The Importance of Learning
Everyone is capable of learning, yet very few people understand how to be a great learner. In addition, while people are seeking to improve their life (career, relationships, health, happiness, etc.), very few people make learning a priority. Jim Kwik, a highly-respected brain performance coach, argues that learning how to learn is the most important skill that anyone can master for two reasons: a) Knowing how to learn anything gives you the potential to learn everything, and b) Skills are rapidly becoming obsolete in the dynamic global economy [1].
The Science of Learning
To begin, let’s quickly review some basic neuroscience to understand how learning works. It has been reported that there are, on average, 86 billion neurons (brain cells) in the average adult human brain [2]. Neurons transfer information through electrical excitation, using neurotransmitters (kindly referred to as chemical messengers by Robert Sapolsky) to transfer electrical charges across synapses (microscopic gaps between neurons) [3].
Learning occurs through the creation and repetition of synaptic connections. It has been reported that this can continue throughout life: “The brain changes or ‘gets rewired’ throughout life. It gets rewired as a result of where it focuses its attention, the insights it develops, and the experiences it has” [4]. In fact, research going back to 2001 affirms this idea by stating that the Pre-frontal cortex has “ongoing plasticity that is adaptive to the demands of new tasks” [5].
Becoming an Elite Learner
What does this mean for us? Fortunately, Jim Kwik summarizes this succinctly in Limitless: “If learning is making new connections, then remembering is maintaining and sustaining those connections” [1]. He also goes on to identify three key aspects of becoming a limitless learner. These three things are: 1) Mindset, 2) Motivation, and 3) Methods.
First, he argues that to learn, a person must eradicate their limiting beliefs. This concept of believing in the potential to learn new information – at any age and under any circumstances (include learning disabilities) – ties closely with the work of Carol Dweck’s Mindset and Normain Doidge’s The Brain That Changes Itself [6, 7].
Second, each person must understand and clarify their purpose; why do they want to learn? This is a highly personalized reflection on personal values and objectives. To further understand the relationship between your why and your ability to succeed in learning new skills, Simon Sinek’s Start With Why is a highly recommended read [8]. Ultimately, having a purpose and genuine passion are necessary to sustain the commitment and discipline required to effectively learn.
Learning Factors
Finally, there are many processes to consider that can either improve or hinder learning efficiency. Here are a few key ones.
Digital Dementia
A term addressed in Kwik’s Limitless, digital dementia has become a massive learning impediment [1]. Kwik cites research that shows that instantly obtained information is easily forgotten, likely because information is so readily accessible (think about that supercomputer that travels everywhere with you). As a result, people are losing the ability to think critically and actively recall information out of a lack of necessity. With less time spent thinking critically and creating information, our brain’s lose the ability to retain new information.
Think of your brain like a muscle: If you don’t use it, it will begin to break down. This is why it has said that cognitively demanding tasks are excellent to prevent neurodegenerative brain disorders such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s [9]. A significant body of research has connected learning new languages, instruments, and other critical thinking tasks with drastically improved brain health and performance [10-13]. For some amazing case studies, see Norman Doidge’s The Brain That Changes Itself [7].
'Forgetting Curve'
In 1885, Hermann Ebbinghaus produced the ‘Forgetting curve’ that demonstrated a rapid drop in information retention after a short period of time [14]. It was estimated that within an hour, humans will forget approximately 50% of what they just learned, with nearly 70% lost within a single day. In 2015, this study was replicated, indicating that the ‘forgetting curve’ is a real phenomenon that stunts human learning (15). In both the original and replicated studies, memorization was shown to increase with spaced repetition (reviewing material at gradually increasing intervals).
The Pomodoro Technique
Produced by Francesco Cirillo, The Pomodoro Technique identifies 25 minutes as the optimal time to before any learning activity [16]. After 25 minutes, information retention drops significantly, which drastically lowers learning efficiency. Therefore, after 25 minutes, it is recommended that you take a short break to allow the brain to reset. By doing so, learning may occur with optimized retention and efficiency.
Context
It has long been reported that the brain learns through association, a process referred to as classical conditioning [17]. This is how it works: a conditioned stimulus elicits a conditioned response [18]. So if you repeatedly learn French while listening to baroque music, the brain will naturally correlate the baroque music (the stimulus) with the learning of French (the response). Therefore, context matters. Stimulus can come in many forms: location, smells, tastes, sounds, memories, and/or emotions. In fact, Kwik notes that recalling specific sensations and emotions are capable of creating stronger memories [1].
Reading to Learn
Ever head that leaders are readers? Many of the world’s most successful leaders are known for reading around 50 books a year! Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffet, Barack Obama, and many others are known for making reading a top priority in their life [19]. Perhaps you should consider renaming your ‘Book Club’ to ‘Billionaires Club.’
