I have a very short attention span. I find it quite hard to focus on learning something new. Some have told me this could be on the ADHD spectrum, but I don’t think adding a label is productive. Anyway, the only way I can truly learn something new is by doing that very thing, like a self-described Autodidact.

Learning by doing is obvious and self-explanatory. You learn by doing something, although it’s smart to break things up into smaller chunks. Want to learn the hand stand? Start by strengthening your wrists and upper body. Then move on to the wall stand. Then work on getting comfortable upside down. Then, you can start working on the hand stand. Add any steps inbetween as needed. The key is to take small steps and don’t expect to be able to do a hand stand in a day.

Let me give you a more personal example: I wanted to get familiar with the basics of Golang. I purchased a book (Learning Go) and went through each chapter, keeping a log of what I learned by copying this template. I went through the entire book this way and kept my notes. When I was done, I went through my notes to re-examine them and make changes wherever I didn’t understand something previously. This whole process reaffirmed my knowledge of Golang and I was able to write a small program in Golang by the end of it.

Another way I learn technical things is by using apps like Enki. The work in a very similar way: bite-sized chunks of information and reaffirmation of knowledge.

So, let’s recap:

1. Break things up into smaller chunks

Like picking up any big project or task, splitting learning into smaller chunks makes it more manageable.

2. Keep a log of what you learn

Writing down what you learn helps with remembering and understanding it. It also helps to build your mental model, and if you’ve lost it you can quickly refer back.

3. Re-examine your notes

This is like practice, practice, practice. Re-examining your notes can help remembering and clarifying things you previously might have missed. You might even get one of those ‘oh-wow’ moments.

4. Make changes wherever you didn’t understand something previously

This exercise makes things even more fine-grained, solidifying your knowledge into minute details.

5. Reaffirm your knowledge

Put your knowledge into practice (if on a practical subject), or test your knowledge in other ways. Either by using a system like Enki, or by discussing/debating it with others.

Following this really helped me in my learning journey. Full disclosure, I still procrastinate and have a hard time focusing, but don’t let that stop you!