“Formal education will make you a living. Self-education will make you a fortune.”
–Jim Rohn
You probably have some idea what you want to do in 2017.
As for me, I know this: If I keep investing in my most important skills, if I deliberately build strength where I want to be strong, I will find the right opportunities.
I have great writers on my bookshelf (and in my phone), and dreams of becoming just like them.
But in 2017 I’m bringing all those high and mighty ideals down to earth.
Can I motivate people to action with my writing? The operative term here is “I.” Others have already done it, and they’re going to be my teachers.
Zig Ziglar said that nothing ever happens until a sale is made. Good writing can make thousands of sales. 
Revisiting the Old Masters
For my birthday, my wife gave me a copy of Mastery by Robert Greene. One of the first steps of becoming a master at anything is an apprenticeship, where you learn by watching and imitating the masters.
Sadly, there are few real apprenticeship opportunities today, but Robert Greene suggests you create your own apprenticeship. That’s what I’ve done here.
I have dozens of books on writing, selling, creativity and business. I’ve read most of them. Some are like old friends, dog-eared and full of highlighter marks and notes in the margins. Many deserve a long-overdue reread. A few are even autographed by the authors.
Starting in 2017 (this could easily take two years or more), I’m going to go through a self-designed copywriting apprenticeship. I’m going to digest each one of those books, read part of it every day and apply what I learn immediately.
Want to join me in my apprenticeship?
I made a sharable Google doc with a list of all the books and some explanatory notes. The comments are open to anyone who has the link. Maybe you can join me, help me refine the program, or even use it as a jumping off point for your own personal apprenticeship. Here’s the link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KYanQErGW4Bp4vStiB28if-c9IjqVEay_aPCzTvfyGc/edit?usp=sharing
