It’s probably fair to say that most people in amongst these property communities are here to learn, to grow, to become more, to become the kind of property investor they aspire to be.
As such we will be investing time and attention into learning – to reading, listening, watching webinars, attending live events and courses etc.
Over the summer holidays in particular we can probably allocate more time to reading, whether it be with a physical book or with audible.
So to that end it’s important that we don’t just consume information, and that we don’t just know it, but rather we use it and grow because of it. Wouldn’t you agree?
Some people have the belief that you are either a quick learner or you’re not, but that’s not true. Research has proven that learners are made, not born. So, here are 8 tips I curated from Darren Hardy that will massively improve your learning capacity:
#1 BECOME COMFORTABLE WITH THE STRUGGLE OF LEARNING
We can all recognise that in modern society technology spoils us with instant answers at our fingertips, so can be that anything demanding us to think hard almost seems like an offence to the brain, like having to calculate yield and return percentages when we have a calculator on our phone.
When we are learning something new the brain has to work hard to literally be ‘re-wired’ and create new neurotransmitters (chemical messengers). It’s your brains equivalent of going to the gym to workout, which is what can make learning feel like mental hard work. But that hard work is what makes the muscle grow and pay dividends. So the message here is to accept that mental pain, and remember the old adage no pain, no gain.
#2 BECOME MORE CURIOUS
Our traditional schooling system told us what to learn and what questions to answer in order to be ‘right’ and achieve a good grade. As opposed to discovering the new or different by going off-piste from the syllabus. Hardy encourages us to break free from that way of thinking by questioning everything, challenging assumptions and challenging ourselves to ask better questions. This practice will gradually lead to learning more, not only that but identifying opportunities to solve problems and create value.
#3 HAVE A GOAL FOR YOUR LEARNING
What exactly are you trying to learn? Because we are bombarded with information and sensory input overload through all we see and hear, our brain has to deal with that data in some way. That’s the role of our RAS filter (Reticular Activating System) and without a focus the brain will filter most things out so our heads don’t metaphorically explode with information. We have to proactively tell our RAS filter what we want to learn so it will find it for you, show it to you and store it for you. When we give our brain a learning goal, it will go to work for you and massively enhance your ability to find what you’re looking for and learn.
#4 LEARN IN FOCUSED SESSIONS
Studies have shown that learning in concentrated sessions of 30-90 minutes is optimal – anything less is not enough to hit deep focus and bed in what you’re learning, anything more is too much to take in at one time. I’ve personally adopted Darren Hardy’s practice of 30 mins learning (on the subject matter I want to grow knowledge or capability in at the time) as part of my morning routine, before I get started on the day’s business.
#5 SPACED REPETITION
In other words learning in chunks spaced out but with regular frequency, rather than cramming it all into one day. For example 5 sessions of 60 mins per day over the week is better than 5 hours packed into one day. The spacing gives your brain time to digest what it’s taken in and for the neurotransmitters to reset ready for the next session.
#6 GO DEEP VS WIDE
It’s much better to go deep on one subject than shallow on a wide variety of disconnected subjects. If we go too wide we are in danger of ‘over learning’ ie taking on board ‘not useful now’ information that will overwhelm you. That will actually hinder the learning process and your retention.
#7 REFLECT, REVISIT AND REVIEW TO IMPROVE
If we really want to learn something it requires us to revisit and review it several times. Repeating information over periods of time sends a stronger signal to the brain to retain it for swift recall. And just like creating a new path through long grass, you need to travel it over and over until a clear pathway is created and the ground has been well trodden.
#8 TEACH SOMEONE ELSE
Darren reminds us that, ‘you don’t really know something unless you can explain it convincely to someone else’. When I hear new wisdom nuggets that I value, I’m regularly sharing them with my wife and kids before anyone else. It may bore them or inspire them but if they don’t understand then I know I need to go back and revisit. Getting what you think you know out of your mouth and into the head of someone else is a whole different level of knowing. This is often referred to as the protege effect. [HINT- I’ve just revealed a little selfish reason for writing this blog post :)]
So there you have the 8 step formula for optimising your learning this summer, and hopefully well beyond.
What other learning tips do you take advantage of?