Introduction
Welcome back to the weekly newsletter.
This time we’ll talk about growth. Especially when big goals feel vague or skills feel messy. Let’s fix that. This week, we’ll turn one core skill into a clear map you can train with focus. You’ll see the whole skill, choose one branch, and build real lift in weeks.
Weekly highlight: Diagram one core skill into 5–7 sub-skills.
A Skill Tree makes growth simple. You draw the whole skill, then pick one branch to train now. This keeps focus tight and progress visible. When the branch gets strong, you move to the next. Step by step, the tree fills out. That’s how you build real range without getting lost.
It’s all about focus and compounding effect. Random practice wastes time. A Skill Tree shows the parts of a skill and how they link. You avoid weak-spot hiding and “busy learning” and you spot gaps. You target them and improve faster.
Pick One Core Skill
Choose a skill that moves your goals. Public speaking. Data analysis. Writing. Leadership communication. Pick one. Write it at the top of a page. This is your “trunk.”
Break It Into 5–7 Sub-Skills
List the branches. Keep them concrete.
- For speaking: Story, Structure, Clarity, Voice, Delivery, Slides, Q&A.
- For analysis: Problem framing, Data cleaning, Modeling, Visualization, Insight, Recommendation, Stakeholder story.
Aim for 5–7. Fewer gets blurred. More gets complicated.
Define What “Good” Means
For each branch, write one line of “good.” Example:
- “Structure = clear open, 3 points, clean close.”
- “Visualization = chart fits question; label for insight.”
Simple standards reduce guessing. You now have targets you can hit.
Choose the Next Branch to Train
Do a fast self-rating (1–5) for each branch. Circle the lowest that also has high impact on your work. That is your training focus for the next month. One branch only. “This month I train Delivery” (or “Modeling,” etc.).
Build a Tiny Drill
Turn the branch into a 10–15 minute drill. Repeatable. Measurable.
- Speaking: record a 90-second story with clear open and close.
- Analysis: clean a small messy dataset and produce one chart + one sentence.
- Writing: draft a 150-word summary with a strong headline.
One drill. Daily if you can. Five days a week is enough.
Install a Simple Metric
Pick one metric that matters. Words per minute with clarity. Time to first draft. Errors per 100 rows. Slide count cut while keeping meaning. Track it on a tiny log. Date, drill, metric. No big app needed. A sticky note works.
Run 4-Week Cycles
- Week 1: Learn the drill.
- Week 2: Add speed.
- Week 3: Add quality.
- Week 4: Add pressure (timer, audience, real stakes).
Keep the same drill so you can see real lift. Don’t switch branches mid-month unless the drill was wrong from the start.
Close the Loop
At the end of week 4, compare your metric and samples to week 1. Save a “before/after” file or clip. Note one lesson to keep and one tweak for next month. If the branch is still weak, run one more month with a sharper drill. If it’s strong, choose the next branch and repeat.
When You Plateau
If the metric flat-lines for 10–14 days, change one thing: a new constraint (shorter length, fewer slides), or tighter feedback. Keep the branch and change the method. Plateaus are method problems, not “you” problems.
Proof of Growth
Create a “Growth Portfolio” folder. Store your best weekly outputs there. Label by date and branch. This becomes proof for reviews, clients, and your own belief. Progress you can see is progress you can repeat.
Application
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Choose your trunk: Write one core skill at the top of a blank page.
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Map 5–7 branches: List concrete sub-skills that drive results.
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Select your branch: Circle the lowest, highest-impact branch for this month.
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Design one drill (10–15 min): Make it repeatable and measurable.
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Pick one metric: Speed, accuracy, quality, or impact; track daily.
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Run a 4-week cycle: Learn → Speed → Quality → Pressure.
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Store proof: Save week-1 and week-4 outputs in a Growth Portfolio.
Summary
A Skill Tree turns vague effort into targeted growth. Map the skill. Pick one branch. Drill with a metric for four weeks. Log proof. Repeat. That’s how you stack real capability in a fast, visible, and compounding way.
Till next time,
Maciej
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