Video: All About the 30-Day Learning Challenge

By Leo Babauta

OK, let’s talk about what this 30-Day Learning Challenge is all about … I’ve recorded a video for you here:

You can also download the mp4 to watch on your device/computer.

Notes

In the video, I tell you the 3 main reasons we’re doing this challenge:

1. Tackling the thing you’ve been wanting to learn for a long time now
2. Forming the regular habit of learning
3. Practicing effective learning techniques

And I talk about the way we usually tackle learning:

• Pour ourselves into it, trying to absorb as much as possible
• Expose ourselves – Read and watch videos
• Want quick results
• Cram if we need to prepare for a test
• Get stuck and give up, or expose ourselves to a lot of things and feel like we’re learning
• Avoid the hard work

We’ll be looking at some better methods:

• Spaced repetition
• Testing ourselves (before and after) – forcing us to retrieve the memories
• Interleaving
• Reflecting
• Practice like you play – use it, don’t just read it
• Adding difficulties to the learning: variation, interleaving, because harder learning is more durable
• Tying information to meaningful ideas/memories/images

Some ideas for forming the habit:

1. Set a daily practice/study session – set reminders
2. Commit to daily reflection/journaling & accountability
3. We’ll modify our method as we learn about these techniques, so be ready to adapt
4. Weekly reviews!

Don’t forget to read this article on choosing what you’ll study in your challenge.