How I actually learn stuff

Learned something years ago that some people miss: learning isn't about reading more. I find exceedingly that it's about processing differently.

As a result, I try and keep my system ruthlessly practical.

Three core principles that might be useful for you:

1. Active Deconstruction: When I want to learn something, I don't just consume. I tear it apart.

Reading a book on marketing? I'm not just highlighting. I'm asking:

• What's the core argument (self-summary)?

• Where would this break down (fail)?

• How would I implement this tomorrow (immediate application, I'll cover this later)?

For example: When I read "Lean Startup", I didn't just absorb the content to regurgitate. I built a mock business model that same week testing Eric Ries' principles. Took notes, created scenarios, stress-tested the concepts. I picked this idea out of a bank I maintain. The one I ran with was "pop-up perfume pay-per-spray-session stalls".

The idea was to test out my knowledge by stress testing an idea immediately.

2. Immediate Application: Window knowledge dies without execution. I give myself a 72-hour window to apply what I've learned.

   
   

Learn a negotiation technique? I'm consciously finding a negotiation that week to test it.

Read about a productivity hack? Implementing it immediately in the simplest of daily routines like minutes of the meeting, assigning work, automating repetition.

90% of people consume. 10% apply. Guess who gets results?

3. Ruthless Information Diet: I don't consume everything (ain't nobody got time for dat). 

   I try to be selective as hell.

   
   

My learning sources:

• Books (1-2 per month, not skimming)

• Podcasts from practitioners, not theorists (DM me on Twitter if you want some links)

• Direct conversations with people doing the thing

• Limited, high-quality online courses (sometimes)

  
  

Sometimes this also comes in handy:

Compression Technique:

After learning something, I teach it to someone else within a week. Forces me to:

• Understand it deeply

• Simplify complex ideas

• Identify my real comprehension gaps