How to Learn Anything

From the time that we draw breath, we are absolute learning sponges—drawing in all the sights and sensations of our environment to navigate through life. 

This is self-directed learning. We are driven entirely by curiosity. It will mostly get us what we want and also lead us into things that we need to avoid, for our own safety and well-being. Hopefully, if we are born into a nurturing environment, our physical, mental and emotional safety are assured.

As this learning develops, we come up against what our social group deems obligatory knowledge—values, beliefs, customs, rules for living. 

This is mandated learning. It sets us on the road for qualifications, which lead to positions of authority and an income.

The older we get, the more mandated learning we are subject to and for many of us, this becomes the dominant source of learning. We may even come to think neglect or even lose confidence in our latent curiosity.

If the learning you are seeking is driven by curiosity, your motivation will be high and your uptake will be optimized.

If the learning you are seeking has been mandated, you are likely to be an unhappy and inefficient learner. 

The trick is to become a curious learner in your mandated learning—you must take control of your learning, actively choosing the subject. 

Given this enhanced motivation for learning, your success will come from: 

1.    Seeking to understand. What is this thing, where does it fit? If possible, make your learning activities experiential—getting in close contact with the subject, touching it, smelling it, tasting it, changing it and bringing it back to its original form.  Think of all the questions you can ask of those who know it already. Use any memorization techniques sparingly.

2.    Writing it in simple terms. Using your own language, write about what you now understand on this matter. This will mean closing whatever references you have consulted—this is not a copying exercise. If possible, add a visual dimension by using diagrams, illustrations, flow charts and mind maps. Then return to the refences and see what you have missed.

3.    Telling someone simply. Put away all your references and cues to tell an interested, intelligent observer what you have learned. Encourage the person to press you for that deep understanding that you are building and for clarification on any key or even minor points. Ask for their feedback and suggestions. Then tell someone else, this time more precisely and concisely.

4.    Repeating, repeating, repeating. If there is a skill involved, try repetition ad nauseam—to mastery and then on to unconscious mastery: you can and must become that adept. For other knowledge, repeat your inquiries, come at it from different angles and go through the writing and telling phases again and again. Until you’re bored with yourself—hopefully only temporarily.

5.    Teaching it to someone—a whole group. This is the ultimate test of your learning—you never truly know something until you have tried to teach it. The chances are, your first attempt to teach will expose your deficiencies, so successive iterations of teaching will refine your knowledge—conditional on the learning of your audience and/or an independent observer.

And beware the barriers to learning anything:

• Hijacking the key words. Then skimming across the gaps in between, trying to fool your audience and yourself. Go deeper.  
• System 1 thinking. After the first thing that comes to mind, slow down, think of other explanations and options—System 2.
• Being unable to say “I don’t know.” Accept that you are a beginner in this and know it doesn’t diminish you.
• Prior knowledge. Some say “I know too much to learn anything new.” Nonsense. Assume that you have an infinite capacity. 
• Having expert status in one field, which doesn’t make you the universal guru; have the humility to start from scratch. 

Philosopher and educationist John Dewey said:

The most important attitude that can be formed is that of desire to go on learning.

Curiosity and a method to learn are the two legs of the same beast—we cannot move forward without both. We cannot lead happy, productive, sharing lives without both.

  Next week: The Purpose of Anger

 In memory of my beloved mother Norma Scott 15 November 1926-18 March 2021.

About the Author

Jeff Bell is Principal of executive consultancy ResultsWise in Perth, Western Australia. 

To boost your leadership, ask Jeff about consulting, coaching, strategy facilitation, his Band of Leaders Australia (BoLA) group or Advanced Leadership Course: jeff@resultswise.com.au; mobile 0439 988 662

Jeff’s podcasts: https://www.audible.com.au/pd/As-a-Leader-Audiobook/