How to learn anything
Books / / December 19, 2019
When you see someone lights the fire in the forest with the help of sticks, or prepares excellent omelets, or confidently leads in rushing tango, it's not so easy to forget. Such virtuoso action looks very complicated, but they may well be to learn if just follow the pattern.
All skills, the same structure:
- The key trick.
- Barrier patting / stroking.
- General security.
- Result.
- Repeatability.
- Experimental possibilities.
Knowledge of this structure helps to develop any skills, as well as find and recognize them in life. When faced with a new theme, it helps to allocate it that is skill, and therefore, accelerates learning and increases the chances that you will not throw the case.
1. The key trick
I guess you already knew that the key tricks pave the way to new knowledge and provide a head start in mastering them. They help to overcome the barriers inherent in any training. Some of the tricks relating to familiarity with the subject and the degree of self-confidence, others are helping to pay due attention to some of the parts of the process.
Knowledge of the key tricks lets you take control of the situation.
Someday, perhaps you will begin to cope without them, but the first time they will be your best friends.
The key may be a trick approach change - for example, to intercept the pencil or higher to separate the proteins from the yolks, preparing an omelette. Or lie in the focus on any of the stages: for example, to learn how to ride on the board for surfingAt first it is necessary to train to jump on it on the floor of the room. And to make a U-turn on a skateboard, in the first place to turn in the right side of the eyes and head - and whole body follow. The trick may lurk in important detail: if you want to get the fire by friction, all materials must be dry and stay as far away from the earth - you have no idea how much moisture at the surface soil.
The key trick first creates a false impression: you think, once you know it, you will be able to do the right thing. But then carried away, you know: it does not replace the hours of practice, but it will help to overcome them faster and more enjoyable - and in the end you get the desired result.
Some skills tricks sometimes several - as, for example, in drawing Zen circles: You can hold the brush higher and one hand can be put on the other fist. Sometimes the key tricks are very small and seemingly insignificant. In street photography trick is just to get closer to your subject - and this alone will make your staff much better.
Over time, you'll probably reach a point where the key tricks you will no longer be so important. But by that time they had already done their work - will involve you in the process so that you will continue to improve their skills.
2. Barrier patting / stroking (countering skills)
Many of the tricks, giving advantage in the initial development of skills associated with overcoming "patting / stroking barrier" (it is also known as counter skill barrier). You encounter it when it detects that you need to perform any actions that are contrary to each other. The name comes from the well-known problem: at the same time with one hand stroking his stomach and another pat on the head. It would seem that there is nothing complicated, but try - and you will see that it is almost impossible. However, this problem can still be solved by focusing first on one half of it, and then gradually to connect another.
We usually imagine the mastery of skills is too simplistic: it seems to us that we simply assimilate them, first one, then another. But in fact, we already have the ability to help how can acquire new and, on the contrary, hinder the process. We think, to learn something complex, such as lead carYou need to coordinate a number of different skills. But no less useful to look at them separately: whether they interfere with each other? For example, the gear change twist prevents wheel - certainly does not help. Best to bring each skill to perfection and automatism independently of the others, and not to suffer, trying to apply them all at once.
On the skills you will come across a barrier countering any attempt to learn something stóyaschee: brain solves the problem of coordinating neural pathways. And to change the focus was not always easy: it is often when the task overwhelms us, we begin to panic and throw everything. "I just can not handle it!" - we're talking about. Those who by nature is capable to learn quickly when faced with difficulties, unconsciously focus on any one item. Perhaps it makes them a little pedantic, but because of this understanding you can not get in a hurry. It is important to be "out of time". (For myself, I found that if, learning something new, I select to "lesson" for two hours, then quickly forget about the timing and the process is converted into a stream. But if I give myself less time, I start to hurry) It also helps key trick -. It weakens conflict skills and contribute to their harmonization.
If you are aware of the barrier, possess the ability to become easier. You concentrate your efforts.
Let us return to the Zen circles. Here, the barrier is not too high - although it stops people who are convinced that they are "not able paint"(Or they have convinced themselves it yourself). The contradiction here is is this: precise and neat lines require a slow pace, and the right curve - speed and skill. If you slow down too much, the range will be similar to the amoeba. Accelerate too - get the egg serrated - a kind of hairstyle cartoon character.
