I will never forget my first construction job!

It was the winter of 1986 and a renovation job for the hotel that was featured in the movie, Pretty Woman, The Beverly Wilshire Hotel.​

They gutted the front building for a complete makeover, while still keeping the rear building for visiting guests and the residents.

(Did you know that some people actually live in hotels, taking advantage of maid and room service, I didn't.)

Since it was my first construction job, as you can imagine, I was overwhelmed, in awe, and loving the new experiences.

Every Monday morning, we would have an all-hands safety meeting, letting us know about the rapidly-changing work conditions, safety issues and the progress of the job.

I was shocked by how many electricians were gathered at these meetings, each week I counted (I'm weird in that way😆), there were over 100 electricians!

Not to mention all the other trades I would see gathered there, i.e. plumbers, carpenters, HVAC guys, etc.

Fast forward a couple decades, I'm doing a brand new from the ground up Kaiser medical office building (MOB).

The MOB had a pharmacy, a couple of operating rooms, positive/negative pressure recovery rooms(to prevent infections or contamination), and offices.

Guess how many guys were needed for that job?

The electrical contractor only need about a dozen, twenty guys, a lot less than a hotel remodel in the 80s.

In the span of about 30 years, construction installation became more streamlines, less labor intensive and easier to do.

And that's the physical world of construction, not office work or online businesses!

• 40% of all working hours could be impacted by large language models (LLMs)
• A quarter of companies are adopting AI because of labor shortages
• 77% are concerned that AI will cause job loss in the next year
• 400 million workers could be displaced because of AI

(Source: World Economic Forum and Forbes)

In today's rapidly evolving world, the ability to learn quickly and effectively has become a crucial skill.

With the global economy becoming increasingly competitive, the pressure to stay relevant and adaptable in your career is more intense than ever.

However, many people struggle with learning, and this difficulty can prevent you from achieving success, happiness, and abundance in your life.

The Problem with Learning

Learning isn't just about consuming information; it's about transforming that information into knowledge and action.

Unfortunately, many barriers can hinder this process:

1. Competitive Global Economy: As technology advances, the job market changes at an unprecedented rate. Skills that were valuable yesterday may be obsolete today. To stay competitive, you must continuously learn and adapt. But when learning becomes a chore, it can be easy to fall behind.
2. Charlatans and Misinformation: The internet is flooded with self-proclaimed experts offering courses and advice. It's challenging to discern valuable information from worthless noise. Investing time and money in the wrong resources can leave you frustrated and disillusioned.
3. Fear of Application: Many people become "professional students," endlessly consuming information without ever applying it. This fear of taking action can stem from a lack of confidence or fear of failure. Yet, without application, learning remains theoretical and doesn't lead to real-world success.
4. Procrastination and Overwhelm: With so much to learn and so little time, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. This can lead to procrastination, where you avoid learning altogether or start learning but never finish.

And It's Only Going to Get Worse

These issues aren't going away.

In fact, as the pace of change accelerates, the gap between those who can learn effectively and those who can't will widen.

If you procrastinate on learning how to learn, you'll find yourself falling further behind in this brave new world.

To thrive, you must become an adept learner—one who can swiftly and efficiently acquire and apply new knowledge.

So, how do you become a better learner?

Here are ten proven strategies I've used over the years to enhance my learning skills:

1. Active Learning

Passive learning, like reading or listening without engagement, often leads to forgetfulness.

Active learning involves engaging with the material to deepen understanding and retention.

Action Steps:

• Summarize: After studying, write a summary in your own words. This forces you to process the information and identify key points.
• Teach Others: Explain the material to someone else. Teaching is a powerful way to reinforce your understanding.
• Apply Practically: Use what you've learned in real-world situations. For instance, if you're learning coding, build a small project to apply your skills.

In Hapkido, we would train in a time-tested manner of active participation.

The instructor would grab a student and demonstrate the technique, the students gathered around, observing.

