If you are in the process of learning a new skill, you would agree that learning something new can be very challenging. Sometimes, it feels like your brain cannot take in a new skill, but when you see other people doing it efficiently, it piques your interest once more.
There are many reasons why we desire to learn a new skill. It could be about pursuing a passion project or fun hobby, a desire to upgrade your work skills, or you want to change jobs entirely. Whatever your reason, learning a new skill can be an interesting aspect of life and work that will add more value to you in the long run.
The ability to learn is a skill in itself. Hence, learning how to learn is one of the most important things one needs to know. Whether you are looking to learn writing, public speaking, coding, swimming, graphic design, or any new skill of your choice, this post will open your eyes to some of the most effective strategies for mastering that skill more easily.
If you are struggling to make progress in learning any skill, these verified expert tips on effectively mastering a new skill will be extremely helpful. These tips have been discussed by industry experts, in discussion forums, and by renowned polymaths like Leonardo Da Vinci who mastered almost every skill they decided to learn.
Things To Know First When Learning a New Skill
Before we see the strategies for mastering a new skill easily, you need to prepare for the process. The following are good starter tips as you move on to master that skill you have always dreamt of.
- Learning and mastering a new skill is a marathon, not a sprint.
- You have to learn the right way to make good progress.
- Practice makes perfect.
- Accept that you can do it no matter how difficult it seems (the growth mindset).
- Consistency is key.
- If you don’t give up, you still can master it.
Top Strategies To Master A New Skill
Leonardo Da Vinci who is regarded as a polymath in the High Renaissance who mastered many skills, and was active as a painter, draughtsman, engineer, scientist, theorist, sculptor, and architect.
You could describe him as a creative genius and some of his works are notable today. Some of his works include Monalisa and the Last Supper (Paintings), his concepts of the parachute, helicopter, and armoured tank, and so many other works in other areas of his expertise.
Learning and mastering a new skill requires a great deal of commitment and resilience. If you look to master a new skill in just a few days, that may not be very realistic. But with these strategies, you will be able to master any new skill within the shortest possible time.
1. Set clear and SMART goals
One of the first steps to mastering a new skill is to set clear and SMART goals to guide you through the process. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Each of these components put together increases your chances of achieving your learning goals and gaining mastery of your new skill.
For example, if you want to learn to code, you need to first break down the skill into smaller achievable units (like learning the components of the programming language, then progressing to the syntax, and then putting them all together). Also, you should give yourself a time target and make it as realistic as possible, not just a crash course.
Your goals might not be very clear from the beginning but as long as you have a working plan, they will gradually get clearer and more achievable with time.
2. Break it down into the basics
Similar to setting realistic goals, you need to understand the basics of the new skill you are trying to learn. No matter how complex it might seem, it all boils down to the basic elements. And once you understand them, it’s only a matter of time before you achieve mastery or attain your highest level of creativity at.
Learning the basics may take time but it will always be worth it. Instead of jumping to more advanced steps because you want to get the perception that you are learning fast, stick to the basics and you will naturally make progress without crashing at some point. Learning the basics of a new skill is like building the foundations; the stronger it is, the better you will be.
4. Apply the Feynman technique
The Feynman technique is a simple and powerful learning technique that most outstanding people have applied. It involves learning by teaching others. The idea of the Feynman technique is that if you can explain a concept behind a skill or information to a novice, you have understood it well yourself.
It’s more like understanding the basics and learning to communicate it to others. People who learn to be able to explain it later do so by asking the important questions of “how”, and “why”, instead of stopping at “what” something is.
You may not know what you need to know until you start teaching someone. So, after learning something about your new skill, look for someone to explain it to. You would begin to see which areas you are still deficient in, which will motivate you to go back to check them out. This way, your learning is more focused and intentional.
5. Devote time to practice
Consistent practising unleashes your “Chi” is anything you are learning. It teaches your brain to find the most efficient way to handle the skill, which is what mastery is all about. Study all you can, without putting your hands on the skill, you can never make much significant progress at it.
To gain mastery quickly at your new skill, you must devote some time to practice. Try out what you have studied and keep doing it, no matter how hard it might seem at first.
6. Make practising fun and active
Practising one thing for a long time can sometimes be boring. But quitting practice simply because it is boring will only make you slower in learning your new skill. This is why you need to devise fun and active ways to keep practising.
During our peak hours, we are at our best productivity. But at other times, learning becomes very boring. Also, practising something continuously can get boring, especially when you are not making as much progress as you want. These are situations when you would need to incorporate more fun and active ways into your learning as you keep practising.
One way to make practising fun and active is by learning in a cool and soothing environment. You could play your favourite songs in the background, or simultaneously do something else you love doing, like seeing a movie while learning your skill. That way, you can convert your boredom to achieve both productivity and fun.
