The Science of Self-Learning: How to Teach Yourself Anything, Learn More in Less Time, and Direct Your Own Education (Learning how to Learn Book 1)

Before you self-learn, your mindset must allow it happen. You can either possess a growth mindset or a fixed mindset—the former recognizes that growth will occur with sufficient effort (growth=effort), while the latter believes that growth is not a function of effort, rather luck/fate/innate talent (growth=luck). The growth mindset is what allows y

Deep learning and surface learning are different. Deep learning comes from understanding concepts and patterns, and often, then supersedes the need for shallow, surface learning. The same parallel exists with regard to trying to memorize something, versus trying to understand it. If you simply prioritize concepts and understanding, you’ll be able t

Self-discipline is needed in heavy doses because self-learning is not innately a pleasurable pursuit. It’s work. And it can induce anxiety, stress, and discouragement that ultimately lead to giving up. Look at your moments of anxiety and view them as temporary and passing. The pain won’t last forever, you’ll grow accustomed to it, or you’ll solve i

Research. It’s not as simple as going to the library and checking out a book or consulting Wikipedia and calling it a day. In the same vein as the previous point on pulling information, you must ensure that you are finding a complete and thorough understanding of a topic through five steps: gather, filter, find patterns, seek dissent, and put it al

Information itself is not going to teach you. You must have a dialogue with the material you discover and interact with it in a way that makes up for not having a stimulating teacher or professor. You must pull information out. You can accomplish this through asking critical and probative questions—the goal is to gain understanding, context, and pe

First, plans, schedules, and goals should all figure heavily into your self-learning. In fact, they should be one of the first things you create—all three of them. Take a page from Benjamin Franklin (twice) and implement a daily schedule that simplifies your decision-making, as well as a plan and schedule for accomplishing your goals. Make sure you

Chapter 4. Skills and Habits to Teach Yourself Anything

How do you read a book? A final section details the four levels of reading as articulated by author Mortimer Adler. The levels are elementary, inspectional, analytical, and syntopical. Most of us only get through the first two levels and don’t engage with the material and have a conversation with it. That’s where deep, true comprehension comes from

Finally, you must learn how your focus and attention works in regard to reading. Give it the respect it deserves and take scheduled breaks, make games to read faster, and eliminate distractions.