Mastering the Art of Learning
Our emotions have a significant effect on the way we learn. We tend to fear what we do not understand. At first glance, unfamiliar concepts, even simple ones, appear abstract and foreign. Minute details flood your mind, everything blurs together, and you have no idea what to focus on. Rest assured, there are ways to stop this cycle from continuing. Let’s explore how you can start building knowledge from scratch without feeling intimated or overwhelmed.
First things first, recognize there is an art to learning.
Like all arts, it takes time to master. Anyone can swirl around random paint colors, but unless you are an experienced artist, it’s difficult to create something worth framing. It’s okay (and completely normal) to feel discomfort when learning something new. The challenge is getting past these initial feelings and ignoring the nagging thought in the back of your mind telling you “there are just some things I can’t learn”. You can learn anything, but it is crucial you have a mindful approach.
Creating an action plan will make you a more effective learner.
In order to do this, you must be aware of how you best process information. Everyone is different. Some people prefer reading, listening, or watching a visual, while others would rather write something down or put new knowledge into practice. Once you identify what style speaks to you, you’ll be able to create a guide that you can use when learning just about anything.
As an example, here is a method that works for me:
1. Ground yourself
Calm your mind. Remind yourself that jumping into the unknown is scary, but that’s okay. Taking the first step is the hardest part. Find enjoyment in crossing off smaller accomplishments and start to romanticize the journey, not just the destination.
2. Display confidence
Say goodbye to imposter syndrome. Do not avoid learning something new because you feel unqualified. Without trying new things and taking risks, you’ll never know what you’re good at.
3. Have a positive attitude
How you react when faced with new problems often dictates how successful you will be. When you’re outside of your comfort zone, it’s important to feel excited instead of annoyed or frightened. This may require some mental trickery at first, but over time it will come naturally.
4. Put on your detective hat
Think of every new challenge as a puzzle. Become obsessed with solving it. Self-serve when you can, but ask for help when you need it. Sometimes that “Aha!” moment is just a few clicks away.
5. Network
Expand your circle. Generally, people love talking about what they do and are open to sharing helpful resources. Networking is also a great way to build your brand and grow your interests. If your eyes rolled at “build your brand”, remember that this can be as subtle or obvious as you want as long as it positively reenforces your ambitions.
6. Actively listen
Stay engaged during conversations. Imagine you’re interviewing for a job, and you want to understand what your role and responsibilities would be. The goal is to have focused attention without distractions; multitasking is inefficient.
7. Take notes
It’s extremely difficult to retain information after hearing it for the first time. Taking notes helps you remember details and provides a reference for later on. Mentors and peers engaging with you will recognize your knowledge retention and respect you more for your diligence and attention to detail.
8. Organize your thoughts
Compile your research into a visual aid or document. Imagine that you are creating a resource for newcomers like yourself. I like using tables, but you can also create diagrams, slides, Excel charts, or a short white paper.
9. Embrace the mindset of a teacher
Breaking down complex information in a digestible way to others helps improve your understanding of the concepts. Transposing information into a consumable format can take many forms, allowing you to let your creativity shine.
10. Practice
Volunteer to do undesirable work, push yourself to think outside of your comfort zone, and set aside designated, recurring time to focus on work and expand your knowledge. Habituation is key here.
That said, if the above steps don’t work for your learning style, I hope it inspires you to create and hone your own practice. Once you feel confident with your approach, it can feel exciting and even addicting to learn new skills and concepts.