Some skills barrier patting / stroking low, and start their development difficult. For example, if you build towers of stones, knowing the key trick, the barrier becomes evident only in the moment of realization: the crazier the balance, the more difficult to continue the construction. We must at the same time to find tiny bumps and point balance and think of the finished tower. A successful balance point for the three stones can break down already built a tower of five. Moving a group of stones here and there in search of balance, and then create it for the next tier - it's almost the same thing at the same time stroking his belly and pat on the head.
In other cases, this barrier is a major obstacle to the development of skills in general. As you probably have guessed, juggling barrier patting / stroking very high. You've got to be able to almost simultaneously throw and catch objects with both hands separately. The trick is to first focus on the toss, and then - on the fishing. Sharing and narabatyvaya skills you develop neural communication, gradually perfecting his "autopilot".
You may want to give their level of competence or the degree of concentration numerical estimate. For example, you may have a "nine" for tossing only "two" for the catch. Such an evaluation component elements of skill (about it in detail in the excellent series of books about Timothy Galway "Inner game") well helps to reduce the pressure that occurs when trying to improve both skills at the same time. If overcoming the barrier takes too much effort, the result is usually experienced only disappointment. It is better to return periodically to the ability to review and evaluation of each of the opposing skills.
In aikido, there is the reception called Hajime, involving a transition to a higher level desired. "Hajime" in Japanese means "start" and is to perform every action as quickly as possible. No matter how bad you will have to turn out, the main thing - to keep the maximum speed. It helps to get into state of flux and turn off the conscious mind. Then the same movements to be performed as slowly as possible. This alternation increases awareness, and deep brain learns framework for combating skills.
Countering skills means that we need to simultaneously use two regions of the brain. Our brain prefers to execute actions in turn, but if you disable the conscious perception, the it turns out that we can improve very complex skills that require concurrent operation of different parts of the brain. The conscious mind (by which I mean the verbalization of all the action in your head and follow these instructions) ensures that you will resemble a puppet. The faster you get a feeling for some action and begin to implement it without hesitation, so much the better.
Of course, the guidance may be useful. When you learn to drive, the instructor can put a mark on the back glass help to park. But after a while you will flairAnd you'll always know exactly where you are. For those who first met with some business, it always seems surprising, but in fact we all know how to do some things on the eye. In the XIX century masters could produce perfectly round wheels, relying not so much on the precise measurements, but rather on his instinct. To do something in the eyes - then trust your ability to use the counteracting skill.
3. general security
Before you develop any skill, you have to give yourself the best chance of success. You need the right equipment or tools, time and willingness to learn. And do not rush. You can even think about how to use the non-productive time (comedian and actor Steve Martin, decided to learn to play the banjo, put the instrument in each of the premises of the house, even in the bathroom). You need to remove all obstacles from the path.
Sometimes overcome the barrier patting / stroking it help the right tools. <...> In outdoor photography classes barrier becomes a contradiction between the recording speed and the unstable position of the camera, which causes image blurring. To overcome the barrier is possible, using a small cameraWhich focuses very quickly.
In any case, the "right equipment" means the right for you. Tools should inspire you to continue the training.
The photography on the film has attracted some unexpected method of its manifestation with the help of instant coffee and vitamin C - will not believe such a structure actually works. Perhaps it is a bit harder than ready to use the developer, but it's fun and unexpected.
When drawing Zen circles is very useful to find a pen that you really like. Do artists and illustrators usually have favorite tools. Shoo Rayner, as a rule, uses Rotring pen, a writer and illustrator Dan Price - Japanese Sakura pens. I loved the brush Pentel, who worked manga artists - I think that they draw the Zen circles even more interesting.
But the general provision involves not only a tool - it is environment and surrounding. My daughter almost threw classes guitarBut when we changed teacher, it does not just become a trained faster, but also really attracted to. The right teacher is very important. He does not have to be a great expert - but let it do so, that you do want to improve that you like. Just as doctors are helping the human body to heal on their own, teachers are redirecting our attention to help us to learn ourselves.
4. Result
Any ability to provide a successful result - without it we would not want to pursue. The mere fact that a skill, whether juggling or proof of the Pythagorean theorem using origami seems complicated, giving you incentive, and regardless of your motivation (you want to look good in the eyes of others, to prove something to yourself - or both), it should be clear, unambiguous and attainable success result. Therefore cooking in general can not be considered as the ability and preparation omelet - can; driving a car - no, but a turn using the handbrake - yes; canoeing or kayaking - in any case, and the performance of kayak roll - no doubt.
