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How to Learn A New Skill Easily, Effectively, and Quickly.

Writer's picture: Naima MwatsahuNaima Mwatsahu

Updated: Mar 13, 2024


a tablet with the text loading new skills written on the screen
Learn a new skill effectively and quickly.

We all want to be better at something. Learning a new skill could be a game-changer- holding the keys to a world of opportunities and paving the way for your dream. The approach, and the method—are the factors that determine how smoothly and swiftly you can do it. Now how do you kickstart this journey? I've got a couple of strategies to streamline your path to learning a new skill easily, effectively, and quickly. 


Pick a Skill, but Make It Count

The first step is to choose a skill that you want to learn. However, ensure the skill is not only personally fulfilling but also beneficial for your current or future position. Gaining a new skill is an investment and you need to know upfront what the return will be.


Break It Down into Bite-Sized Bits

Let's not get overwhelmed; break that skill into digestible chunks. Breaking it down allows you to focus on specific aspects, making the learning process more achievable. It also provides a tangible way to measure your progress.


Research

Before diving into practice, conduct thorough research on the chosen skill. Utilize various resources such as videos, articles, and books to gain a foundational understanding. Remember, while research is valuable, true skill development occurs during hands-on learning and practice.


Embrace Active Learning Strategies

Engage in active learning strategies that involve hands-on activities, such as group discussions and role-playing. Actively participating in the learning process enhances understanding and mastery of the content.


For example, if you are diving into the coding universe, aiming to crack the code (literally). Don’t dwell too much on the lectures. Instead, join coding study sessions with your tech-savvy pals. Discuss real-world coding problems, take turns being the coder and the debugger, and learn from each other's triumphs and tangles. Take coding challenges online, tinker with real projects, and embrace the trial-and-error dance. Engage in coding boot camps, attend hackathons, and build your digital masterpiece. The key? Less theory, more coding action.


Utilize Different Learning Mediums

Avoid confining yourself to a single learning method. Instead, explore various learning mediums. Consider the task at hand and choose the most effective tool. Mix things up, especially in an age where diverse information is readily accessible.


Take learning a new language, for example. To learn how to write in Arabic, the best tool for the job might be an Arabic grammar textbook. But if you want to improve your listening and verbal skills, reading a textbook won't be as effective as, say, chatting with a native speaker. 

In an age where so much information is available at your fingertips, don't limit yourself to just one book or course. Mix things up!


Practice regularly

In his book "The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything," Josh Kaufman introduces the 20-Hour Rule, suggesting that investing approximately 20 hours in deliberate and focused practice is sufficient to attain reasonable competence in a new skill. While this won't make you an expert, it ensures proficiency and confidence in mastering the basics. Essentially, this breaks down to dedicating approximately 45 minutes per day over a month or allocating four hours per day for a week. The key lies in scheduling regular practice sessions exclusively dedicated to the skill, engaging in a deliberate practice that includes purposeful and goal-directed rehearsal alongside practical application in various scenarios.


Get feedback

Throughout your practice sessions, get feedback from others who have experience in the skill. This will help you identify areas where you need to improve and adjust your practice plan accordingly.


Challenge yourself to teach it to others

One of the quickest ways to learn something new, and to practice it, is to teach others how to do it. So share what you learn with your team, your friends, your manager, or your co-workers. You can force yourself to do it by putting a “teaching” date on your calendar or agreeing to lead a formal training session a few months down the road. With objectives like those, your learning will be much more focused and practical.


Here are the top trending skills to learn in 2024, along with free resources to get started:


  • Digital Marketing: Learn the basics of digital marketing through Google's Digital Garage or HubSpot Academy for free courses on SEO, social media, and more.

  • Data Analysis: Enhance your data analysis skills with free courses on Coursera or Khan Academy, covering topics like Excel, statistics, and data visualization.

  • Graphic Design: Explore graphic design fundamentals with Adobe's online tutorials or Canva Design School for free courses on design principles and tools.

  • Programming (Python): Dive into Python programming with free resources like Codecademy or Python.org's documentation and tutorials.

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI): Discover AI basics with free courses on Udemy or IBM's AI Engineering Professional Certificate for a comprehensive introduction to AI concepts and applications.

  • Public Speaking: Improve your public speaking skills with free courses on edX or Toastmasters' online resources for speech tips and practice.



There you have it—strategies meant to make learning a new skill a breeze. Break it down, dive in, and mix it up. Whether it's coding or language, follow the 20-Hour Rule and get ready to conquer new heights.


Got more game-changing strategies up your sleeve? Drop them in the comments, and let's build a knowledge hub. Please share the article with anyone who might benefit from the strategies provided!

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