Effortless Methods for Learning Something New
Our desire to learn something new stems from our natural curiosity. However, curiosity alone will not suffice; we must continue the task we have begun. If your cat snooping over the keys looks better than you on your third day at the computer, you'll feel disheartened and give up.
The author of The First 20 Hours and The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business, Josh Kaufman, offers a few theories as to why most of us abandon our goals. “Feeling foolish is never a good feeling, and you always feel stupid when you're learning anything new,” Kaufman explains.
When you start learning something new utilising the methods he discovered through trial and error, you need to cross that key threshold in just 20 hours, according to Kaufman. So, what's the big deal about 20 hours? “I think 20 is a good amount. Even if you miss a few days, you can make up for it by exercising for 45 minutes every day for a month,” she advises.
Take it one step at a time. The first step is to pick what you want to study, and then take it one step at a time. Let's pretend you want to learn how to bake bread. Kneading the dough, allowing it to ferment, shaping it into a loaf of bread, and baking it in the oven is a lengthy procedure. To begin, make a list of the supplies and abilities you'll require.
Alternatively, you might be interested in yoga. Before enrolling in the course, attempt to learn breathing techniques and basic poses at home by watching videos.
You have to keep going until you understand you've made a mistake. According to Kaufman, “scan three or five sources to properly understand what you're seeking to learn.” “It can be books, DVDs, or anything else as long as you don't use them to avoid doing what you need to do.” After all, you don't learn to bake bread or practise yoga by sprinkling flour on the counter or placing your yoga mat on the floor.
You should keep the number of resources you apply for to a minimum. You are not required to read every book or view every video on the subject of your choice. These will be completed later.
Remove any impediments to your cultivation. You can, for example, put your technological devices aside when engaging in your pastime. Alternatively, you might be inventive and integrate your new passion with an existing pastime. Behavioral scientist Katherine Milkman suggests combining hobbies you enjoy with jobs you undertake merely for the pleasure of it in a TEDxPenn address. You can listen to your favourite radio station while preparing your own bread, or you can bring a friend over for coffee with whom you meet once a week to do yoga.
Put in at least 20 hours of practise time on your new ability. You'll always feel inadequate in the beginning. To get over this hump, you'll need to devote at least 20 hours to your new interest. "You'll be astonished at how good you are," Kaufman adds once you reach that point.