Most of the time, when people struggle with a new skill or subject, they say they’re bad at learning. Learning, however, is a skill itself. It’s a process that can be improved. The truth is, I’m not a master of every subject I write about. I’ve simply developed a process that enables me to quickly learn about a subject. The more you understand how to learn, the easier it is to learn new things. This is the reason learning has become so easy for me. When I first started, I realized the power of structure in the learning process. Information Alone Won’t Get the Job Done. Information is easy to come by.
Today, there are millions of articles and YouTube videos all over the internet, with information on almost every topic imaginable. But information alone won’t cut it. To master a new skill, you need structure. You need to know how to do what you do. What to do, when to do it, how to improve and so on. Learning is no longer about information. It’s about having the right structure to apply that information. Learning is Not a Linear Progression. Learning is not a linear process. You don’t simply master one thing, then move on to the next. Learning involves depth.
The most effective learning environments are those that balance guidance with autonomy. Learning is a Process. One of the reasons people struggle with learning is they don’t understand the process. They see people achieving mastery, but they don’t understand how they got there. They try to do the things masters do, but without the structure and process, they don’t make progress. As you’re learning something new, you need to develop your process. You need to learn how to do what you do. You need to learn what works and what doesn’t work. And you need to adjust your process as you go along. Creativity Thrives Within Structure. Most people think structure stifles creativity. But the opposite is true.
Structure is what enables you to be creative. When you have a clear structure, you’re able to be creative within that structure. When you don’t have a clear structure, you’re not creative. You’re simply haphazardly trying stuff and seeing what sticks. Learning is an Artistic Process. Learning is an art. It’s a creative process. When you’re learning, you’re not simply consuming information and regurgitating it. You’re taking in information, processing it and using it to create something new. You’re creating your mastery of a subject. And as you’re learning, you need to pay attention to how you learn best. So, it’s up to you to learn what works for you. And to continually refine that process as you go along. Good Learning Involves Reflection.
When you’re in the midst of learning, it can be hard to tell whether or not you’re making progress. In fact, you often don’t realize how far you’ve come until you look back on your journey. Reflection is a key part of the learning process. As you’re learning, you need to take time to look back on your progress. You need to look at what’s working and what isn’t working. And you need to continually refine your process. Learning is a process. It’s a craft. It’s an art. And it’s a skill. It’s something you can continually improve at. And as you master that skill, the easier it will become to learn new things. So, focus on developing your learning skills. Your future self will thank you.