If you want to learn a new skill, should you just dive in? How can you maximize your chances for success and keep from squandering resources?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you’ve chosen a new skill to learn, Josh Kaufman suggests you conduct research to learn about the skill and prepare what you need to practice it. Acquiring knowledge and information about the skill beforehand allows you to practice smarter and avoid wasting time and energy on ineffective techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read on for Kaufman’s advice on how to prepare to learn a new skill before you start practicing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Kaufman recommends that you prepare to learn a new skill by doing some research before going hands-on. Research just enough that you\u2019ll be able to recognize and fix mistakes<\/a> when practicing. Kaufman stresses that research and learning aren\u2019t the same as practicing, so don\u2019t spend too long on this step, as you\u2019ll acquire a skill more quickly by practicing it than studying it endlessly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Shortform note: In Ultralearning<\/em><\/a>, Scott Young refers to researching the skill you want to learn<\/a> as metalearning<\/em><\/a> and argues that it\u2019s crucial for self-directed learning. Without proper research and preparation, you risk following a poor learning approach. However, to avoid spending too much time researching, Young suggests you estimate how long you plan to spend learning your skill and allot 10% of that time<\/a> for research. For example, if you want to learn your skill in 20 hours, you might plan to spend about two hours researching.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kaufman provides some suggestions for researching your skill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First, gather at least three resources (articles, books, and videos) that discuss the skill and quickly scan through them<\/strong> to find out what you need to know to practice. Look for approaches, techniques, and materials that the different resources agree on. For example, multiple art sources might recommend you learn form by drawing figures like spheres, cubes, and cylinders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Shortform note: In A Mind For Numbers<\/em><\/a>, Barbara Oakley explains why skimming is advantageous for learning: It prepares your mind to organize the new information<\/a>\u2014similar to creating a mental filing cabinet. She explains that you can absorb information better<\/a> when you already have the categories in mind. This is an example of top-down learning<\/em>, where you start with the big picture and then add in the details. This contrasts with the bottom-up approach<\/a><\/em>, where you start with the details and then build up to the bigger picture.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you research your skill, you\u2019ll likely encounter terms or concepts that are unfamiliar to you. Kaufman assures that confusion is not only normal at this point but encouraged. The more confused you are, the more motivated you\u2019ll be to learn and the faster you\u2019ll progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Shortform note: Some research suggests that confusion actually enhances <\/em>your learning<\/a> by making you think more deeply and remember more information in the long run. However, experts point out that confusion is only beneficial if you have the resources or guidance to resolve it. If you don\u2019t, you may feel stuck<\/a> and give up on your skill. This underscores the value of Kaufman\u2019s suggestion to gather and skim resources before you start practicing, so you have everything you need to cope with confusion and learn more effectively<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n To make the most of the information you find during your research, Kaufman recommends you look for mental models<\/a>.<\/strong> These are concepts you learn that help you understand how something works. For instance, in creative storytelling, the Hero\u2019s Journey<\/a> (which describes a common 12-stage story structure<\/a>) is a mental model for understanding how to structure a plot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Shortform note: You can use mental models not only for understanding specific skills and disciplines, but also for general thinking and decision-making<\/a> in all areas of your life. Just as each skill has its own concepts, Shane Parrish and Rhiannon Beaubien write that the world functions according to a set of concepts and rules that can be simplified with mental models. In The Great Mental Models Volume 1<\/em><\/a>, they present nine mental models to improve your thinking and decision-making<\/a>. Learning different kinds of mental models (both skill-specific and broadly applicable) can help you enhance both your skill learning ability and understanding of the world.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n To remember the mental models you come across, use metaphors or analogies to connect them with things you already know and understand. For example, you can think of books or films that follow the Hero\u2019s Journey<\/a> structure. Drawing on these connections helps you to apply new knowledge more easily when you\u2019re putting the skill to practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Shortform note: In Learning How to Learn<\/em><\/a>, Barbara Oakley and Terrence Sejnowski suggest ways for making your metaphors more memorable<\/a>. One way is to create mental pictures that allow you to visualize the metaphor. Pictures are easier to commit to memory than abstract concepts. Another way is to create acronyms or mnemonics\u2014for example, if you\u2019re trying to remember the notes of the treble clef (E-G-B-D-F), you might create a memorable mnemonic like \u201cEnergetic grasshoppers buy donuts frequently.