Stop Reading and Start Learning.
1. Reading is a great way to learn, right? Not really.
Reading can be the *first step* in learning. But it’s horribly inefficient on its own.
Worst part? Your mind constantly deludes you about your learning progress.
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1. Reading is a great way to learn, right? Not really.
Reading can be the *first step* in learning. But it’s horribly inefficient on its own.
Worst part? Your mind constantly deludes you about your learning progress.
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2. Recognize the illusion of memory
Ever tried to memorize a license plate and thought to yourself “I got this down. I’ll never forget it.”?
We almost never learn from that mistake no matter how many times we repeat it. That’s your Short-Term Memory fooling you.
Ever tried to memorize a license plate and thought to yourself “I got this down. I’ll never forget it.”?
We almost never learn from that mistake no matter how many times we repeat it. That’s your Short-Term Memory fooling you.
3. Take steps to complete the learning cycle
Alright, say you’re onboard with the idea that reading isn’t the best way to learn since you only retain a fraction of what you read.
What can you do to improve your process? 3 things:
• Make highlights
• Take notes
• Teach
Alright, say you’re onboard with the idea that reading isn’t the best way to learn since you only retain a fraction of what you read.
What can you do to improve your process? 3 things:
• Make highlights
• Take notes
• Teach
4. Make highlights while you read
This makes it easy for you to go back through an article/book chapter and look at the big picture value that you got from what you read so that you can summarize it in your notes.
This makes it easy for you to go back through an article/book chapter and look at the big picture value that you got from what you read so that you can summarize it in your notes.
5. Take notes while you read
Why did you make that highlight? Why did it click with you? How will that idea be helpful to you in the future? Take notes to answer these questions.
Why did you make that highlight? Why did it click with you? How will that idea be helpful to you in the future? Take notes to answer these questions.
6. Teach what you learned to make it stick
You can do this by telling a friend about what you learned, writing a blogpost, sharing IG stories, tweeting, making a YouTube video, podcasting, or any form of publishing.
I prefer writing text: it’s fast, searchable, and scannable.
You can do this by telling a friend about what you learned, writing a blogpost, sharing IG stories, tweeting, making a YouTube video, podcasting, or any form of publishing.
I prefer writing text: it’s fast, searchable, and scannable.
7. It’s not all-or-nothing: do it your way
“This is too much work!” you might say.
It is. But it’s worth it. Try it at least once. Or try applying just one idea.
Maybe you skip highlighting and note taking and do: reading → teaching. Start with what feels natural to you.
“This is too much work!” you might say.
It is. But it’s worth it. Try it at least once. Or try applying just one idea.
Maybe you skip highlighting and note taking and do: reading → teaching. Start with what feels natural to you.
8. Want to learn more about this stuff?
If you want to learn more about improving your learning process, I suggest googling:
• Nat Eliason, smart notes ( @nateliason)
• Shu Omi, smart notes (YouTube) ( @ShuOmi3)
• Book: How to Take Smart notes (by @soenke_ahrens)
If you want to learn more about improving your learning process, I suggest googling:
• Nat Eliason, smart notes ( @nateliason)
• Shu Omi, smart notes (YouTube) ( @ShuOmi3)
• Book: How to Take Smart notes (by @soenke_ahrens)