Smart People Just Know How to Use Google
Everyone in my life who is called smart has one thing in common — I’ll get to in second, but first, I want to address the term smart.
I have never really liked the word smart. It’s such a subjective term, and feeling like you lack smartness can destroy your self-confidence.
Regardless, I was often called smart in school, and it always baffled me a little bit. I got good grades, but I was horrible at memorizing facts and terms.
But now I’ve finally figured out why I was always called smart. Somehow I learned a life hack early on in life that still benefits me to this day — I learned how to research, think critically and learn new skills independently. In other words, I learned to Google things correctly.
There’s a Right Way to Google?
Sure, there’s a right way to Google.
You need a few things —
A Question or Goal
The Right Keywords
Critical Thinking Skills
Patience
I have a strong belief that you can learn anything if you have any semblance of passion for the subject. Because with passion comes a curiosity for your topic (questions), analyzing and problem-solving (critical thinking), and a determination to learn as much as possible (patience).
Googling one phrase and giving up isn’t how you end up looking “smart.”
Let’s look at an example to illustrate this better.
If I Google Motion Design, I get a bunch of helpful information. There are tutorials on getting started in motion design. A People also ask section provides answers to What is motion design? How do I become a motion designer? And more. You keep scrolling, and you get a link to Motion Design School and college programs and a Wikipedia page.
Even though I just Googled a subject, Google is pretty intelligent nowadays. So I got suggested questions to ask, more keywords to search, and plenty of content to explore.
But what if you don’t have the right word to search? That was my issue when I was getting into the motion design industry.
I had to research and Google enough just to find out the right thing to Google! I needed that keyword that would open my world.
Back then, I probably would have Googled Visual Effects. From my video background, VFX was the only way I could see myself getting into animation — since I couldn't draw very well.
I remember watching endless YouTube tutorials on making lightsabers and adding explosions to your home movies. This natural urge to explore and learn allowed me to make connections and find new keywords to search.
Through all this watching and searching, I found my breakthrough keyword — After Effects. Now that I had this keyword to use, I learned more about this crazy program that could let me make cool title sequences for my films. Something I’d soon learn through a few more videos and articles was called motion design.
I don’t just do this with big topics I want to learn about for work. When something’s wrong with my computer or car, I’ll turn to Google before a support desk or mechanic.
If you pay a mechanic an arm and a leg to replace windshield wipers, air filters, or lightbulbs, give the art of Googling a try. Your wallet will thank me.