But how can anyone possibly read that much? Here are a few tips. First, Jim Kwik trains people to become highly efficient speed readers, and is absolutely worth checking out (https://kwiklearning.com) [20]. In addition, look to become highly efficient with your time, seeking out opportunities to increase learning.
- During your commute (books, e-books, podcasts, or audiobooks).
- Trade TV for a book.
- Listen to Audiobooks or Podcasts while cooking, eating, working out, etc.
Further, apps like Blinkist and Readwise are terrific sources are condensed and accessible books and information [21, 22]. Check them out:
Tips for Optimized Learning
- Perform cognitively demanding tasks, such as learning languages or instruments
- Used spaced repetition when reviewing new material
- Take short breaks after 25 minutes of studying: Grab a snack, move around, or briefly meditate
- Learn by association: Use senses, environment, and emotion to strengthen memory
- Read. Read more. Read even more.
References
[1] Kwik, J. (2020). Limitless: Upgrade your brain, learn anything faster, and unlock your exceptional life. Carlsbad, California: Hay House, Inc.
[2] Azevedo, F. A., Carvalho, L. R., Grinberg, L. T., Farfel, J. M., Ferretti, R. E., Leite, R. E., Jacob Filho, W., Lent, R., & Herculano-Houzel, S. (2009). Equal numbers of neuronal and nonneuronal cells make the human brain an isometrically scaled-up primate brain. The Journal of comparative neurology, 513(5), 532–541. https://doi.org/10.1002/cne.21974
[3] Sapolsky, R. (2017). Behave: The biology of humans at our best and worst. New York, New York: Penguin Press.
[4] Feser, C. (2016). When execution isn’t enough: Decoding inspirational leadership. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
[5] Miller, E. K., & Cohen, J. D. (2001). An integrative theory of prefrontal cortex function. Annual review of neuroscience, 24, 167–202. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.neuro.24.1.167
[6] Dweck, C. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. New York: Random House.
[7] Doidge, N. (2007). The brain that changes itself: Stories of personal triumph from the frontiers of brain science. New York: Viking.
[8] Sinek, S. (2009). Start with Why: How great leaders inspire everyone to take action. New York: Portfolio.
[9] Antoniou, M., Gunasekera, G. M., & Wong, P. C. (2013). Foreign language training as cognitive therapy for age-related cognitive decline: a hypothesis for future research. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, 37(10 Pt 2), 2689–2698. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.09.004
[10] Klimova B. (2018). Learning a Foreign Language: A Review on Recent Findings About Its Effect on the Enhancement of Cognitive Functions Among Healthy Older Individuals. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 12, 305. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00305
[11]Shoghi Javan, S., & Ghonsooly, B. (2018). Learning a Foreign Language: A New Path to Enhancement of Cognitive Functions. Journal of psycholinguistic research, 47(1), 125–138. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10936-017-9518-7
[12] Shaffer J. (2016). Neuroplasticity and Clinical Practice: Building Brain Power for Health. Frontiers in psychology, 7, 1118. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01118
[13] Seinfeld, S., Figueroa, H., Ortiz-Gil, J., & Sanchez-Vives, M. V. (2013). Effects of music learning and piano practice on cognitive function, mood and quality of life in older adults. Frontiers in psychology, 4, 810. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00810
[14] Sonnad, N. (2018, February 28). “A mathematical model of the ‘Forgetting Curve’ proves learning is hard. Quartz. https://qz.com/1213768/the-forgetting-curve-explains-why-humans-struggle-to-memorize/
[15] Murre, J. M., & Dros, J. (2015). Replication and Analysis of Ebbinghaus’ Forgetting Curve. PloS one, 10(7), e0120644. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0120644
[16] The Pomodoro Technique. (2020. Francesco Cirillo. Retrieved November 20, 2020, from https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique
[17] Rehman I, Mahabadi N, Sanvictores T, et al. Classical Conditioning. [Updated 2020 Aug 27]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470326/
[18] Eelen P. (2018). Classical Conditioning: Classical Yet Modern. Psychologica Belgica, 58(1), 196–211. https://doi.org/10.5334/pb.451
[19] King, C. M. (2018, April 20). Bill Gates reads 50 books a year – Find out why. Blinkist Magazine. https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/most-ceos-read-60-books-per-year
[20] Kwik Learning. (2020). Kwik Learning. Retrieved November 20, 2020, from https://kwiklearning.com/
[21] Blinkist. (2020). Blinkist. Retrieved November 20, 2020, from https://www.blinkist.com/
[22] Readwise. (n.d.) Readwise. Retrieved November 20, 2020, from https://readwise.io/