A Faster Method for studying

Summary

The speaker shares insights from the book 'Limitless' about maximizing learning potential through the FASTER method. They highlight the importance of forgetting preconceived notions, asking deep questions, maintaining a healthy state of mind, teaching what you’ve learned, and creating a productive environment. The speaker emphasizes building a personalized routine for optimal learning and productivity, drawing comparisons to a car that needs the right fuel to perform well. The message encourages experimenting with routines to find what works best and staying disciplined to foster deep work and focus.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The author from *Limitless* values learning as the ultimate superpower and focuses on a technique called 'Faster' for deeper understanding.
• 🔄 The 'Forget' step emphasizes forgetting prior knowledge to approach new subjects with humility and curiosity, asking fundamental questions.
• 😌 Maintaining a good state of mind is crucial for deep focus. The author recommends techniques like deep breathing, regular physical activity, and mindful time blocking.
• 🎓 Teaching the material to oneself or others reinforces learning. The speaker uses mind maps and flashcards to simplify and connect concepts.
• 🏞️ Creating an optimal environment for studying is key. For the author, environments free of distractions, such as a library, help maintain focus.
• 🔧 Routine is essential for consistent deep work. The speaker mentions the importance of structuring the day, particularly with exercise and regular study times.
• 💡 Personalization is important: everyone's routine and study method should be tailored to their own preferences, like exercising at different times of the day.
• 🎯 The speaker uses specific tools like the app 'Freeform' for creating mind maps and structuring knowledge effectively.
• 🚗 The metaphor of treating oneself like a car helps in understanding the importance of refueling (rest, exercise) to maintain productivity.
• 🕓 A balance of structure and spontaneity is crucial. While the week follows a routine, weekends are left unplanned to encourage creativity and relaxation.

Q & A

What is the key concept from the book 'Limitless' that stood out to the speaker?

The key concept that stood out is the idea of choosing the superpower of being able to learn anything deeply and quickly. The speaker emphasizes that this is something everyone can achieve through methods like the FAST (with an added 'ER') approach.

What does the 'F' in the speaker's FASTER learning method stand for?

The 'F' stands for 'Forget.' The speaker explains that forgetting what you already know about a subject is essential to approach it with an open mind and ask fundamental questions.

Why is asking questions important in the learning process?

Asking questions is important because it leads to deeper understanding. By being humble and admitting you don't know everything, you can engage in meaningful inquiry, which helps you grasp concepts at a more profound level.

How does the speaker prepare their mind and body for studying?

The speaker prepares by engaging in deep breathing exercises, physical activity, and mindful time blocking. These practices help maintain a good state of mind and focus before engaging in deep work.

What role does teaching play in the speaker’s learning method?

Teaching plays a crucial role, as the speaker uses techniques like mind maps and flashcards to simulate teaching themselves the material. This helps reinforce understanding and identify connections between different concepts.

How does the speaker use environment to enhance focus during study sessions?

The speaker believes in creating an intentional environment free of distractions, such as studying in the library with noise-cancelling headphones. This helps create a focused, mindful study routine, allowing deeper engagement with the material.

How did the speaker adapt their study environment during the COVID lockdown?

During the COVID lockdown, the speaker created a focused study environment at home by setting a specific time (6:00 to 9:00 PM) and organizing their study area with a lamp and a time-block planner, which helped them get into the right mindset.

Why is routine so important to the speaker’s learning process?

Routine is important because it helps create consistency and structure, allowing the speaker to work at optimal capacity. It helps eliminate distractions and maintain a clear sense of direction throughout the week.

How does the speaker adjust their routine to match their personal preferences?

The speaker tailors their routine to their personal preferences, such as running in the morning to kickstart their day or finding the best time of day for deep work. They emphasize that everyone has different needs and should experiment to find what works best for them.

What advice does the speaker offer about finding the right study routine?

The speaker advises experimenting with different routines and not blindly following others’ advice. They recommend trying various schedules, such as early morning or late-night study sessions, and finding what fits your unique needs and energy levels.