How I self-study technical things (Tech, Cloud, AI)

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares strategies for effectively self-studying technical topics amidst the rapidly evolving tech landscape. Key strategies include starting broad to grasp the big picture, learning just enough to advance one's career, getting hands-on experience, gamifying the learning process, and taking concise notes. A bonus mindset hack encourages viewing self-study as a privilege, fostering motivation and appreciation for the learning journey.

Takeaways

• 📈 Start Broad, Not Deep: Begin learning by understanding the big picture and mapping out a learning roadmap to identify what to study and how long the journey will take.
• 🚀 Learn Just Enough: Focus on learning what is relevant to your interests and career goals, rather than trying to master every aspect of a topic to avoid diminishing returns.
• 🔧 Get Hands-On: Practical experience with technology, such as building projects, provides deeper insight and confidence in your understanding of the subject.
• 🌐 Utilize Platforms Like Zero to Mastery: These platforms offer up-to-date courses that focus on real-world applications and a community of learners for support.
• 🎮 Gamify Your Learning: Set personal milestones and weekly goals to make the learning process fun and interactive, which can reduce stress and increase motivation.
• 📝 Take Effective Notes: Create one-page summaries or cheat sheets to document key points for easier reference and to aid in understanding and remembering the material.
• 🏆 Set Personal Milestones: Treat learning objectives like levels in a game, marking off progress to maintain engagement and a sense of achievement.
• 🤝 Engage in Learning Competitions: If studying with peers, create shared charts or leaderboards to track study hours and add a competitive element to the learning process.
• 🧠 Embrace the Mindset Hack: Shift from 'I have to' to 'I get to' when studying to appreciate the opportunity for self-improvement and to enjoy the learning journey.
• 🎯 Focus on the Journey, Not Just the Goal: While setting goals is important, it's also crucial to enjoy the process of learning and not just the end result.
• 👋 Remember to Give and Receive Feedback: Engaging with the community, such as by liking the video or commenting on strategies, fosters a supportive learning environment.

Q & A

What is the main challenge discussed in the video script?

The main challenge discussed is keeping up to date with the rapidly evolving tech space, including new AI tools, cloud services, and emerging tech trends.

How long has the speaker been working at AWS, and what impact has it had on their learning strategy?

The speaker has been working at AWS for two and a half years, and this experience has put pressure on them to constantly improve their technical skills, leading to the development of effective learning strategies.

What is the first strategy the speaker suggests for self-studying technical topics?

The first strategy is to 'start broad, not deep,' which means gaining a broad understanding of the entire ecosystem or topic before diving into specifics.

Why is it important to map out the topics needed for a certification according to the speaker?

Mapping out the topics helps in setting up a learning roadmap, understanding what to study, what to skip, and estimating the time required for the learning journey.

What does the speaker mean by 'learn just enough' and why is this approach beneficial?

The speaker suggests focusing on learning what is of interest and what will advance one's career, rather than trying to master every aspect of a topic. This approach helps in working smarter, not harder, and avoids diminishing returns on study time.

How does the speaker use the concept of gamification in their learning process?

The speaker gamifies learning by setting personal milestones and weekly goals, treating each topic or service as a level in a game, and creating a fun and interactive learning experience.

What platform does the speaker recommend for gaining practical experience with technologies like cloud and AI?

The speaker recommends 'Zero to Mastery,' a learning platform that offers up-to-date courses and workshops on in-demand skills, focusing on building real-world projects.

What is the speaker's approach to note-taking while learning new technical topics?

The speaker prefers creating one-page summaries or cheat sheets, documenting only the key points for easier reference and faster note-taking.

What mindset hack does the speaker suggest to stay motivated during self-study?

The speaker suggests changing the mindset from 'I have to do this' to 'I get to do this,' appreciating the opportunity to learn and focusing on the journey rather than just the end goal.

How does the speaker's experience with AWS certifications inform their strategy for learning just enough?

The speaker obtained five AWS certifications but stopped there, realizing that additional certifications would add less value and take time away from other valuable activities like building projects or creating content.

What is the importance of hands-on experience according to the speaker, and how can it be achieved?

Hands-on experience is crucial as it provides practical insight into how technologies work. It can be achieved by actually working with the technology, building projects, and taking advantage of free tiers offered by cloud providers.