How to learn

 

This article is originally meant for interns and employees of Finwisor. But we sincerely believe it may be helpful to everyone, so we are putting it our here. This articles relates to learning of any and every kind. Learning is an attitude towards life more than a stage of life after all!

Levels of absorption

If you are to make a choice, what would you rather do. Give 5 hours and derive the benefit for 5 months. Or give 10 hours and derive the benefits for a lifetime? Of course the latter one. So let's dig into the layers of learning to understand how to consciously make the most of your time.

1.     Layer 1 learning

Superficial learning – parroting, hearing, listening, understanding (in increasing order of absorption) 

Spending time on such learning is actually a waste of your time. You will have the satisfaction of learning something, but you will not retain much of it for long. After some time, you will also not be able to apply much of it.

2.     Layer 2 learning – Contemplating, Reflecting, Course correcting

This is the level which leads to transformation in your current status. You will try to tally your learnings with your current life. You will make adjustments. You will draw deeper and longer lasting conclusions. You will develop strategies around it.

3.     Layer 3 learning – Change in the belief system, when applying it is natural

At this level, your learnings become your belief system. You see, you have an existing belief system which is deep rooted. Your by default nature is governed by your belief systems. Your reactions come out of your belief system. This is the foundation. Once you make changes here, they will by default start showing up in your actions.

What to do to improve learning

1.     Vinay (Humility)

Just like water flows from a higher plane to a lower place, by being respectful you place the knowledge and teacher at a higher level. So, knowledge will flow effortlessly to you.

Those who have a big ego/ are over smart, will learn far less than their own potential. If that someone is you, please eradicate that tendency. It will only harm you.

2.     Clear your mind before starting to learn

There is something called as attention residue. When you keep something unfinished, and start doing your next task. Or when you are multi tasking, your subconscious is still working on the last activity. By default, you will be distracted easily. You will be physically present but mentally absent.

I recommend to sit quietly for a few mins, and do nothing. Think nothing. Allow your mind to settle down. Meditate.

3.     Don’t focus on finishing. Focus on absorbing

When our minds set targets for the self, it usually ends up being like – completing xyz course, read xyz book, etc
Since our targets are at the level of doing, many a times quality of the activity is compromised. There are multiple layers of absorbtion for every learning experience as demonstrated above. Don’t focus on getting done with the course. You may complete it in fewer hours. But it will last only for a few months. Focus on learning in the way that it lasts a lifetime. By giving a little more time, if you are able to pick the essence for multiple more years, its definitely a winning proposition, isn’t it!?

4.     Be sincere

Sit with a pen and paper. Dutifully take notes. Do the exercises

5.     Be happy

A sad mind is saddled with a lot of burden. Creativity decreases. Productivity decreases. Negativity causes constant distractions. Complaining attitude may come to the fore.

The happier you are, the more loving you will be, more thankful. Your creativity will rise. Your productivity will rise. You will be default absorb much faster. You will get into fewer arguements. You will create fewer stressful situations for yourself. The benefits are endless. And they will all show up in your learning experience.

6.     Be disciplined

How should one eat? Some food daily, or eat food for 5-10 days at once and fast the other days?

How should one exercise? Some exercise daily, or lift 150kgs at once and then be on bed for the next 15 days?

These are of course rhetorical questions to bring out the importance of the way of learning. Doing little every day is far superior than doing 5 days work at once. Because doing 5 days learning at once will make all the learning superficial. You will just rush through it. You will fast forward much of the part. Skip excercises. And you will not retain it for long. Don’t waste your time like that. Please understand, doing fast is not saving time, it’s wasting your time!

7.     Sharing

Share what you learn here with as many people as you can. Giving is receiving. When you share your knowledge, it becomes that much deep-rooted in your head.

Sharing with compassion will by default also make you a happier person which will kickstart the virtuous cycle mentioned in point 5. above.

8. Apply the knowledge

It is always easier to remember, that which you have done, rather than that which you have heard. I personally remember the composting activity that we have done at school quite vividly. Many other things, not so much. 

So, we are giving you exercises that will directly help you to apply the learnings. Do it well.