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How fast can you learn a new skill or a new program? Can you become a quick learner?
Upskilling and reskilling are big buzzwords for a reason.
As AI infiltrates virtually every workplace, the skills needed to excel are changing at warp speed. With a wealth of information at our fingertips, learning new skills should be more accessible. Instead, the constant flow of flashing information often leads to overwhelm instead.
If you could magically inherit a set of skills or knowledge tomorrow, what would you choose? Me? I'd speak at least three languages, have a deep understanding of human psychology, and know how the economy actually works. Is that even possible?
Table of Contents
- The Science Behind Quick Learning
- How to Show You're a Fast Learner in a Job Interview
- In Conclusion + More Reads About Learning
The Science Behind Quick Learning
Before delving into specific strategies for rapid learning, it's essential to understand the underlying principles of how we learn. Learning is a complex cognitive process that involves the acquisition, retention, and application of knowledge and skills.
Several key factors influence how we learn, retain, and apply new information, including:
- Attention
- Motivation
- Practice
- Repetition
- Feedback
Before setting out to learn anything, it's important to identify your specific learning style.
8 Ways to Become a Quick Learner
1. Develop + Nurture a Growth Mindset
Central to becoming a quick learner is cultivating a growth mindset. A growth mindset is the belief that dedication and hard work can develop intelligence and abilities.
Embracing a growth mindset empowers individuals to view challenges as opportunities for growth, rather than obstacles to be avoided. By adopting a positive attitude towards learning and embracing a willingness to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from failure, you can unleash your full learning potential and overcome any obstacles that stand in your way.
2. Set Clear Goals and Objectives
One of the first steps in becoming a quick learner is setting clear and achievable learning goals. Whether learning a new skill, tackling a challenging project, or pursuing personal development, having a clear sense of what you want to accomplish provides direction and motivation.
Break down your goals into smaller, manageable milestones, and establish a timeline for achieving them. This not only helps keep you focused and on track but also provides a sense of accomplishment as you make progress towards your objectives.
3. Lean Away from Multi-Tasking
Multitasking is overrated. While multitasking may seem like a way to accomplish more in less time, research has shown that it often leads to decreased productivity and lower-quality work.
By monotasking or single-tasking, you'll focus on one task at a time. Single-tasking, especially when learning a new skill, is essential for several reasons.
The Benefits of Single-Tasking
- Deeper concentration and absorption of information
- Work more efficiently
- Achieve better results in our learning endeavors
- Effectively engage with the material
- Enhance our learning experience
- Promotes better memory consolidation
- Fosters a sense of mastery and confidence
While it's great to brag about completing a dozen lessons while listening to your favorite podcast, multitasking inevitably reduces your absorption of new information. Try focused single-tasking to learn consciously.
4. Try Chunking + Other Memorization Techniques
More information does not equate to more learning. In fact, studies have found quite the opposite. Processing information, especially new information, takes resources and energy. While the brain is an impressive resource, it can get overloaded with information.
When your brain becomes overloaded with information, it's called cognitive overload. Instead of learning more, cognitive overload ultimately reduces learning. Now, I'd be super grateful if someone could travel back in time to let my high school biology and geometry teachers know that.
Chunking is a great method of learning and productivity. Instead of presenting an overwhelming mass to learn and memorize, chunking describes a learning method where we break things up into smaller pieces. A great example of chucking is phone numbers. It's much easier to memorize three small groups of numbers rather than a single, ten-digit number.
Phone Number Chunking
- Instead of 9145553401
- Try this: 914-555-3401
When attempting to learn new information, chunk what you can. Break your learning up into lessons, layers, and chunks. This will help you to build foundational knowledge and layer upon it.
Other Active Learning Processes
- Hands-on activities
- Discussions
- Problem-solving + feedback
- Reflection
- Brainstorming
- Roleplay
- Interactive practice
Learning something new will inevitably involve a level of reading and studying. However, active learning is where you can put your skills into play, bounce your ideas off others, and gain meaningful perspectives from others.
5. Create a Positive Learning Environment
First of all, if you're setting out to learn something new, spread the word! Find support and encouragement from others.
Surround yourself with positive influences, supportive peers, and mentors who can provide encouragement, guidance, and feedback. Set boundaries and prioritize your time effectively to ensure ample time for learning and personal growth. By creating a supportive learning environment, you can cultivate the conditions for rapid learning and achieve your goals with confidence and ease.
Next, establish a dedicated study space and time. Ensure that your learning space is free from distractions so you can focus your full attention on learning.
I always thought that the morning was the best time to learn. I was humbled when I started researching for this article. Actually, the morning is not a great time to learn. While it may be a perfect time to attend meetings or do productive work, the best time to learn is in the afternoon.
Though you may identify yourself as a "morning person" or "evening person," your ability to memorize isn't influenced as much by what time of day you perceive yourself to be most alert.