\u201d)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another way Kaufman suggests you research your skill is to ask experts for advice.<\/strong> Experts can clear up misconceptions you have about learning the skill and help you set realistic expectations<\/a> for yourself. They may also have tips that can help you avoid wasting time, money, and energy on unnecessary supplies or ineffective techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Shortform note: If you can\u2019t connect with any experts in your skill, psychologist Anders Ericsson says in Peak<\/em><\/a> that you can still gain helpful insights by investigating the methods they used to achieve their level of performance. For example, if you want to learn digital art, research the training methods of professional digital artists and imitate their process. Ericsson recommends that when you do so, you focus on what they\u2019re doing differently<\/em><\/a> from others and try to replicate that.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to learning about your skill, you\u2019ll also need to gather the right tools and equipment to practice the skill.<\/strong> Based on your research, identify everything you\u2019ll need and make sure you can acquire it\u2014whether it\u2019s a piece of equipment, software, or facility. This way, you won\u2019t disrupt your practice by suddenly discovering that you\u2019re missing a vital component.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Shortform note: While the equipment that\u2019s required for some skills can be expensive, don\u2019t be discouraged if you\u2019re on a tight budget. If you can\u2019t buy all the necessary materials, get creative and find alternative ways to get what you need. For example, you could borrow equipment from a friend, or you could organize a community swap<\/a> where you exchange items with others. Another option is to use the Internet\u2014there are many websites that help you learn skills for free.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next step is to separate the skill into subskills and focus on learning<\/a> the most essential ones.<\/strong> Kaufman explains that most skills are composed of a set of smaller skills. These subskills should include everything you need to attain your proficiency goal (and you\u2019ll likely have found some important ones during your research). For example, if you want to learn to skateboard for commuting purposes, you\u2019ll need to learn several subskills, such as how to balance, push, and turn your board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Shortform note: In The Art of Learning<\/em><\/a>, Josh Waitzkin echoes Kaufman\u2019s advice to break down your skill and suggests you patiently learn the fundamentals<\/a>. He argues that the fundamentals are the most important elements of a skill, so you should learn them first. Once you\u2019ve defined the basic elements, practice each in isolation until they become intuitive. This has two benefits: First, when you have a solid grasp of the basics, you\u2019ll be able to combine and use them in new ways and in different situations. Second, by diligently working at the basics, you learn to appreciate the process of learning and growing over the outcome.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n To make sure you\u2019ve identified all crucial subskills, Kaufman suggests you think of the worst-case scenario that can occur when you\u2019re practicing the skill. Think about what\u2019s risky or what outcomes you want to avoid. For example, when you\u2019re skateboarding, there\u2019s a danger you\u2019ll fall or crash into obstacles. This clues us in to some other vital subskills: How to brake with your foot and how to fall properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Shortform note: People often avoid thinking about the possibility of negative outcomes. That\u2019s why analyzing the worst-case scenario (a mental model called inversion<\/em><\/a>) is a powerful thinking tool: It helps you see things from a different angle. Similarly, some thinkers recommend another counterintuitive way to shift your perspective\u2014by contemplating your mortality. In The Laws of Human Nature<\/em><\/a>, Robert Greene writes that this helps you gain a fresh perspective on your life<\/a>, clarify what matters most to you, and get motivated to take action. Overall, these two thought exercises share an underlying purpose: To help you consider different viewpoints to make better decisions<\/a>, anticipate challenges, and achieve your goals<\/a>.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you want to learn a new skill, should you just dive in? How can you maximize your chances for success and keep from squandering resources? Once you’ve chosen a new skill to learn, Josh Kaufman suggests you conduct research to learn about the skill and prepare what you need to practice it. Acquiring knowledge and information about the skill beforehand allows you to practice smarter and avoid wasting time and energy on ineffective techniques. Read on for Kaufman’s advice on how to prepare to learn a new skill before you start practicing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":89813,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,43],"tags":[1317],"class_list":["post-117108","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","category-self-improvement","tag-the-first-20-hours","","tg-column-two"],"yoast_head":"\nTip #1: Find Reference Materials<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tip #2: Look for Mental Models<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tip #3: Consult Experts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tip #4: Gather Necessary Materials <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tip #5: Identify Essential Subskills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n