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You are here because you want to learn something, whatever language, subject, programming etc, faster. You are in the right place because In this article I will precisely talk about How you can Learn anything faster within 20 Hours. You can say this “20 Hours Rule”. So don’t take pressure yourself. Feel good and say “I am fine, I wanna learn a new thing without any stress by giving 20 Hours, and Yay! I can do it”
Mastering a field typically requires 10,000 hours of dedicated practice. However, by practicing intelligently, one can become proficient in something within just 20 hours.
Is it possible to acquire new skills less painfully, in a way that requires far less time and effort?
“Yes, It’s possible”
So Here I will talk about the 5 Steps to learning that skill which you have already chosen for learning, and you are already unknown about that skill which you are going to learn. By giving 20 Hours you can be 90% of that field.
Mindset
Discipline is the key to success in any field. It’s over motivation. You can’t discipline, you can fail. That’s for you should first promise yourself –
Don’t focus on Perfectionism. Focus on progress, not on perfection. Don’t be perfect to start, but start to be perfect. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
You will discipline first to last from 0 to 30 days by giving 40-45 minutes each day. Let’s do a calculation: 20 Hours is equal to 20*60 = 1200 Minutes, If you practice 40 Minutes a day you can finish in exactly 30 days. But we will set 45 minutes, because in 2 or 3 days, You might now be able to work because of your sickness or other causes. Or 45*30 = 1200 Minutes = 20 Hours.
For the first few days, You may not see any significant results, but still, you have to continue it.
The amount of time it will take you to acquire a new skill is largely a matter of how much concentrated time you’re willing to invest in deliberate practice and smart experimentation and how good you need to become to perform at the level you desire. So don’t expect overnight results. And you only focus on one skill at a time by giving your best.
Just see this image from the Atomic Habits Book about your progress. That’s the Valley of Disappointment.
If you want to acquire a new skill, you must practice it in context. Learning enhances practice, but it doesn’t replace it. If performance matters, learning alone is never enough.
Set a Skill
After fixing your broken mindset, now you have to set a skill. So, why do I first talk about mindset before setting a skill or goal? Because “What you will do depends on what you believe.” Your belief comes from your mindset. So, Let’s set a goal for a white (blank) paper and write what we want to learn. Suppose you want to learn “Physics” or “Programming” etc. Write it down clearly.
After setting your goal, Now, question yourself Why do you want to learn this? The answer to this “WHY” defines your purpose. That will encourage and smooth your life. Without any purpose, nothing can be long-lasting. Most people know the answer to “Why”, and “HOW”. But less people know about “WHY”.
Deconstruct the Skill
The initial step involves dissecting the skill. Begin by defining your desired outcome and then analyze the skill to dissect it into smaller, manageable components. Many skills comprise various intertwined abilities.
The deeper you delve into breaking down the skill, the better you can determine which aspects are essential for reaching your goal. Prioritize practicing these crucial components first. By focusing on the most significant elements initially, you can enhance your performance efficiently, minimizing the time required for improvement.
How can you do this? This is the time to research in shorts.
- Break it Down: Analyze the skill into its component parts or sub-skills. What are the essential elements that make up the skill?
- Prioritize: Determine which sub-skills are foundational and which are more advanced or peripheral. Focus on mastering the foundational elements first. Apply 80/20 Rule.
Learn Enough to Self-Correct
Next, aim to attain a level where you can self-correct. Acquire three to five learning resources relevant to your area of interest, such as books or courses. However, avoid using them as excuses for delaying actual practice. It’s common to fall into the trap of accumulating numerous resources, intending to start learning only after completing them all.
Instead, focus on acquiring just enough knowledge to facilitate practice and self-correction. Treat learning as a means to improve your ability to identify errors and adjust your approach while practicing. This way, learning becomes a tool for refining your skills through real-time feedback.
Remove Practice Barriers
The next step involves eliminating obstacles to practice, such as distractions from television or the internet. These interruptions often hinder your ability to focus on the task at hand.
By exerting a small amount of willpower to eliminate these distractions, you increase the likelihood of dedicating time to practice. Clearing away these hindrances enables you to concentrate more effectively on your practice sessions.
There are three most common types of distractions:
(1) Environmental Distractions: Noisy neighbors, loud traffic outside, cluttered workspace, uncomfortable seating arrangement.
(2) Digital Distractions: Notifications from social media apps, incoming emails, text messages, browsing the internet for non-work-related purposes.
(3) Internal (Emotional) Distractions: Intrusive thoughts about personal issues or upcoming tasks, feeling anxious or stressed, lack of motivation or focus.
Practice at Least 20 Hours
20 hours is the magic number to become proficient in a skill. It takes about 10,000 hours to become a leading expert in any field. But, it only takes 20 hours to acquire a specific skill. So, keep practicing to unlock your first 20 hours of magic potential. Please, don’t stress yourself. Learning can sometimes be challenging or easy. Every person has a unique style to learn or adapt any skill, so embrace happiness and discipline.
In conclusion, approach learning realistically. Take a paper, jot down what you want to learn, and start with a 30 to 60-minute research session to explore resources and sub-elements. Then, commit to practicing for 45 minutes a day with consistency. Remember to practice in context, as that’s the true essence of learning. I hope you will tailor this approach to fit your individual circumstances. Thank you for reading, and I trust you have found value in this article.