How to master the lifelong learning method and develop new skills every day
If you look at successful people, you will notice that many of them have achieved heights not because of talent and luck, but due to continuous personal growth and education. They took the time to reflect on what they wanted to learn and how best to plan the process. And then we proceeded with all determination to the practical part. It turns out that everyone can succeed.
Over the past three years, I have found time to figure out what interests me: from growth marketing to bitcoin and blockchain . Also developed UI / UX design and front-end development skills useful for my career. The lifelong learning system helped me in this.
A key step in creating the right learning environment is figuring out where to start. Therefore, you need to put together a short list of topics and skills to master for the next few months.
From the themes you can choose, for example, the same cryptocurrency, health and fitness or mental health. Skills - programming, design or learning a foreign language. In general, focus on your own interests.
After compiling the list, all positions in it need to be arranged in priority order. Be based on criteria that are important to you. For example, does it help your career, are you enthusiastic, how difficult it will be to learn it. The list should be two to three very specific items so you can focus when you start learning.
You can draw a table and rate the criteria for each topic or skill on a scale of 1 to 10. Or just trust your intuition - do as you like.
Ideally, you need to remove from the list positions that will not help your career , are not particularly interesting to you and are difficult to accomplish in a given time frame.
The next step is to define your learning style so that it goes as quickly as possible.
Among the classifications of learning styles, Neil Fleming's VARK model is very popular. According to her, there are four learning styles: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and reading and writing.
Visual - learners perceive images, graphs, diagrams, and the like. If you love watching tutorial videos, you are a visual.
Auditory - Audials are better at hearing information. If you memorized well everything that you told in the lectures, then you should find a tutor or try listening to podcasts.
Kinesthetic - Kinesthetics need hands-on experience.
Reading and Writing - Learning happens most effectively while reading . Capturing important points is an added benefit.
Of course, in the real world, most learn in several different styles at once. And you, most likely, also gain knowledge in different ways. So, before I was a visual: I had to watch online courses to learn something. But since then I've also started listening to podcasts and audiobooks, reading articles and other printed materials.
Consider which learning style is more comfortable for you. Many people will prefer video, but listening to audio and reading is also effective.
Once you've figured out what you will learn and how, it is time to find resources. The first thing they usually do is open up Google and type something like "best UI / UX design books" or "best JavaScript courses" into the search bar. However, Google is not always the best solution.
A better strategy is to find an expert in the field you plan to study. You will be lucky if you manage to do this through your contacts, but you can also go to the Internet. Ask an expert to recommend paid and free sources that he used and was pleased with.
Or, instead of flipping through general lists of online courses, read expert articles with one or two sources they like. Your best bet is to find a resource that is recommended by different experts in your area of interest. What works for one person may not work for another. Search until you find a source - an article, book, video, or podcast - that is authoritative, interesting, and informative.
One of the most important steps is planning study time. If you are a student or work, your schedule is already hectic, so you may not have time for additional knowledge.
But, be it 20 minutes or one hour a day, we can still carve out some time. You just need to minimize unimportant and useless things - scrolling the feed on social networks, for example. Instead, take up teaching.
I always listen to podcasts while I eat breakfast. I read a book while waiting for the class to begin in front of an audience. I spend most of my free time studying. I think you can do it too.
It's better to dive into a new topic with a partner. You will be able to control each other and discuss incomprehensible points. Or he will simply motivate you.
When you are already well-versed in the issue that you have begun to study, you can tell others about the topic and pass on your knowledge, it's time to move on. Go back to the first step, open the list and do the same to learn something else, or add new goals to the list. Have fun with it!
In the end, there is no excuse for this. But there are many ways to learn that you only need 20 minutes a day. If you are one of those who need a kick, sign up for an online or offline course to get the incentive. Or take an internship, take on a project that will help you learn a new skill.
If you are too busy in your main studies or work , that also does not excuse you. Listen to podcasts or watch informative videos while dining or on the road.
If you need to relieve tension, watch a program that is both entertaining and useful information. For example, I love the series Silicon Valley.
In general, there are no excuses. Until you get used to spending so much time on self-education, take one or two days off to relax. Soon you will be able to learn continuously and you will realize how pleasant it really is. Take the first step towards new knowledge and you will find that it can be a lot of fun.
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