Studies suggest that the best times to learn are:
- 10am - 2pm
- 4pm - 10pm
This changes the whole idea of homework for me.
6. Be Consistent
We all know that practice makes perfect. When setting out to learn something new, repetitive practice is critical. Practice your new skill or area of expertise with deliberation.
Unlike mindless repetition, deliberate practice requires active engagement, feedback, and reflection. This enables learners to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and make adjustments accordingly.
Break down complex skills into smaller components, and practice each component individually until mastery is achieved. Incorporate feedback from mentors, coaches, or peers to refine your skills further and accelerate your learning progress
7. Be Curious
To me, curiosity is the most essential part of continuing to learn throughout your lifetime. Curiosity is the fuel that drives the learning process, sparking our innate desire to explore, discover, and learn.
Cultivate a sense of curiosity and wonder about the world around you, and don't be afraid to ask questions and seek out new experiences. Be open-minded and receptive to new ideas, perspectives, and ways of thinking, and actively seek out opportunities for exploration and discovery. By embracing curiosity and approaching learning with a sense of wonder, you can transform even the most mundane tasks into opportunities for growth and discovery.
8. Embrace Failure
If we reframe the idea of "failure" as a really tough lesson, is the prospect of failing a little less scary?
Failure is an inevitable part of the learning process. It's a natural byproduct of pushing beyond our comfort zones and striving for mastery. In fact, failure shows that we are applying our lessons and learning through trial and error. Any student will find that applying lessons out in "the real world" is where the most meaningful lessons happen. Sometimes, failure or trial and error are part of that experience.
The difference between real failure and perceived failure is the lesson you take from it.
Analyze your failures objectively, identify the underlying causes, and use them as valuable learning experiences to inform your future efforts. The best learners can maintain a positive attitude—even in the face of setbacks. Remember that every failure brings you one step closer to meaningful mastery.
How to Show You're a Fast Learner in a Job Interview
If you need to demonstrate that you're a fast learner during a job interview, you can do this by listening actively and summarizing what you have been told. Another option is to ask thoughtful questions about the organization simply. Don't try to show that you "know everything," as this may backfire.
How I (Really) Did This: I have an example of how I was given a chance to showcase my fast learning skills—and it truly changed the entire trajectory of my career. I had been hired as a social media intern for a small startup in San Francisco, which I intended to use as a stepping stone to "get into" the wild tech startup world in the 2010s.
My boss called me into his office at the end of my first or second work week. He slid a book across the conference room table called Inbound Marketing by Dharmesh Shah and Brian Halligan of Hubspot. He told me that if I read this book and could start putting the inbound marketing practices into play, this internship would likely turn into a new position as the company's first content marketer.
This was a huge chance to show that I was a versatile employee with a fast learning ability. Long story short, I read the book, showcased my quick learning skills, and unlocked an entirely new career path that I hadn't even known existed until the moment I saw that book.
Highlight Past Experiences
Provide examples from your past experiences where you successfully tackled steep learning curves or quickly adapted to new situations. Describe specific instances where you demonstrated your ability to rapidly grasp new concepts or skills.
Emphasize Your Curiosity
Showcase your natural curiosity by discussing instances where you proactively sought out new knowledge or skills, whether through self-directed learning, online courses, or extracurricular activities. Demonstrate your eagerness to learn and grow within the role.
Showcase Problem-Solving Skills
Illustrate your ability to think critically and solve problems efficiently. Discuss situations where you encountered challenges or obstacles and describe how you quickly analyzed the situation, identified solutions, and implemented them effectively.
Highlight Adaptability
Demonstrate your adaptability by sharing experiences where you successfully transitioned into new roles or environments with ease. Discuss how you quickly acclimated to unfamiliar processes, technologies, or team dynamics, showcasing your ability to thrive in diverse settings. Show how you're a team player, using concrete examples of how you applied new knowledge to help your team.
Provide Testimonials
Offer references or testimonials from previous employers or colleagues who can vouch for your ability to learn quickly. Hearing positive feedback from others can reinforce your claims and provide additional credibility to your statements during the interview.
In Conclusion
Becoming a quick learner is not an inborn talent for a select few. Rather, it's a skill that can be cultivated and honed through dedication, practice, and perseverance.
You Might Also Like These Articles About Education and Learning:
- How to Set Learning Goals + Excel in Your Career
- The 10 Toughest Career Life Lessons I've Learned (So Far)
- The Great Reskilling: 11 Ways to Upskill for Career Success
- What Type of Learner Are You?
By understanding the underlying principles of learning, adopting a growth mindset, setting clear goals, and utilizing active learning techniques, you can unlock your full learning potential and succeed in any endeavor. Embrace curiosity, embrace failure, and surround yourself with a supportive learning environment that nurtures your growth and development.
Now, go off and learn!
