How many of you wish you could learn new things faster?
Whether it's picking up a new language, mastering an instrument, or excelling at work, one thing is for sure.
The ability to learn quickly can change your life.
But this is where most people go wrong. Learning isn’t just about repetition. It’s about how your brain processes and retains any information; new or old.
But before we talk about how to learn new things, we first need to understand the basic, which is:
How Your Brain Learns
Studies from Central Michigan University have discovered that our brain works like a muscle, which means it grows when challenged.
The more we practice, the stronger the neural connections become, making learning easier over time.
In psychology, we call this process Neuroplasticity, which allows the brain to rewire itself based on new experiences and repeated actions.
Now, as per neuroplasticity, when we learn something new, our brain operates in 3 wave states:
Beta waves (active thinking): When you are focused and processing new information, your brain is in a beta state.
Alpha waves (relaxed but alert): When you are calmly absorbing knowledge, like during reading or meditation.
Theta waves (deep learning and creativity): These waves activate when you are in a relaxed state, such as during deep focus work or sleep, making it an excellent time for subconscious learning.
And now that you have understood these brain states and how they can help you optimize learning; let’s explore 7 powerful techniques to learn anything 10x faster:
➡️ Break it down into small steps
No matter what you are learning, don’t try to grasp everything at once.
Break it down into small, manageable steps. When you break the cluster of information into bite-size pieces and learn it daily, you will see a huge difference in your progress graph.
For example, if you are learning to play the guitar, start with basic chords before moving on to complex progressions.
Mastering one concept at a time prevents any form of overwhelmness and helps you absorb information more effectively.
➡️ Apply the 80/20 rule for smart learning
Focus on what delivers the biggest impact for you and the best way to implement this by the 80/20 rule.
Now, as per the 80/20 rule in psychology, 20% of your efforts yield 80% of the results.
Basically, this means instead of trying to learn everything, prioritize the most essential parts that bring maximum benefit in your learning process.
Suppose, you’re learning a language, when you focus on the most commonly used phrases instead of memorizing thousands of vocabulary words, you learn that language a lot faster and effectively.
➡️ Explain it to someone else
This point by far is the best way to reinforce learning.
When you explain a concept to someone else, your brain processes the information more deeply.
You must have noticed that whenever you had to teach a subject to a friend just before exams, you retain that concept a lot better.
Not just that. This method also forces you to organize your thoughts, identify gaps in your understanding, and retain knowledge longer with better clarity.
Therefore, next time you are learning something new, try explaining it to someone else or at least pretend to explain.
➡️ Always go for handwritten notes
While it may feel faster to take notes digitally, using a pen and paper will help you learn and comprehend better. You might have noticed, during your school days when you took notes by hand, you listened more actively and were able to identify important concepts.
Taking notes on a laptop, however, leads to mindless transcription, and distraction.
So, always prefer handwritten notes over digital notes.
➡️ Get feedback and adjust accordingly
Improvement happens faster when you receive constructive feedback.
Whether from a mentor, coach, or digital tools, tracking progress allows you to make necessary adjustments and refine your skills efficiently.
For instance, athletes rely on coaches to correct their techniques, which helps them improve much faster than practicing alone.
So, reach out to people who know the subject better than you, and ask questions as much as you can.
➡️ Create the right environment for learning
Your surroundings play a crucial role in how well you learn.
By minimizing distractions, choosing a comfortable workspace, and engaging in learning during times when you feel most focused and energized, you prime your environment for learning.
And if you’re using this point for studying purposes, make sure to put your phone away and use noise-canceling headphones to stay in the zone.
To sum it up, learning is never about memorization, it’s about strategy.
Whether it's learning a new skill for work, a hobby, or personal growth, the key is to be intentional and consistent.
➡️ Train your basal ganglia
To master a skill, understanding alone isn’t enough. You must engage the basal ganglia, a brain region responsible for learning through repetition.
Coz unlike the neocortex, which absorbs information quickly, the basal ganglia learns slowly and requires repeated practice to internalize new behaviors.
For example, think of teaching a child to ride a bike. You can explain the steps in minutes, but actual proficiency comes only through trial, failure, and repetition.
So, to truly improve a skill, focus on deliberate, repeated practice that allows for mistakes, adjustments, and gradual progress. As repetition is the real key to mastery.
So, what’s the next skill you’re excited to master? Comment and let me know.
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