Secondly, learn to treat yourself when you achieve a milestone no matter how small it is. Setting clear goals also gives you milestones to aim at, and when you achieve any of your goals towards mastering the skill, celebrate yourself either by buying something for yourself, seeing a favourite movie, going out with friends, or just anything you would like.
Lastly, in the quest to master your new skill, you should also recognize that it is okay to get some rest and recharge when you are tired. That way, you don’t get too exhausted to continue.
6. Seek constructive feedback
Constructive feedback is essential for mastering a new skill. Feedback helps you assess your strengths and weaknesses, improve on your mistakes, and improve your performance. Make it a habit of asking your superiors for feedback on your current performance in your new skill.
Sometimes, you don’t know what exactly you are not doing right. Having another person’s eyes (who could be an expert or just anyone) can help you figure out which things you need to work on. This helps you reinforce your learning, increase speed and efficiency, and develop your confidence and fluency.
Very importantly, you need to carefully choose the kind of feedback you get. Seek specific and constructive feedback from someone knowledgeable and supportive. Constructive critiquing highlights areas where you are underperforming in a way that does not make you feel worthless.
You should also develop a mind of resilience in cases where a toxic person tries to tear you down with negative criticism. While it is necessary to avoid such feedback as much as possible, you should stay determined to turn it into a motivation instead of giving up at the slightest criticism.
7. Follow experts in the skill
By following people who have succeeded in attaining mastery in your skill of choice, you can learn more about their mindsets, ideologies and lifestyles that enabled them to succeed. These can give you the necessary boost in mastering the skill as fast as possible.
Common ways to follow experts in your skill include reading the books they have authored watching their talks or listening to their podcasts, reading about them and doing industry interviews with them. These impact your progress and learning pace more than you’d imagine.
Important Learning Tips To Know
- The first thing to do when learning something new is to build your passion for it. Fall in love with it. The good thing is passion can be developed.
- To learn effectively, you need to be curious and ask questions at every step of the way. And more importantly, ask the right questions.
- Swallow your pride when learning. You could learn from anyone.
- Learning anything, particularly a new skill, is not going to be a smooth ride. It can be bumpy. Fasten your seat belt and keep going until you get there.
- Bring everything you learn to reality. Nothing is abstract. The earlier you begin to see that it has a real-life application, the better and faster you will be able to grasp it. For example, the physics of swimming resembles the dynamics of a fish in water. Studying hydrodynamics should be easier if you think about these real-life applications.
- Make it a custom to relate your new knowledge with what you already know. Linking information in your brain enhances your memory, creativity and efficiency. For example, if you are a programmer when learning Python, it will save you time when you bring in your understanding of some of the concepts you learned in Javascript.
- Sometimes learning can be haphazard. You can lose touch with some things you were already getting a hold of. But this cycle of learning and forgetting is what will consolidate it in your memory until you can no longer forget what you have learned.
Common Challenges People Face When Learning A New Skill
Learning a new skill can be very challenging even though the result can be both satisfying and rewarding. Here are some common challenges people face when learning a new skill and how you can surmount them successfully.
1. Lack of a committed teacher
One challenge you will encounter when learning a new skill is that it is difficult to find a teacher. And when you finally find one, you have to pay exorbitant prices or they won’t ever be available to you. This is the reason most people would have to opt in for self-learning. The earlier you open your mind to being self-taught, the better for you.
2. Lack of resources
Resources will always be a limitation when it comes to learning something new. You may not have the required materials and tools required for the job but you have to find a way to avoid giving up your desire to learn the skill. Even if it means using improvised and less efficient tools, or hiring or borrowing from someone, just don’t fold your hands to watch your dream die.
3. Busy schedules
There is every chance that you are gainfully employed in something else at the time of learning the skill. Most of us have very busy schedules which can be a challenge when learning a new skill. However, you have to intentionally create some time out for your new skill and passion.
4. Cost of training
Some skills require you to buy expensive courses, pay for tutorials, travel distances, or make subscriptions. This is a fairly common challenge when learning a new skill. To overcome this, search for cheaper or free alternatives that also get the job done.
5. Low motivation
Trust me when I say that your energy level will not always remain at its peak when learning a new skill. Some days can be very bland and lifeless. To get past the challenge of low motivation without giving up, remember that it’s not going to stay that way permanently. Get some rest or fun during your low tides, and get back to work during your high tides.
6. Lack of understanding
This is one of the most common challenges most new learners encounter. Everything seems confusing and your efforts seem fruitless. This is likely because you have yet to grasp the basics. Devote time to learning the basics, and stay committed to getting more understanding about the concepts. The more you understand, the better you will be.
Final word
Drucker once said, “The only skill that will be important in the 21st century is the skill of learning new skills. Everything else will become obsolete over time.” Keeping pace with the current trends requires you to learn new skills and master them.
This post has shown you some of the most powerful ways to learn and master a new skill today. While these strategic tips will keep you ahead of others who are learning similar skills as you, the role of perseverance and patience can still never be over-emphasized. It might look very easy now but keep moving forward.
