We are probably living in the only era where knowledge is open, public, free, instant, and high quality. If you have any device with internet access, you’re able to find absolutely everything. So the questions are:
- Why do you keep asking people questions?
- How can you say: I do not know this?
- Why are you not already an expert in a topic you should dominate by now?
- What is stopping you from being the best in the area you’ve decided to develop?
I’m lucky enough to have kids from a generation that understands knowledge is free, easy, and accessible. One taught himself to play piano—very close to pro level—out of the blue, with no innate musical talent. Another learned to research like a god for debate and speech, and became the best in class. The other trained himself to be a master in his sport using Virtual Reality. I watch them develop random skills to a high level, in a way that seems so effortless and free!
Now we, adults—at work or at home—keep getting stuck. We keep thinking: I can’t do this. I do not know. This is not my expertise. I wasn’t hired for this. This is somebody else’s problem. I didn’t study this. I don’t have experience in this. I do not know!!!
Yada, yada, yada. You don’t know. Guess what? I don’t either. But the difference between me and you is that I’m going to figure it out. Period.
Accounting? Painting? Coding? Sales? Writing? You name it—I’ll make it happen.
When you don’t know, you have two options: stop and freeze, or go out and find the answers. They’re available—for free, most of the time—somewhere. Just do it!
Here are my top 5 free resource recommendations on the internet. You’re WELCOME!
1. Coursera (Free Courses)
• Website: coursera.org
• Best for: Academic and professional skills from top universities (e.g., Stanford, Yale, Google).
• Note: Many courses are free to audit (no certificate).
2. Khan Academy
• Website: khanacademy.org
• Best for: Foundational subjects like math, science, economics, and personal finance.
• Strength: Completely free, beautifully structured, and easy to follow.
3. YouTube (Skill-focused Channels)
• Website: youtube.com
• Best for: Practically any skill—coding, design, DIY, cooking, languages, fitness.
• Top Channels:
• CrashCourse (general education)
• freeCodeCamp (coding)
• Ali Abdaal (productivity/learning)
• Skill Builder (hands-on skills)
• Tip: Use playlists and subscribe to quality channels for structure.
4. MIT OpenCourseWare
• Website: ocw.mit.edu
• Best for: Advanced learners interested in deep topics (engineering, philosophy, computer science).
• Perk: No sign-up required. Real MIT course content—syllabi, lectures, assignments.
5. FutureLearn (Free Access Tier)
• Website: futurelearn.com
• Best for: Career skills, business, healthcare, creative writing, and digital tech.
• Bonus: Offers community discussions, which help people stay engaged.
