Mastery Hacks (Part 1): Repetition
Repetition is the key that unlocks the door to mastery. It’s not about doing it until you get it right, it’s about doing it until you can’t get it wrong.
I taught myself programming when I was eight years old. My first language was Actionscript in Adobe (then Macromedia) Flash; I learned it because I wanted to build games. Over the years, I've taught myself a variety of programming languages and frameworks. Along this journey, I've discovered strategies that have helped me learn and master some of these tools.
In this post, I will discuss about Repetition.
Repetition in learning is a powerful tool. It involves exposing oneself to the same information or activity repeatedly, leading to enhanced memory retention and skill acquisition. This method, though simple, can yield remarkable results.
It's based on the principle that the more frequently a neural pathway is used, the stronger it becomes, making recall or performance easier and more efficient.
In practice, I employ repetition in various ways. For instance, if I am trying to learn a new programming language like Rust, I don't limit myself to just one source. I read multiple articles and books, watch videos, or listen to podcasts that are all about 'Introduction to Rust'. I repeat this process until I am comfortable with my level of understanding.
Benefits
Spaced Repetition
Reviewing a similar piece of content multiple times helps build solid foundations and promote long-term retention.
Natural Selection
Through continuous exposure and practice, the most effective and resilient ideas are retained and reinforced, helping to solidify the knowledge foundations. It's like the survival of the fittest in the learning world, where the most useful and applicable ideas are the ones that stick.
Serendipity
Sometimes, I stumble upon brilliant ideas or insights unexpectedly, which adds excitement and depth to my learning. The unexpected discovery of valuable ideas or insights makes the process more engaging. It's the happy accident of stumbling upon a significant connection or understanding that wasn't the initial focus of the learning activity. This adds an element of surprise and innovation, making it potentially more effective.
Closing Thoughts
It is time-consuming, but getting good at anything takes time—we all know this1. I enjoy the journey rather than focus on the outcome.
I highly recommend checking out the 'Learning How To Learn' free course on Coursera. This course provides valuable insights about repetition, among other key learning principles.
I will discuss other strategies in future posts. Stay tuned.
What learning strategies have you found to be the most effective? I'd love to hear your experiences and insights.
The famous 10,000-hour rule comes to mind here. Later in the series, I will share my thoughts about it.