Sharpen the Saw: How Learning Builds Confidence, Clarity, and Staying Power
Most people want to be sharper, more effective, and more confident in their work. But few actually stop to sharpen the saw.
In this episode of The Lizard Eating Its Tail, Brandon Keenen explores the psychology of learning as a long-term competitive advantage. It is not just about reading more or keeping up with trends. It is about building a personal system that keeps your mind sharp, your thinking flexible, and your confidence rooted in real knowledge.
Brandon shares a personal story from early in his career, when he worked at AOL. At the time, he felt a gap between the work he was doing and the knowledge he needed to lead with confidence. So he set a goal: read one book a week for a year. Marketing, psychology, leadership, systems thinking. After 12 months of focused learning, he could walk into any room and speak with authority. Not because he memorized tactics, but because he had built mental range. That commitment changed the way he showed up—and how others responded to him.
This episode breaks down the science of why learning matters. Research in cognitive psychology shows that regular, active learning builds neural flexibility, reduces decision fatigue, strengthens pattern recognition, and helps leaders regulate their responses in high-pressure environments.
You will learn:
Why most people stop learning after a certain point in their career, and how to break that pattern
How to build a weekly ritual around learning that actually sticks
Why depth is more valuable than volume
How different learning modalities can work together (books, podcasts, research, conversations)
The mindset shift that turns learning into momentum, not pressure
You will also hear a clear, four-part framework for building a personal learning habit that compounds over time:
Set aside a recurring time each week to learn with focus
Choose topics that deepen your core skill set or broaden your context
Mix how you learn: audio, long-form reading, case studies, and reflection
Ask how each insight applies to your current work, mindset, or leadership
This episode is not about hustle. It is about clarity. It is about recognizing that when you commit to learning, you give yourself more options, stronger language, and deeper emotional control.
It is also a reminder that learning is not just a tactic. It is a posture. It is a quiet, long-term way to stay sharp while others burn out or stagnate.
This episode is your reset if you've been stuck in execution mode, unsure how to evolve or gain confidence.
Your mind is the most significant investment you will ever make in your career, not a tool, platform, or tactic. It is your mind. And sharpening it is a habit worth building.
Please let me know if you want a companion blog or newsletter intro or want to line up the Sunday episode next.