Accelerated Learning With Tom Gellie

Summary

In this insightful presentation, Tom Gelly shares his experiences and research on accelerated learning, specifically in the context of skiing. He emphasizes the importance of embracing struggle as a part of the learning process and suggests spending 70% of practice time in the challenge zone, just outside one's comfort zone. Gelly also highlights the value of focusing on small, incremental improvements and the use of video feedback for self-assessment. His approach aims to help skiers and others not only improve their skills but also develop habits that lead to continuous progress and mastery.

Takeaways

• 📝 Embrace the struggle - Recognize that feeling challenged is a sign you're in the right place for improvement.
• 🕒 Optimize practice time - Allocate 70% of your practice to skills just outside your current ability, the 'challenge zone'.
• 🔄 Focus on small improvements - Aim for 1% gains that add up over time, leading to significant progress.
• 🎥 Use video feedback - Regularly record yourself to track progress and ensure you're honing in on the right areas.
• 🤸‍♂️ Emphasize drills - Drills are essential for exaggerating aspects of a skill, making them more noticeable and improvable.
• 🧠 Understand the brain's role - Struggling primes the brain with chemicals that aid in problem-solving and learning.
• 🚀 Set realistic expectations - Aiming for a 4% increase in difficulty can be an effective sweet spot for challenge without overwhelm.
• 🎢 Find flow state - Engage in activities that require focus and challenge to enter a state of flow, enhancing learning and performance.
• 🤔 Reflect on progress - Take time to reflect on the small victories and improvements made during practice.
• 📈 Focus on intrinsic feedback - Encourage self-assessment and internal motivation rather than relying solely on external validation.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Tom Gelly's presentation?

The main focus of Tom Gelly's presentation is on accelerated learning and improving skiing skills based on his personal experiences and research.

What type of instructor is Tom Gelly?

Tom Gelly is a level 4 instructor and owns a company called Big Picture Skiing, which teaches people how to ski and improve their skills online.

Why is it important to struggle when trying to improve at something?

Struggling is important because it indicates that you are challenging yourself and pushing beyond your current abilities. This primes the brain with chemicals that help with problem-solving and leads to growth and improvement.

What is the ideal time split for practice according to the script?

The ideal time split for practice is to spend 10% on warming up, 70% on challenging skills just outside of your current ability, and 20% in your comfort zone.

How can drills help with skill improvement?

Drills are helpful because they exaggerate certain aspects of a skill, allowing for a more focused and intense practice that challenges normal physical ranges of movement and timing.

What is the significance of the 4% challenge zone in skill acquisition?

The 4% challenge zone is significant because it represents a small enough increase in difficulty to stimulate curiosity and novelty without being too overwhelming, making it an effective target for accelerated learning.

Why is focusing on one specific skill for a season beneficial?

Focusing on one specific skill for a season helps to develop a habit of improvement, making it easier to consistently work on that skill and track progress over time.

How can taking a break to do something within your comfort zone help with learning?

Doing something within your comfort zone after struggling with a challenging task allows the brain to release chemicals that aid learning and block critical thinking, making it easier to return to the challenge and perform better.

What is the role of video recording in the learning process?

Video recording is a valuable tool for self-assessment and tracking progress. It allows individuals to see what they are actually doing compared to what they think they are doing, and to focus on small improvements over time.

How can expectations influence the learning process?

Expectations can greatly influence the learning process by setting the mindset for small, incremental improvements. By aiming for 1% gains, individuals can feel a sense of progress without being overwhelmed by the overall goal.