11 principles to boost your learning practices
Tags: productivity, learning, career, beginners
Published: 2021-07-03 10:50:42

This one is for each one of you(including me) who is trying hard to grow and learn. Below are a few guiding principles to help you define an effortless learning process. It works even better if you go through the preceding articles in this series or at least [this science-y stuff](https://dev.to/abh1navv/6-science-based-advices-for-better-work-and-learning-39pl)

1. **Long term vs Short term memory**
    - long term - created by repeated learning - like faces of your friends, flag of your country, driving skills, etc.
    - put fundamental concepts and principles in long term memory by practicing them at regular intervals
    - short term - things you memorize for a short term purpose - like a small list of tasks you have to do today .
    - goal - move important concepts from short term memory to long term using spaced repetition - repeat a concept after a few days or once a day
    - to memorize something you just learned, associate it with a long term memory.
    - [Here's the science](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2657600/)
8. **Active vs passive learning**
    - watching other people demonstrate things or reading a book - passive (easy and inefficient)
    - taking notes, practicing, problem solving, tests - active (difficult but stronger)
    - Some [passive resources](https://makeitstick.net/) to explore further
9. **Motivation**
    - Extrinsic - money, fame, new job - getting recognized for your efforts
    - Intrinsic - autonomy(control), mastery, purpose - having an internal drive to do something
    - Long term learning motivation is always intrinsic. 
10. **Goals**
    - Kaizen - continuous, small, incremental improvement
    - small steps compound over a long term
    - Set SMART goals
        - S - Specific
            - Get Healthy < Lose weight < Lose 10 Pounds
        - M - Measurable
            - Reliable way of measuring progress
        - A - Actionable
            - Clarity of actions required to achieve it
            - If actions are not clear, break down the main goal into actionable sub-goals
        - R - Relevant
            - Should add value when achieved
            - Prioritize Low Effort and High Value goals
            - Use 80/20 Pareto principle
        - T - Time-bound
            - Lose 10 pounds in 10 weeks
            - Define milestones and assign a date to it
    - Goal setting is an ongoing process of action, evaluation and revision. 
    - A [small video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-SvuFIQjK8&ab_channel=DecisionSkills) to summarize this.
11. **Pays not to be busy all the time**
    - Be surrounded by people you like to relax your brain.
    - Healthy/leisurely time is key to better functioning of the brain.
    - Learn with ease and do not rush through it
    - [Read more](https://www.calnewport.com/blog/2011/11/11/if-youre-busy-youre-doing-something-wrong-the-surprisingly-relaxed-lives-of-elite-achievers/)
12. **Chunking**
    - learn in chunks - fundamental pieces of knowledge
    - combine chunks to fill the missing pieces and complete your learning
    - bottom up approach of learning
13. **Solving problems**
    - Sequential problems - focus mode
    - Intuition or creative solutions - diffuse mode
14. **Deliberate practice**
    - you can have temporary frustration when you think you are not growing in a area
    - Deliberate practice needs:
        1. Specific goals - define the edge of your limits - where do you want to get to
        2. Intense focus - work towards it in focused sessions
        3. Immediate feedback - once you reach your goal get feedback from mentors or peers about where you are and what could be better
        4. Feel frequent discomfort - when you are not where you need to be
    - Start with a discomfort zone and try to bridge the gap. Once you reach a comfort zone, get feedbacks for improvement and define the next step.
    - The better you get at something, the more enjoyable it becomes.
    - Feedback and discomfort will keep you motivated to get even better.
    - Turns your potential into your reality
    - [Some help from Japan](https://www.tofugu.com/japan/kendo/)
15. **Spaced repetition and habits**
    - learn in small sessions
    - repeat periodically to make your concepts stronger
    - forming habits allows you to learn effortlessly
    - *saves you a lot of mental energy* required to 
        - decide what to do when
        - focus on how to do it. E.g. How much focus do you need to brush your teeth?
    - Form habits which help you learn so that you do not have to answer the same questions everyday 
        - Where to sit while I learn?
        - What time should I start?
        - How much time should I give it?
        - Where should I take notes?
16. **Be Adventurous**
    - Try new and exciting things regularly to keep your mind active
    - Do not get into a monotonous mode. It kills your creativity
17. **Have an endpoint to your work and occasionally get bored**
    - When you're doing something with focus, have an idea of when you are going to stop and take a break.
    - Also applies to when to stop working each day.
    - Learn to get bored instead of looking at your phone - gives your brain a pause - gives you self reflection time

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Happy Learning!!
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