Photo by Compare Fibre on Unsplash

Not too long ago, learning was a privilege reserved for a select few. If you wanted to learn a new skill, you had to go through the gates of an institution, be accepted, and often pay a high price for the opportunity.

Today, things have changed. If you have a computer and a stable internet connection, the world’s knowledge is at your fingertips.

So what does this shift mean for our personal growth and self-development?

For one, it removes many of the traditional barriers to learning. We can no longer say, “I don’t know how to do that” as an excuse. If there’s something we want to learn, chances are, we can access the resources to do so.

It also means that we can grow at a much faster pace. The ability to quickly access information allows us to experiment, iterate, and improve in ways that were once unimaginable.

I’ve noticed this firsthand in my own life. The speed at which I can develop new ideas, refine them, and put them into action has increased dramatically. Whenever I have a question or a curiosity, I can find an answer almost instantly. That’s a huge shift from just a few years ago, and it’s one we often take for granted.

For example, I was able to build, launch and optimize my website in just a few months. What started as just an idea ended up being an enjoyable project because of the access to knowledge and tools that I have. Building hulela.co.za was an experience that allowed me to get from learning to building to deployment quickly.

But while access has become easier, there’s still one major limitation: our own mindset.

Once the barrier of accessibility is removed, what holds us back isn’t a lack of resources—it’s how we choose to use them. The internet is a tool, and like any tool, its impact depends on how we use it.

One of the most overlooked aspects of personal growth is recognizing and leveraging our unfair advantages.

An unfair advantage is something you have that many others don’t—whether it’s access to technology, financial stability, strong support systems, or simply being in an environment that encourages growth. Acknowledging these advantages isn’t about guilt; it’s about awareness.

At times, it can feel uncomfortable knowing you have resources that others might not. That discomfort can make us hesitant to fully use what we have. But rather than letting it hold us back, we should use it as fuel—to not only better ourselves but also to uplift those around us.

Progress is not a zero-sum game. The more we grow, the more we can contribute, share, and create opportunities for others.

Technology has opened doors that were once tightly shut. The real question is: now that the doors are open, will we step through them?