How to Train Your Brain to Retain Knowledge and Insight

Understanding how you learn can transform the way you ask questions and consume information, making it seem like you have a superpower. Learning involves incorporating new facts, concepts, and abilities into our brains, starting from the womb and continuing throughout life. Each new piece of knowledge builds on what we already know, enriching our understanding of the world and enhancing our ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Adaptability is crucial for survival and success in both life and work.

Active engagement is essential for learning. Passive absorption of new ideas is insufficient; we must actively engage with new information. At FS, learning is part of our daily job, and we provide tools to help you learn. The greatest enemy of learning is the belief that you already know something. Admitting when you’re wrong and adjusting your thinking is vital for learning. Recognizing your ignorance and deciding to address it is the first step to learning.

We often struggle with learning due to preconceived notions and distractions. Effective learning requires reflection, discussion, and deep focus. Accelerated learning involves finding effective ways to learn that yield tangible results, but it still requires hard work. Deliberate practice, which involves pushing yourself to the limits of your abilities, is essential for skill enhancement.

Two main sources of learning are personal experience and history. Learning from history involves applying past lessons to the present, while learning from experience involves reflecting on and adjusting based on successes and failures. Two proven techniques for improving learning are the Feynman Technique and spaced repetition. The Feynman Technique involves simplifying concepts to teach them to a child, while spaced repetition involves revising information at increasing intervals to enhance retention.

Effective learning requires building your own understanding with expert guidance. Books such as "The Art of Learning" by Joshua Waitzkin and "Deep Work" by Cal Newport provide valuable insights into learning. Ultimately, you are responsible for your own learning. Building the habit of lifelong learning is essential for personal and professional growth.

The original article: https://fs.blog/learning/