How to easily learn difficult things: The skill that changed my life immediately

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their unique learning journey, shaped by diverse educational experiences in China, the U.S., and the military. They emphasize the importance of self-learning, exploring how motivation, finding the right resources, and creating a personalized learning plan can lead to success. The speaker highlights practical steps, such as defining goals, evaluating resources, and being flexible in adapting plans. They also provide tips on how to study effectively and efficiently, showcasing platforms like Skillshare for creative learning. Ultimately, the video offers valuable insights for anyone eager to enhance their learning skills.

Takeaways

• 😀 The most valuable skill learned is self-teaching and self-learning, which helped navigate through tough environments and challenges.
• 😀 Getting excited and curious about the subject is crucial for motivation and faster learning. Passion leads to better focus and faster consumption of information.
• 😀 It’s important to consume content related to the subject to spark excitement. For example, watching videos about a topic before diving in.
• 😀 Finding the best resources is key to efficient learning. There are often well-prepared resources from experts that can save significant time.
• 😀 Creating personalized study aids can be time-consuming, and sometimes pre-made resources are better. Use professional materials when available.
• 😀 When learning something new, it's important to define your goals and scope to ensure the resources you select align with your needs.
• 😀 Once you have gathered resources, evaluating them by checking reviews, tutorials, and comparisons helps ensure they are the best fit for your learning style.
• 😀 Platforms like Skillshare provide valuable resources for creative skills, offering guidance from industry experts to improve productivity and learning.
• 😀 Creating a structured learning plan, including a syllabus and manageable study chunks, helps stay organized and motivated.
• 😀 Execution and iteration are key to effective learning. Be flexible with your plan and adjust based on what works best for you.
• 😀 There is no perfect plan. Learning requires experimentation and adapting to challenges, which may involve adjusting time spent and study methods.

Q & A

What is the most important skill the speaker believes to be essential for learning?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of the ability to self-teach and self-learn any subject, which has helped them overcome challenges in both education and personal projects.

How does the speaker suggest cultivating motivation for learning?

The speaker recommends finding excitement and curiosity about the subject to enhance motivation. Consuming related content and imagining how your life would improve after learning the topic can fuel this excitement.

What is the role of resources in the learning process?

The speaker stresses that finding the best resources is critical for efficient learning. Using high-quality materials can save significant time and effort, allowing learners to build on existing knowledge rather than reinventing the wheel.

Can you share an example where the speaker wasted time finding resources?

In high school, the speaker spent over 30 hours creating a comprehensive history timeline table, only to discover that their friend’s school already had a better version of the resource. This experience taught them the value of using existing, professional resources.

What approach does the speaker recommend for finding useful learning materials?

The speaker suggests starting with a broad search for resources online, including blogs, videos, forums, and discussions. Once a basic understanding is formed, the learner should evaluate and refine their choices based on goals and reviews.

What is the importance of defining the scope of your learning goal?

Defining a clear goal helps shape the direction of your learning. For example, if you're learning a language, you should determine whether your goal is conversational fluency or preparing for a specific exam, as different methods may be required.

How does the speaker recommend organizing learning materials once gathered?

After gathering resources, the speaker advises creating a plan by breaking down the material into manageable chunks. This could involve following an outline, such as a syllabus, and creating a study schedule with clear steps for each learning session.

What role does flexibility play in executing a learning plan?

Flexibility is crucial when executing a learning plan. The speaker emphasizes that no plan will be perfect from the start, and learners should be willing to adjust their approach based on what works and what doesn’t.

What advice does the speaker give for learners facing challenges with their plans?

The speaker encourages learners not to give up if things get tough. Instead, they should adjust their plans and be willing to experiment with different approaches to find what works best for them.

How does the speaker describe the learning experience with Skillshare?

The speaker highlights their positive experience with Skillshare, specifically mentioning a class called 'Writing for Self-Discovery,' which helped them explore different journaling techniques. They also recommend various other classes for skills like productivity, studying, and YouTube growth.