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What's the Best Way to Learn Something?04 Feb 2015

Ambition. Overrated? Overused? Abused? Promoting development or unhealthy? In order to get to anything (yes, anything at all) in life, you've got to learn. Anything you're going to want to do will require some skill or knowledge. What are the best ways to learn something then?

Teach it

Very quickly many experts provide this answer, and it has been proven to be true. However not all of us have the ability to do this, particularly with the simpler of skills. So:

Practice

No one can deny, this is the way to go. Practice makes perfect, repetition creates great habits, reinforced further by changing approach to the exercise (trying different things in order to get one result). This will also prevent you from getting bored too quickly.

Don't take too much on in a one go

Unless you're a genius, there will be a limit to how much you can absorb at once. It's usually best to divide the load into smaller items and work through them gradually. By the way, you will enforce the knowledge taken in as first, which will very likely support your understanding of the new material.

Go from the general to the detailed

If what you're learning is complex, it will make a lot of sense to start with some building blocks. So, take one step at a time. Also, by understanding the overall idea first, the detailed information will make a lot more sense to you once you get to it.

Be persistent

You do know that Rome indeed was not built in a day, don't you? You need to stay committed to what you're trying to master - yes, it will take time, but it will be worth it.

Don't expect to see the results right away

This is probably the most difficult of them all, being ready to give up the need to get instant results. Things will take time, perhaps you could trick yourself into thinking that because it takes time it is adding value.

Use the way that is best for you

We don't all learn in the same way, so the advice that a friend gave you doesn't need to work for you. There are 3 basic types of learning attitude: watching (imitating), analyzing (breaking down) and doing (trying out). Pick the one that's right for you.

Even if you'll only take one tip form this, just having a quick think about how you wish and like to learn will probably benefit the way you do it. Whichever approach you take on in your learning, above all - try to enjoy it!