356: Lean Learning | Pat Flynn

How Learning Less Can Help You Achieve More with Pat Flynn

In the world of authorship and digital entrepreneurship, few names carry as much respect as Pat Flynn. In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I share the story of my apprenticeship under Pat—a journey rooted in service, vulnerability, and taking fast, decisive action. Our conversation delved deep into the principles at the core of Pat’s latest book, Lean Learning: How to Achieve More by Learning Less, and unpacked how stepping forward before you feel “ready” is often the key to breakthroughs.

The Leap from Service: From Apprentice to Coach

My opening story brings home a crucial lesson: service creates opportunity. With no clear business plan or income stream, I attended a mastermind hosted by Pat Flynn and Chris Ducker, armed only with my book, The Art of Apprenticeship. “I didn’t have a business idea, but I had a book,” I recount. That act of service—sharing what I’d learned—led Pat himself to ask me for help writing Will It Fly? (which later became a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller).

This isn’t just a feel-good anecdote. It’s a demonstration of Pat Flynn’s philosophy: you don’t need to be an expert to move forward. Show up. Offer value. The path will emerge, often in unexpected ways.

Welcome to the Age of Lean Learning

Pat’s new book tackles a challenge all modern creators face: information overload. “Our brains didn’t evolve to absorb the flood of information coming our way,” Pat explains. The old “just-in-case” learning model—hoarding information you think you might need—is now a liability. Instead, Pat champions “just-in-time” learning: acquire knowledge only when it’s directly relevant to your current step.

He credits this approach for his multifaceted success, from podcasts to product inventions to YouTube channels. Whether writing an ebook, launching a business, or inventing a product like the Switchpod, Pat advances by identifying the very next step, acting decisively, and only seeking knowledge as each new challenge arises.

Action Over Information: The Power of Momentum and Community

A central tenet of Lean Learning is to prioritize action over endless preparation. Pat recalls his early days: “I knew none of it. But I knew that none of it mattered until I wrote the thing.” By channeling his energy into doing—the book first, formatting later—he gained motivation, discovered real-world problems, and built momentum. When he faced new unknowns, he reached out to a community that had walked the path before.

This learning-by-doing approach accelerates growth. “If I had tried to learn everything before starting, it would never have happened,” Pat insists. Today, with information more abundant—and overwhelming—than ever, this focus on action is even more vital.

Power 10s: Sprints That Propel You Forward

One standout insight is Pat’s analogy from his college rowing days: the “Power 10.” In a race, a coxswain might call for ten all-out rowing strokes, temporarily boosting the boat ahead of the competition. In creative life, Pat urges us to build intentional Power 10 moments—a defined burst of intense focus.

Whether it’s writing a book draft in 10 days for a publisher or launching a week-long daily podcast series, short sprints create breakthroughs. As I share, adopting this mindset helped him pivot quickly to screenwriting without falling into analysis paralysis.

Battling Anti-Champions and Embracing Failure

No journey is free from criticism or setbacks. Both Pat and I discuss our encounters with trolls and unsupportive voices. The lesson: don’t let the zombies and vampires (toxic critics) drain your energy. Focus on those you serve and let failure come early and often—after all, rapid iteration is the path to mastery.

Traditional vs. Self-Publishing: Why Pat Tried Both

For Lean Learning, Pat chose the traditional publishing route intentionally, seeking the resources and reach of a larger publisher—especially as his message extends beyond the entrepreneurial sphere. The trade-off: a much longer, sometimes more frustrating process. But even here, Pat’s Lean Learning principles held true—the best writing emerged under a 10-day deadline, harnessing the power of focused sprints.

Lean In, Learn Fast

Pat Flynn’s journey and the blueprint offered in Lean Learning remind us that growth comes from action—not exhaustive preparation. Serve first, learn in real time, embrace sprints, and don’t let fear or criticism slow you down. The future, as Pat says, belongs not to those who know the most, but to those who can learn the fastest. Start your Power 10 today—and let your next chapter begin.

Join us again next week for more captivating insights from influential authors and publishing experts. Remember to subscribe to Authors Who Lead and visit our website for more show notes and past interviews.

That’s all for this week. If you have a message inside of you that needs to be written, today is the day to start. Don’t delay—take action.