A few times a week somebody invariably asks me how I keep up to date with technology. I can answer the question with one word - study. This is something I have written about on my blog.

If you dig into the habits of those who have accomplished a great deal in their field you will find preparation at their core. For example, it's easy to call billionaire Mark Cuban a success. He has definitely earned the right to kick back. However, he doesn't. Mark regularly digs into off-the-beaten path magazines like Communications Technology and ScreenPlays in search of the next big thing. He is a role model for anyone who aspires to succeed.

So where should you start? My advice is to use a RSS reader to follow both long-time technology reporters and emerging blogosphere voices.

Veteran technology journalists are a harbinger of things to come. They have been around the block and have seen lots of bubbles and bursts. When I worked for CMP Media in the 1990s, then one of the big three tech trade publishers, I learned that if you follow certain reporters closely you can be early in spotting trends.

This is why today I still read publications like CMP's venerable EE Times for stories like this one I recently spotted called "Beyond the iPhone." Another reporter I watch closely is John Markoff at the New York Times. He first wrote about "cloud computing" way back in 2001 when he profiled Dave Winer. Today this is all the rage in the biz.

Even if you're not that into technology, it's helpful to follow a handful of bloggers who follow big digital trends. My personal favorites are Dave Winer (who first started blogging back in 1997 and invented RSS) Gigaom, Read Write Web and jkOnTheRun.

I wish there was an easier way to keep up, unfortunately as NFL legendary coach Bill Parcells is fond of saying: "there are no shortcuts."