Josh Kaufman author photo
Image via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Josh Kaufman

Josh Kaufman is an American business author and educator who writes about practical business skills, learning, and productivity. He is best known for The Personal MBA, which distills core management concepts for self-directed learners, and The First 20 Hours, a book on rapid skill acquisition and deliberate practice.

Biography & Author's Journey

Josh Kaufman’s career grew out of an unusually practical blend of technology, business, and self-directed study. He attended the University of Cincinnati, where he began in computer engineering, moved into business information technology, and spent part of his education working inside Procter & Gamble. At P&G he first handled early web and IT work, then moved into brand management and broader business responsibilities involving product development, consumer research, and sales across major household brands such as Mr. Clean, Swiffer, Dawn, Cascade, and Febreze. He has also described having a small web-design business in high school, an early sign of the entrepreneurial bent that would later define his work. The decisive turning point came just before graduation, when he realized many future colleagues held elite MBA credentials; rather than return to school, he began an intensive independent reading program in business, building the research habit that became the foundation of his authorship. ((https://www.indiehackers.com/podcast/049-josh-kaufman-of-the-personal-mba))

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Quotes

quote
My answer is simple. I don’t watch TV
-Need more time to read? Get rid of your TV
quote
If you want to “find” time, you must MAKE time
-Time is Never 'Found' for ANYTHING
quote
No doing, no becoming. Labels are meaningless
-Do To Become
quote
Don't fear failure. Fear not trying at all
-Kakorrhaphiophobia: Persistent, All-Consuming Fear of Failure
quote
Specialization only works if things don’t change - and things always change
-The Downside of Specialization
quote
You can't make positive discoveries that make your life better if you never try anything new
-Explore / Exploit
quote
If it's not true, not useful, or not clear, it's probably best to find another resource unless your purpose is entertainment
-True, Useful, and Clear
quote
Asking useful questions is a skill, and it requires practice
-How to Ask Useful Questions
quote
Who needs the stock market when you have a gold mine between your ears?
-The Three Best Investments
quote
There’s a big difference between liking the idea of being/doing something and liking the actual being/doing
-The Dangers of Mystique

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Mastering Life, Business & Personal Growth

Mastering Life, Business & Personal Growth

LEARNING PLAN

Mastering Life, Business & Personal Growth

This comprehensive guide bridges the gap between psychological mastery and practical business execution. It is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs and high-performers who want to synchronize their personal habits with professional financial growth.

2 h 46 m4 Sections
Business, Tech & Self-Improvement Mastery

Business, Tech & Self-Improvement Mastery

LEARNING PLAN

Business, Tech & Self-Improvement Mastery

This comprehensive plan bridges the gap between technical proficiency, business acumen, and personal psychology. It is designed for aspiring founders and professionals looking to lead teams and scale their impact in the digital economy.

3 h 19 m4 Sections
Learn Business, Marketing & Productivity

Learn Business, Marketing & Productivity

LEARNING PLAN

Learn Business, Marketing & Productivity

This comprehensive plan bridges the gap between entrepreneurial vision and operational excellence. It is designed for aspiring founders and leaders who need to master the dual challenge of high-level strategy and daily peak productivity.

2 h 58 m4 Sections
Business, Leadership & Personal Growth Skills

Business, Leadership & Personal Growth Skills

LEARNING PLAN

Business, Leadership & Personal Growth Skills

This comprehensive plan bridges the gap between individual productivity and executive-level leadership. It is ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs and managers looking to scale both their personal impact and their business operations.

3 h 41 m4 Sections
Master productivity, mindset & communication

Master productivity, mindset & communication

LEARNING PLAN

Master productivity, mindset & communication

This comprehensive personal development plan is designed for ambitious individuals who want to level up across all dimensions of success—from daily productivity to financial freedom. It's ideal for entrepreneurs, professionals, and high-performers who understand that true success requires mastery of both internal mindset and external skills, from communication to wealth-building.

2 h 4 m4 Sections
Boost business, learn skills & healthy habits

Boost business, learn skills & healthy habits

LEARNING PLAN

Boost business, learn skills & healthy habits

This comprehensive learning plan is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs and business professionals who understand that success requires more than just business acumen—it demands personal optimization and continuous growth. Whether you're launching your first venture, scaling an existing business, or pivoting careers, this plan addresses the critical triad of business knowledge, learning agility, and sustainable high performance that separates thriving entrepreneurs from those who burn out.

1 h 57 m4 Sections
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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

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17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

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