Why you should focus on consuming timeless content

I break content into two buckets: 1) timely content and 2) timeless content. Yes; I’ve over-simplified this. But it works to make this point: you should prioritize timeless content over timely content.

Timely content loses its value over time. While it may be useful today, it’s less useful in the future. Daily news is a great example of timely content. Most social media content is timely (think Instagram and Facebook feeds). And most entertainment content is timely (think prime time TV shows).

Timeless content retains its value over time. It is as useful in the future as it is today. Biographies are great examples of timeless content. Also most non-fictions books and historical TV shows are timeless.

I’m not saying you should avoid timely content. It has its place. But timeless content is better for you over the long term. It’s like eating spinach.

Timeless content helps you learn faster. It gives you thinking tools. These tools come in the form of frameworks you can apply and patterns you can recognize. Best of all, these tools compound. The more frameworks and patterns at your disposal, the faster you learn.

Timeless content helps you make better decisions. It helps you avoid making mistakes. By learning from others’ mistakes, you transfer experience. The more experience you transfer, the more likely you are to make the best decision.

How much time are you spending consuming content? 

What percentage of that content is timeless?

How can you increase that percentage?

I’ve found podcasts and audio books to be great ways to fit more timeless content into my day.