GET BETTER AT ANYTHING by Scott Young | Core Message

Summary

Scott Young's 'Get Better at Anything' outlines a three-step learning cycle: observe, practice, and receive feedback. The video emphasizes the importance of actively copying experts, asking process-oriented questions, and practicing within a 'difficulty sweet spot' to build self-efficacy. It also highlights the value of seeking micro feedback from models and peers to refine skills effectively. Young's book offers 12 maxims for learners, promising rapid progress through example learning, extensive practice, and reliable feedback.

Takeaways

• 🚴 Learning a new skill involves a three-part cycle: see it, do it, get good at it, and feedback.
• 👶 As children, we learn by observing, attempting, failing, and receiving guidance, which can be applied to adult learning.
• 📚 To enhance learning, actively copy and mimic the skills of experts, such as writing by hand or replicating speeches, to notice differences and improve.
• 🤔 Ask experts to solve problems while explaining their thought process to understand their decision-making and learn the 'if-then' rules.
• 🏌️‍♂️ Engage in completion exercises to test your knowledge, starting with simpler tasks and gradually increasing difficulty to stay in the 'difficulty sweet spot'.
• 📈 Use flashcards and spaced repetition for cognitive skills, and practice trigger movements for physical skills to build expertise.
• 📉 Focus on feedback that is process-oriented rather than outcome-oriented to avoid being misled by temporary success.
• 📝 Keep a learning journal to document your thought process and seek feedback from experienced individuals or online communities.
• 🎥 Record yourself performing a skill and have experts evaluate your technique to gain deeper insights into your fundamentals.
• 🤖 Utilize large computer models for immediate, micro feedback on your skill sequence, such as chess engines or poker GTO models.
• 📈 Scott Young emphasizes the importance of learning from examples, extensive practice, and reliable feedback for rapid progress in any skill.

Q & A

What is the three-part learning cycle mentioned in the script?

The three-part learning cycle consists of 'see it', 'do it', and 'get good', which involves observing, practicing, and receiving feedback to improve a skill.

How does the script suggest we enhance the 'see it' phase of learning?

The 'see it' phase can be enhanced by not just passively watching but actively copying and extracting from the skills of others, such as copying passages from favorite writers to improve writing.

What is the purpose of asking experts to solve a problem while thinking aloud?

Asking experts to solve a problem while thinking aloud helps to extract their thought process and understand the fundamental rules that guide their decisions and actions.

How can mimicking a great keynote speech help improve public speaking skills?

Mimicking a great keynote speech allows learners to practice pauses, vocal variety, and delivery, helping them understand the components of an effective speech.

Why is it important to remain in the 'difficulty sweet spot' when testing what you've learned?

Staying in the 'difficulty sweet spot' ensures that the learner is challenged enough to form new connections for improvement without becoming overwhelmed, thus maintaining self-efficacy and interest.

What are completion exercises and how do they help in the learning process?

Completion exercises are tasks where learners start with a part of the information and try to complete the rest. They act as scaffolds, helping to build expertise and self-efficacy through frequent small wins.

How can flashcards be used to test knowledge of key concepts?

Flashcards with keywords missing can be used for spaced repetition, where learners read the cards and try to fill in the blanks, reinforcing memory and understanding of the concepts.

What is the significance of seeking feedback on the process rather than just the outcome?

Feedback on the process provides insights into the learner's approach and helps identify areas for improvement, whereas outcome-based feedback can sometimes be misleading and not indicative of true skill level.

How can large models provide micro feedback for skill improvement?

Large models, such as chess engines or poker GTO models, offer immediate feedback on each step of a skill sequence, allowing learners to evaluate their decisions and understand their performance relative to optimal strategies.

What is the core message of 'Get Better at Anything' by Scott Young?

The core message is that by copying the examples of others, practicing extensively, and getting reliable feedback, one can make rapid progress in learning any skill.

What does the script suggest for those who want a summary of insights from the book?

The script offers a one-page PDF summary of insights from the book for those interested, which can be obtained by clicking on the provided link and subscribing to the email newsletter.