How to learn something new

The world is changing, faster than anyone could ever imagine. Many things which were part of our lives many years ago are no longer here, and many things which are part of our lives today will become collector items in the nearest future. For every latest technology, there is always a better or total replacement in about two years. Some change faster, others change slower, but they all change. Who would have thought, twenty years ago that we would have technologies like 3D camera, augmented reality and super-fast communication like we have today?

Hence, one very important skill we need to have to remain relevant in this present world is to be able to learn new things, fast.

This time last year, I was getting ready to start a PhD in an area I knew nothing about (full story here). I had a background in mechanical engineering, but I know that my PhD research would require knowledge about many things I was yet to know. So I have been actively learning all new stuff since then.

I, therefore, write this post, not as someone who knows but as someone in the process of knowing. My learning experience has been one with many disappointment but the joy of finally knowing what you have been learning outweighs the process.

In the past one year, I have been learning how to speak a new language — Japanese, about Python and C++ programming, machine learning, computer vision, robotics and artificial intelligence. And I must say it has been a challenging but enjoyable year. Below are the ideas that have helped to keep learning and improving.

1. Cultivate an interest in what you are learning.Learning is not easy, it takes a lot of effort and energy and it is quite easy to burn out. However, your interest helps to relieve the feeling that exerting so much effort and energy. I play the saxophone and piano to an enviable extent, and so I have had many questions from people who want to learn an easy instrument, and one thing I always tell them is that no musical instrument is easy no matter how easy it looks, and there are times you will get stuck and it seems like you are not getting better. However, at those times, it is your interest in what you are learning that pulls you through.

2. Spend time.Probably this is the single most important factor in learning anything. You must spend time on what you are learning. I cannot overemphasize this. This is one thing all of the best people in any area or field have in common, they spend a ginormous amount of time to hone their skills. The more time you spend, the better you become. Simple as that!

3. Know that learning is a cycle.Since I have started my research, I have realized this cycle; I have no idea about something, I start learning about it, I usually don’t understand the first time I read about a new subject, I read again, now I have a better understanding, I go over it again, now I grasp it, then I move on to the next thing, and repeat the process. Sometimes I repeat the ‘going over’ step many times before I could move on. This helps me never to really get stuck. The more I repeat the cycle, the better I get. This can, however, take a long span of time. You can call it experience.

4. Sometimes it is good to be distracted.Presently, I work an average of 80 hours a week most of which is studying about something new, which sometimes can get really tiresome. However, I take a free day off to cool off and do something else. Play music, go to church service, just sleep and listen to music, sight-see, see a movie, just to name a few. The bottom-line is, I let myself get refreshed by doing something entirely different, which is not necessarily learning. I believe it helps me to keep energized and fresh.

In the course of my life, I have been able to personally learn two musical instruments (to an intermediate proficiency, without music theory experience. Yes, I play by hear), music production (I have a music album), graphic design, video editing and flash animation, 3D drafting, modelling and animation, screen printing, a third language, and computer programming. I still want to learn more, maybe a fourth language and web design. You can call me Jack of many trades. Haha!

I think I enjoy learning new things, and this gives me confidence that I will continue to be relevant in this rapidly changing world.

If you like this post and like learning as much as I do, please share an experience or a tip in the comment. I can learn from you too. :)