# Mastering Learning Strategies from Highly Intelligent Individuals
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Understanding the Essence of Learning
Learning is a topic that garners much discussion, filled with various techniques, tools, and systems. While it's a captivating subject, much of the information can feel irrelevant if you're simply seeking to improve your own learning. Often, these details are tailored more toward educators or researchers rather than individual learners.
At its core, learning boils down to a simple concept: familiarity.
The Nature of Learning
After leaving school, many of us associate learning with exams, tedious exercises, and the occasional film. I jokingly refer to this as "The (H)ard Way," particularly with my French accent. In truth, the most profound understanding comes from repeated exposure to information. We become familiar with what we encounter frequently—sometimes intentionally, other times by chance.
In essence, to truly learn something, you must develop a sense of familiarity with it.
Emotional Connections Enhance Memorization
When it comes to getting to know someone, quizzing ourselves on their traits is far from effective. Instead, we engage through conversation, share stories, and create memories. Over time, we forge emotional bonds.
The individuals we connect with most deeply are often those we love or dislike intensely. Conversely, those we feel indifferent towards are easily forgotten. This principle extends beyond personal relationships—it applies to subjects like physics, history, website design, and even knitting.
Broad and Deep Knowledge
A key mantra for effective learning is to maintain both breadth and depth.
- Breadth refers to acquiring knowledge across various subjects.
- Depth involves delving deeper than surface-level facts.
Having one without the other is insufficient. If you only accumulate broad knowledge, you risk being average in everything. Conversely, being deeply knowledgeable in one area while lacking a broader understanding leaves you lost in unfamiliar territories.
Achieving expertise in several areas, along with a general knowledge of many fields, allows you to become adept at recognizing patterns. With extensive knowledge, you can form connections that facilitate further learning, effectively strengthening your cognitive abilities.
Valuing Knowledge
Many individuals mistakenly believe that memorizing trivial facts constitutes learning. However, the essence of learning lies in understanding concepts and principles.
For instance, knowing that 1789 is the year of the French Revolution means little if you lack context about the events and their significance. Effective learning revolves around grasping principles applicable across different fields.
Contextual Understanding
Some people tend to "spread their science" by delivering lectures that stray from the main point, often leading to frustration. If you've encountered such individuals, you may have found their intelligence questionable and chosen to avoid them in social situations.
Smart learners recognize that context is paramount. When acquiring knowledge, they focus on two aspects: principles and situations.
Understanding the principles in relation to a specific context is invaluable.
Key Takeaway: Learning is fundamentally about familiarity. You can enhance this process through emotional engagement, comprehensive knowledge, meaningful insights, and by considering context.
The first video titled "How to Enhance Performance & Learning by Applying a Growth Mindset" delves into the importance of adopting a growth mindset for improving learning and performance.
The second video, "Adopting a Growth Mindset | Kristen Harcourt," explores strategies to cultivate a growth mindset, enhancing one's ability to learn and adapt effectively.