7 Steps To Cope With Steep Learning Curve

It is definite that we all have come across steep learning curve — In school, at work, for personal growth or goals. Everyone must have had a point of time in life where they had to face a steep learning curve when confronted with a whole new concept. Unless, you have an IQ that exceeds 160. (Yikes, lucky you! But please exit! Ha-ha)

Hence, I am writing this for you, and for myself — As a reminder in the future.

1. Pay close attention to the details

Grasp the concept. What are the nitty gritty details you have to look out for to make it work?

Focus on the essence. Focus on the core. Focus on the foundation. Forget about the non essential information. Forget about perfecting it, the nerves and getting it right for the first time. Analyse and think about the few, main important aspects that make it work — Is it a certain formula? A certain feature? A certain function? You tell me.

I used to bombard myself with everything. Stayed up all night to study for a paper. I was a study manaic. I wanted to know every word at the back of head, I memorised — Word. By. Word. Crazy! I know.

Then comes applied learning in Polytechnic. Dang, what’s with the excessive information in our education system?! I needed to understand the main concepts and NOT MEMORISE. Things work different in the real world. I realised I had to do things differently, or I will fail.

For all my academic years, every subject I was told to study contained superfluous information.

Some information were totally unnecessary which I have only realised much later. (To the brain cells that were abused mercilessly, forgive me!) I thought everything was important as I flipped through my thick heavily-binded notes, distressed. I was falling into a deep abyss of redundant information.

2. Quality practicing

Forget about spending round the clock practicing. Commonly known fact is “Practice makes perfect.” But don’t waste your effort. It is pointless if you are practicing it wrongly.

Practice with a mentor or expert supervising over you. Seek for useful tips and advice — Work on it.

3. Fail

Many a times, we get reprimanded for failing. To be brutally frank, they have failed too – To understand that failing is part of learning. But, give them their due respect. They are your mentors afterall. They care for your learning. Do not get discouraged.

4. Learn from your mistakes

Failing can be traumatic. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Good news is, you have taken your first step. Most importantly, you have tried! That requires a little bit of courage — For taking on a new, unfamiliar task. Take your time to pinpoint where have gone wrong and make sure it does not repeat again. If not, read point 3 again! x

Don’t fret! I have revisited point 3 a couple times. I’m with you.

Everyone has their own pace of learning. As long as you reach your end goal without causing any real damage, you are perfectly fine and well on your way!

5. Set a realistic goal or timeline

Like every project, we need to measure progress. By having a specific timeline or goal in mind, it prevent us from getting too complacent and fall behind when no one is keeping tab. Personally, finding out the purpose of why I am acquiring the skill motivates me to act swiftly.

Ultimately, you should be accountable for your own learning. Break down your learning in small components, set a date to help you measure your progress and strive to follow it. Be careful to be realistic though, or it will cause undue stress.

6. Test yourself

Use your knowledge and put it into practice without guidance. At the end, you will find out what you did not know but, thought you knew. Experimenting through tests will help you to identify your weakness and work to correct them.

Modify your execution and get closer to your goal! I know you can!

7. Master it

To become an expert in your field, you need to master it. Be less rigid and more agile. The number of hours do not testify for success anymore, master your skill by practicing smartly.

Challenge yourself! You may master it before you know it!

Currently stuck at home during these tough period? My two cents would be: Be invested in your own learning. Take on an online course you are interested, but unfamiliar with. Who knows? You may discover your hidden talent!

Thread your way through the uneven, steep curves and flatten it!

Be determine and let positivity be your fuel!

Sincerely,

Jem