepts but chief among them was the emphasis on iteration, specifically iteration backed by data. Build, test, adapt, build again. I confess that at the time, while interesting, I did not action the advice given. It floated in my headspace for a while but no genuine attempts manifested. That was until a few months after where a video by Alex Hormozi re-itereated similar concepts in a different environment. Alex referred specifically to his process of validated learning through the concept of a Common Factor Analysis. A processes he performs constantly to gauge successes and learn from any action within his business, whether that be sales, advertising, content creation or other measurable events. He detailed how after performing a CFA, he would take what worked and repeat it, while discarding entirely what didn’t. It was only at this point that I started to understand the uses of validated learning and decided to try it for myself. My initial attempts at this will be focused on tracking content performance on the blog, as well as the effectiveness of social media posts in advertising my Xue Ba Beyond product. All of this will be tracked and monitored in specific templates I designed for this use case on the note-taking software, Obsidian.
Obsidian
A new joy for me. A new hobby. I had tried Obsidian numerous times in the past and it didn’t click. The latest effort I began by focusing entirely on changing the appearance of the workspace and how it was organised. Next I came up with a simple, repeatable process for when and how to track notes, ideas and drafts. It was slow at first but once I got on a roll, I was hooked. Watching my network of thoughts expand and link into intricate webs felt amazing.
Unlike many productivity gurus online, I don’t think Obsidian or any other note-taking software will make you superhuman in regard to productive output or achievement. For me it has been simple fun to keep track of different ideas linking over time.
For the past 4 years I had predominantly been using Notion for general productivity, note taking and organisation. While it was incredible at everything I threw at it, ultimately I began to hate the idea that my data did not belong to me. I was at the behest of the cloud. Obsidian solved that by making my files available to me locally. No more cloud anxiety. A sphere of control.
Media Reviews
Music Review: They Left Me With The Sword + They Left Me With A Gun EPs by Paris Texas
Random music video on Youtube. They Left Me With A Gun. All it took was 30 seconds and they had me. Music kicks in. Weird vibes spring to life. Hooked. Funny music videos and awesome music. I watched the videos out of order and should have started with They Left Me With The Sword but I still had an absolutely great time. Both videos are around 5 minutes in length and act as music videos for all the songs on the respective EPs. Its Hip Hop with guitars but not in a cheesy way. The songs are catchy and fun to sing along to. I highly encourage anyone even vaguely interested to check the videos out.
Video Game Review: Oblivion Remastered
A well-known, legendary game. Fresh life breathed into it with improved graphics and small tweaks to systems that make the game more approachable. My personal opinion is that Oblivion has way better quest writing than Skyrim, but Skyrim still takes the cake when it comes to exploration and the feeling of wonder. It is pretty interesting to dive in and experience again how terrible the dungeon design is in Oblivion compared to Skyrim. Terribly repetitive and with no loop-backs, meaning that three levels into an Oblivion dungeon is three levels you will need to track back once you have completed it. It was and still is a killer of exploration and replaces feelings of adventure with dread and tedium. Still, Oblivion takes the spot for one of my favourite games of all time, though the nostalgia factor is a strong multiplier.
Book Review: Mechanicum by Graham McNeill
Definitely not going to review all of the 40K Horus Heresy books. That would be a mountain of a task and would constrict the breadth of the blog considerably. This book is up for review simply because it was the only one I read this month. It was a bit of a struggle especially in the beginning. I have jumped around a lot in the reading order for HH series. I had been reading a lot of Primarch heavy books and wanted to try something different, so I decided to check out what was happening on Mars. Typical Chaos hijinks. I am not interested at all in mech combat so entire chapters went by where I was just trying to reach the end. All in all, it was still fun to see Chaos so close to Terra. I would say for me it was worth a read for the theme change and context on what has been happening away from Isstvan.
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