This is a strange post to write, because learning is the defining human skill. Yet many people have no idea how to learn.

Learning is how you improve in anything. Like any other skill you get better at it by doing and reflecting. All your life you've been handed down dogma and told what to do. Learning is how you open the doors you want to go through.

We take too many of the things we do in life for granted. Out of habit we eat shit, we dress like shit, we work stupidly. Apply your capacity to learn to an everyday thing, and see how it improves.

  • Listen
  • Observe
  • Do
  • Record
  • Reflect
  • Fucking listen again
  • Repeat

 

1. Listen
If there is someone willing to teach you, listen to them. Learn how things work. Learn how to make them work. Understand the theory behind the practice, and the practice behind the art. Men are generally better teachers than women.

2. Observe
Look at how your teacher does things. It's rare to have a master and a great teacher in one. Sometimes it's easier to learn by looking than by listening. Observe how what you do differs from what they do. Pay attention to broad strokes- posture, where their attention is, where their hands are. Leave the details for when you've improved.

3. Do
Fucking do it.

4. Record
Note down your results and thoughts. Keep meticulous written notes. Always date and time your records. Sometimes this isn't possible; when you have time, sit and jot it all down. This serves both as a source of data and a view into your progress.

5. Reflect
Leave your ego outside. How did you fuck up? Did you ignore perfectly good advice? Did you not research enough? Most likely, did you simply not try enough times? Don't expect to get good results on your first 100 tries. Keep at it.

6. Fucking listen again
Take feedback from your superiors and your peers. Even casual onlookers. It's your job to decide if their advice is good or shit.

7. Repeat