I too spend time learning breadth of topics, including startups (though it is orthogonal to my work). However, I retain very little after a while. I stumbled in

I too spend time learning breadth of topics, including startups (though it is orthogonal to my work). However, I retain very little after a while. I stumbled in to Edgar Dale's "Cone of Learning" or "Pyramid of Learning" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Dale https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Dale Based on that, I plan to teach whatever I learn (God save the listener/viewer!) by compiling short videos and unleashing it on the common man, via youtube. Also, note the criticism of above research/ideas at this blog: http://www.danielwillingham.com/daniel-willingham-science-and-education-blog/cone-of-learning-or-cone-of-shame http://www.danielwillingham.com/daniel-willingham-science-an... One more thing that kept me motivated during learning is to build tiny projects along the way (in case of technical learning). The take away from this is regular positive reward can be a good motivator.