After demonstrating it a few times then answering questions, the class would break out into pairs, taking turns both doing and receiving the technique, all the while giving feedback to each other.

As they're practicing, the instructor and assistants would be circulating around the class, answering questions, giving corrections and refinements.

This is how we help take novice beginners and turn them into badass black belts.

2. Spaced Repetition​

The brain retains information better when it is reviewed over spaced intervals.

This technique combats the "forgetting curve" and enhances long-term retention.

Action Steps:

• Use flashcards with apps like Anki or Quizlet, which use algorithms to present information at optimal intervals.
• Review notes regularly, gradually increasing the time between reviews.

In martial arts, the serious students put themselves on a scheduled program to review and revisit old techniques.

They know that over time, it's easy to forget, get rusty, and not be able to teach certain techniques; to combat these very human traits, they regularly revisit techniques they've learned but for whatever reason did not adopt into their "favorites."

3. Chunking

Chunking breaks complex information into smaller, manageable units. This makes it easier to process and recall.

Action Steps:

• Identify patterns or groups in the material. For example, break down a long speech into key points.
• Group related concepts together. When learning a language, group vocabulary by themes like food, travel, or emotions.

When I was a foreman in construction, I would often put apprentices on repetitive tasks.

Unfortunately, for the apprentices, this was often repetitive and boring for them.

But for me, it served two purposes.

First, it helped me to internalize basic work skills into this future craftsmen, giving them the reps to hone their skill and efficiency.

Secondly, apprentices as "cheap labor", I was able to be more profitable for our employer by chunking certain tasks, improve productivity and profitability.

4. Interleaved Practice

Rather than focusing on one topic, mix different but related topics in a single study session.

This approach enhances problem-solving and adaptability.

Action Steps:

• Create a study schedule that incorporates multiple subjects or skills.
• Practice different types of problems or scenarios within a single subject. For example, when learning math, solve different types of equations in one session.

To continue the construction example from above, to reward my high-performing apprentice workers, I would have them bounce around to different projects.

While I might take a hit because they were often the most productive at the task I had laid out for them, I also wanted them to learn more of the trade so that I could be able to put them on a wide variety of task, taking advantage of their "can-do" attitude.

5. Use of Analogies and Metaphors

Analogies and metaphors connect new information to existing knowledge, aiding understanding and memory.

Action Steps:

• When learning something new, think of a similar concept you already understand. For instance, if you're learning about electrical circuits, relate them to water flowing through pipes.
• Create your own metaphors to explain complex ideas.

I will never forget this one joint lock technique, I was teaching in Hapkido.

Physically, it wasn't that difficult to do but to do it properly, it was one of those techniques that follow-through and energy (chi) intention was critical for the technique to work properly.

As I ran into difficulty teaching how to do the technique in a dry mechanical way, it occurred to me to teach how the energy flowed in the technique.

I had the students close their eyes and imagine that they were mimicking water going over a waterfall with their hand as they did the technique.

What do you know?

What was so difficult to do mechanically was so easy to do metaphorically!

6. Visualization

Visualization involves creating mental images or diagrams to represent information, making complex concepts more tangible.

As above, visually water going over the edge of a cliff, I was able to have the students "feel" the flow of energy.

Sometimes, some people are more "visual" learners and thinkers, images and picture can convey information in a more effective way to take in.

Action Steps:

• Draw diagrams or mind maps to visualize relationships between concepts.
• Use colors and symbols to highlight important information in your notes.

7. Reflection and Self-Assessment

Reflecting on what you've learned and assessing your understanding is vital for growth.

I've got a confession to make.

I'm not a quick thinker.

In fact, I'm often caught for a loss of words in most social situations.

But one thing that I am is a reflective thinker, I often replay situations and experiences, and view it from as many different perspectives as I can come up with.

Whether that's a strength or weakness doesn't matter to me, I accept it as the way I process and I use it to my best advantage, coming back to people with my thoughts on previous conversations.