The result is clearer and clearer, the more praise you normally get. We all crave attention - this is a vital resource. In terms of the evolution of human survival require the help of others - always, and not only in early childhood. In the wild to survive the group much easier than alone, and the attention of others said to belong to "the tribe." Of course, the need for attention can go beyond the norm, but for some the amount really needed. Even our own attention to themselves - is the result, a pleasant warm feeling that we have achieved something, even if no one else knows about it.
For some people, a serious motivating factor may be public recognition. Coach and teacher Steve Chapman announces its shares publicly, and uses as motivation fear of humiliation. This fear overcomes laziness and distraction - here's a good example of a negative factor to deal with others.
Significant boost at the same time the result can be a sense of usefulness.
If you can cook a tasty meal, entertain someone to arrange celebration, Fix something, you can take these actions as a reward in itself.
The ability required to bring a sense of achieving a result, even a small one. Drawing Zen circles, I have found that often they fill the entire page, but I try, so they do not overlap. The effect of "bubble" - is an additional pleasure.
5. frequency
You will need this skill, so it can be repeated indefinitely, and therefore it should not be too dull, unyielding, or unchanged.
The most important thing - it should allow you to constantly improve. Repeating it over and over again, you will see your own progress. And it is truly amazing.
I invented for myself a lesson - each time coming to the coffeehouse, drawing a cup, saucer and spoon. Sometimes I carefully emerges all the details and create a real still life. And sometimes in a hurry and do schematic outline in just a minute. It does not matter; the main thing - I continue to do it over and over again by repeating the same easy exercise. I feel like increased my confidence, and I see that the figures are getting better - I'm starting to notice what had not noticed before. But even when I'm in a hurry, I do not fall into panicThat covers us when we are afraid to do something wrong or for one reason or another did not finish the job. These small inner fears can prevent any attempts to create or try something new, even if you do it only for themselves and without any coercion. Predetermined timing and repeatability to help banish those demons of self-doubt.
For marketers, the holy grail is to bring an element of the game: he repeats, but always attracts, because the result is obtained each time a new one. Too much predictability brings boredom. No new omelette is never exactly the same as the previous one, as the number juggling or Zen circle - and there is always a chance that will turn next time better. This is the nature of the game. That it originated in the class should be a possibility of repetition: the writing of the novel - is not a skill, and a short story long hundred words - yes. Climbing Mount Everest - no, but the rise of the wall of the local climbing gym - definitely.
6. experimental possibilities
Mastering any skill - it's a mini-laboratory, a place for countless experiments, extensive and profound knowledge of the subject. The experiments were not the property of science, it is simply appropriated by the inherent nature of human existence form curiosity.
With the help of the experiments you are able to add to the flavor of repeatability. You can improve exponentially, reaching that "just practice" would take too much time. A long time ago I decided to master the skill J-stroke, which is used if you are sitting in a canoe or the latest single rower. This technique is so called because the oar, if you look from above, should describe in water shape like the letter J. I read everything necessary and began to try each time was in a boat on the river. But I could not. Then I talked with a specialist, my cousin Simon, who previously was a member of the Olympic team rowing in a canoe. He modestly said that he is usually done-strokes. I considered it an invitation to experiment and decided instead to follow the instructions exactly, I can entertain C-, L-, J-, and even, perhaps, Z-strokes. And I immediately began to receive better - I found my own way to paddle more powerful.
Each skill can be turned upside down and backwards, getting from this joy. So master the variables - find out how much they can change their values and how they affect each other.
One of the biggest mistakes of training, focused on results - that the process goes too fast and you do not have time to experiment and have some fun.
Continue to draw circles, sculpt in clay skull and doing tricks on a bike, but forget about the final result, and just learn the real thing.
Robert Twigger - British writer, poet, philosopher and traveler. By his own admission, from early childhood he was interested in everything around. Therefore Twigger studied many things and reached success in various fields. The book "Angry White Pajamas" in which Robert described his experience of teaching aikido in Tokyo, brought the author Somerset Maugham Award. Twigger participated in the capture of the longest snake in the world and in the creation of a documentary film about the adventure. In 2009-2010, Robert led the pedestrian expedition, whose purpose was the crossing of the Great Sand Sea in the Sahara (length - 700 km).
Twigger own example proves that it is possible to learn any skill and perfect it. In the book "Micro-workshops", he shares his many years of operating time - detailed instructions on how to master all knowledge and skill.
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