Reset Your Teachers: The Online Ones That Influence Your Life

When I say "reset your teachers," I’m not talking about your school teachers. I’m referring to the online influencers, content creators, and thought leaders you follow, admire, and take notes from.

The Influence of Your Online Teachers

Don’t underestimate their influence. According to DataReportal’s annual Global Overview Report, internet users aged 16 to 64 spend an average of six hours and 40 minutes daily surfing the web on any device. That’s about 47 hours a week and 101 days a year spent online.

With so much time spent on the internet, it’s inevitable that the opinions of the people you follow will shape your own thoughts and beliefs.

The Problem with Online Influence

However, not all of these opinions are beneficial. Sometimes, the content you consume can lead you astray, filling your mind with distractions, unnecessary comparisons, or even misinformation. If you’re struggling to find valuable and reliable sources of information—your online teachers—then it’s time for a reset.

A Simple Strategy: The Rule of Three

One method I’ve tried, and which might help you too, is to pare down your online influences. Remove all but three of your most essential sources.

For example, on YouTube, I unsubscribed from every channel except for three that I couldn’t live without. This approach had a surprising and positive impact:

1. Minimize Distractions

By limiting the number of channels I follow, I no longer felt overwhelmed by the constant flood of new videos that I didn’t really care about. My attention was no longer being pulled in a hundred different directions.

2. Focus on Quality Content

The three channels I kept were mainly educational. I started creating playlists of their content, which allowed me to binge-watch them in a focused way, consuming all the related material in one go.

3. Improve Retention of Information

By watching content in clusters, I found that I retained information better. The ideas and lessons from these videos stayed with me longer and became more integrated into my knowledge base.

4. Enhance Focus and Knowledge

After testing this approach for three months, I noticed that I became more focused and knowledgeable about the topics I cared most about. With fewer distractions, I could dive deeper into the subjects that mattered to me.

5. Give It a Try

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or scattered in your online learning, give this method a shot. Unsubscribe from all but three sources and see how it changes your focus, your learning, and your overall online experience.

Let me know the results—I'd love to hear how it works for you.

Reset your online teachers today, and take control of the information that shapes your thoughts and guides your actions.

Did you find it useful?

Consider sending this to someone who might benefit from its message.

Thank you for reading, and don't forget—come and say hi on LinkedIn!

Until next time,

Georgios Tragkas