A good mix with the idea of infinite learners is how we learn. One such strategy is ultralearning.
A new book from Scott H. Young, titled Ultralearning is available now and discusses key concepts for how we can learn new ideas quicker.
Here are a few of the key principles:
- Design your project well – set enough time aside and limit what you are trying to learn
- Train Focus and Productivity – limit distractions and create a system for your learning
- Learn actively – in addition to some required passive learning (lectures, etc.) find opportunities to practice what you are learning
- Get quicker, deeper feedback – find ways to get feedback and create quicker cycles (repetitions)
- Space your practice out – add more practice spread out over time
- Practice more deeply – process what you’re learning (Feynman technique)
- Overlearning – continue to practice even after where you feel you’re no longer seeing any improvement
As is everything, there are various degrees of how much time you’ll spend on each of these. It also depends on what you’re trying to learn.
The best plan is to start today and monitor what works for you – then it becomes an iterative process and you can learn more efficiently…and effectively over time.
The last idea which is very interesting is meta-learning. Part of this process is to reach out to other people who have done what you are looking to do and ask them questions. You may find that there are parts you thought were important to focus on, that aren’t, or parts you hadn’t thought of that you should add to your list to research further.
The book Ultralearning is worth a read, either at your local bookstore, library, or wherever you get your books (audio, e-, or otherwise).
Hi. Do you have any experience in Ultralearning? Have you ever learn a new skill in the way described in this book?
Great questions. The two parts I’ve practiced most is focus and application, when learning something new. I have yet to sit down with the Ultralearning methodology and apply it to a new skill I want to learn.
What parts of Ultralearning have you tried?