# The 3 Books Technique for Learning a New Skilll

When I'm learning a new skill, there's a technique I often use to quickly gain the basics of the new skill without getting drowned in the plethora of resources that exist. I've found that just 3 resources that cover the skill from 3 separate viewpoints(along with either daily practice or a project) is enough to quickly get all the pieces I need to learn the new skill.

I'm partial to books, so I've called this The 3 Books Technique, but feel free to substitute books for courses, mentors, or videos as needed.  
![Path 2: Make Learning Visible - Surface, Deep, Transfer | Department of  Education](https://www.maine.gov/doe/sites/maine.gov.doe/files/inline-images/visible%20criteria.png)

The "What" Book
===============

The "What" book is used as reference material. It should be a thorough resource that gives you a broad overview of your skill. If you run into a novel situation, you should be able to go to this book and get the information you need. It covers the "surface" section of the learning model from nature pictured above.

Positive reviews of this book should contain phrases like "Thorough" and "Got me out of a pinch more than once." Negative reviews of this book should talk about "overwhelming" and "didn't know where to start."

The "How" Book
==============

The "How" Book explains the step-by-step, nuts and bolts of how to put the skill into practice. It often contains processes, tools, and steps. It covers the "deep" part of the learning model covered above.

Positive reviews of this book should talk about "Well structured" and "Clearly thought out." Negative reviews should mention it being "too rote" or "not enough theory."

The "Why" Book
==============

The "WHY" book explains the mindset and intuitions behind the skill. It tries to get into the authors head and lets you understand what to do in novel situations. It should cover the "transfer" part of the learning model above.

Positive reviews of this book should talk about "gaining intuitions" or "really understanding". Negative reviews should contain phrases like "not practical" or "still don't know what steps to take."

The Project or Practice
=======================

Once I have these 3 resources, I'll choose a single project or a daily practice that allows me to practice the skills from the "How" book and the mindsets from the "Why" book. If I get stuck, I'll use the "What" book to help me.

Examples
========

Overcoming Procrastination
--------------------------

**"What" Book:** The Procrastination Equation by Piers Steel

**"How" Book:** The Now Habit by Neil Fiore

**"Why" Book**: The Replacing Guilt blog sequence by Nate Soares

**Project or Practice:** Five pomodoros every day where I deliberately use the tools from the now habit and the mindsets from replacing guilt. If I find myself stuck, I'll choose from the plethora of techniques in the Procrastination Equation.

Learning Calculus
-----------------

**"What" Book**: A First Course in Calculus by Serge Lange

**"How" Book:** The Khan Academy series on Calculus

**"Why" Book**: The Essence of Calculus Youtube series by 3blue1brown

**Project or Practice:** Daily practice of the Khan Academy calculus exercises.

Conclusion
==========

This is a simple technique that I've found very helpful in systematizing my learning process. I would be particularly interested in other skills you've learned and the 3 books you would recommend for those skills.