20 Hours To Beat Covid-19 & Learn A New Skill

Covid-19 is causing all sorts of problems to each one of us YET it is also giving us the time and opportunity to be at home and to learn something new. Do not miss this unique opportunity.

Do you want to learn how to play an instrument, how to draw, how to cook, how to create a website, how to write a book, do you want to learn a new language? Now is the time. It is EASIER than you think. Just do the first key steps.

I am staying home and when I am not working I am learning the piano. I had this dream of playing the piano since I was a kid.

So far, in just a week, I practiced for around 20 hours using the YouTube video below and I learned most of my favorite piano song "I Like Chopin" by Gazebo from 1983.

It is the first 20 hours of focused practice that really makes the difference.

Yes you'd tell me ... "haven't you heard about the 10,000 hours rule". I did but that is to become an EXPERT in a very competitive field not to learn a new skill. It just takes a first few steps and some dedication in the first 20 hours to learn something new.

Here are the FIVE steps I am following

1. Decide on ONE skill you want to learn

You need focus, so do not try to learn many new things at once. Choose your biggest dream - the one you always wanted to learn. We all have that ONE.

Then start "fiddling", do not wait for the perfect moment.

2. Create an environment in which you can learn without distractions

The environment in which you will learn is key. It does not have to be perfect but it has to be there. You need to buy the instrument if you do not have it already. And you need to decide where you will practice with the least possible distractions. I got the keyboard from the garage and set it up in my home office. And boom, I started practicing between a Zoom call and another.

3. Practice, Practice, Practice : Create a HABIT of continuous short slots.

Create a habit of practicing. A small commitment every day. A short time a day, every day, is better than a long time on a particular day. This is like going to the gym. Exercising for 30 minutes a day is better than exercising for 3 hours on a Sunday.

If required, set a time in your calendar for it, and make sure you stick to it.

DO NOT look for perfection, but about starting and keeping the short slots every single day. Do not worry about the mistake you are doing. Just keep going and make SURE you do not lose interest. Continuity is key. No Excuses.

4. Tell others about it

Tell your friends and family that you are learning a new skill. It helps you and it will make you more accountable. They will ask you about your progress and you will be happy to tell them of your latest results. If you're comfortable posting about it, do so. Now you know why all your runner friends keep posting their Personal Best. It makes them more accountable.

5. Refine the basics, hire a teacher or coach

Once you have the "initial competency", once have learned the basics on your own in the initial 20 hours and you know you are eager to learn more it is good practice to seek the guidance of a professional teacher or coach. They can help you go over some pitfalls that would be difficult to erase just through self-learning.

In this Covid-19 crisis, just stay home with your family. Have cooking challenges, game nights and movie night together. You are not only doing it for yourself and for your family - but for all society, for humanity.

In the time of crisis stop watching the repetitive news about the virus. And START practicing one hour a day for three weeks. Hit two birds with one stone - beat Covid-19 while learning that skill that you always wanted to learn.

By doing so you will come out of the Covid-19 curve a better person than when this crisis started.

You might not have this opportunity again. So go ahead - JUST DO IT - learn something new - in just 20 hours! And feel free to write back to me on how it went. Did the 20 hours rule work for you?

This article is inspired by Josh Kaufman's TEDx video (video below) and by my friend Adel who suggested the video. If you're into reading, Josh Kaufman also wrote about book about the subject callled The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything…Fast.

#flattenthecurve #stayathome #learn #coronavirus #covid19 #malta #home