And it's often taken gratefully, they feel special that I thought about them and our conversation after the fact.

Action Steps:

• After studying, take a few minutes to reflect on the material. Ask yourself: What did I learn? What do I still need to understand?
• Regularly test yourself on the material to identify areas of weakness.

8. Mindfulness and Focus

In a world full of distractions, maintaining focus is critical for effective learning.

Mindfulness helps you stay present and engaged.

If you're going to learn anything, you're going to need to know how to focus and be mindful of what you are learning, les you be a butterfly flitting about and going from rabbit hole to rabbit hole.

Action Steps:

• Set aside dedicated study time free from distractions. Turn off your phone and create a quiet environment.
• Practice mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, to improve concentration.

9. Goal Setting

Setting specific, achievable goals provides direction and motivation.

It helps you prioritize and manage your learning effectively.

Learning for the sake of learning is great, but learning specifically for setting and achieving goals are critical for success in life.

What do you want in life?

What skills, experience, and talent will best get you toward those goals?

Action Steps:

• Define clear, measurable learning objectives. Instead of "learn to code," set a goal like "complete a basic Python project in one month."
• Break goals into smaller tasks and track your progress.

10. Stay Curious and Open-Minded

Curiosity fuels learning.

An open mind encourages you to explore new ideas and perspectives.

Life has a way of throwing a wrench in the works.

But too often we miss these opportunities because we're wearing blinders toward our goals.

And in the process, we miss out on a lot of the wonder and adventure that life has to offer.

Action Steps:

• Embrace a beginner's mindset. Approach learning with curiosity and a willingness to make mistakes.
• Seek diverse viewpoints. Engage with people from different backgrounds and explore unfamiliar subjects.

Putting It All Together: Daily Habits for Effective Learning

To master these strategies, integrate them into your daily routine. Here’s a simple plan to get started:

1. Morning Reflection: Begin your day with a brief reflection. Review your goals and set intentions for the day. This primes your mind for focused learning.
2. Structured Study Sessions: Schedule dedicated study sessions with specific objectives. Use techniques like active learning, spaced repetition, and interleaved practice.
3. Midday Review: Take a break to review what you've learned. Use visualization and analogies to reinforce understanding.
4. Evening Reflection: End your day with reflection and self-assessment. Identify what worked well and what needs improvement.
5. Continuous Curiosity: Throughout the day, stay curious. Ask questions, explore new topics, and embrace diverse perspectives.
6. Mindfulness Practice: Incorporate mindfulness exercises into your routine. This enhances focus and reduces stress.

Overcoming Common Learning Barriers

Even with these strategies, you may encounter obstacles. Here are some common barriers and how to overcome them:

• Lack of Motivation: When motivation wanes, revisit your goals. Remind yourself of the "why" behind your learning. Break tasks into smaller, more manageable steps to maintain momentum.
• Information Overload: To combat overwhelm, prioritize essential information. Focus on quality over quantity, and take breaks to process and reflect on what you've learned.
• Fear of Failure: Shift your mindset from fearing failure to embracing it as a learning opportunity. Celebrate small wins and view setbacks as stepping stones to success.
• Time Constraints: Use time management techniques, like the Pomodoro Technique, to make the most of your study time. Set aside specific blocks of time for focused learning and stick to them.

The Future of Learning

As technology continues to advance, the landscape of learning will evolve.

Online courses, virtual reality, and AI-driven personalized learning experiences will offer new opportunities for growth.

To thrive in this environment, embrace lifelong learning as a mindset, not just a task.

Cultivate adaptability and resilience, and stay open to new ways of acquiring knowledge.

In Conclusion

In a rapidly changing world, the ability to learn quickly and effectively is your greatest asset.

By mastering the art of learning, you equip yourself with the tools to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and create a life of success and fulfillment.

Remember, learning is a journey, not a destination.

Embrace the process, stay curious, and never stop growing.