Gaining competency in a skill or knowledge of a subject matter. Improving one's abilities.
38
votes
15answers
1k views
Is blogging about what you learn useful?
Well, I have been starting habits of self studying (for the purpose of self improvement) and was making some progress (two months so far). However, one thing I'm not able to do well is blog about my ...
31
votes
17answers
3k views
what do you do when you are stuck at programming and you don't have access to internet?
This is a question most of us have faced while programming. Getting stuck! It might be a programmatic problem or tool problem, most of us eventually face it.
You know something is supposed to work ...
31
votes
13answers
2k views
How can I improve my memory?
How can I improve my memory so that I can remember more, faster... learn faster...?
I know some people are auditory learners, others visual... but once you figure out which one you are, how do you ...
22
votes
9answers
2k views
Nootropics (“learning” drugs)
So I noticed that there are no questions here about nootropics so I will ask a general question first. Where is the best resource to date to educate myself about the effects, benefits, and dangers of ...
19
votes
9answers
2k views
How to motivate people to self-improve themselves?
I'm the curious type of person that likes to learn more, do things in less time, do things better, etc. I take that as a personal challenge and I honestly love it. Of course, it IS a challenge, not ...
17
votes
12answers
2k views
What is the best way to improve English vocabulary?
I want to improve my English vocabulary. I want to know some of the best ways to improve my vocabulary.
How many words should I learn daily?
What resources should I use?
16
votes
11answers
755 views
Where should I store good advice?
I sometimes come across good advice like 11 Essential Habits for Success or How To Listen Effectively, and I can't use it immediately but I like it enough to want to keep it around.
However, if I ...
14
votes
11answers
690 views
How can I learn about complex subjects?
I am very interested in certain subjects which are quite complex (and not very mainstream), but I find it hard to learn about them since there seems not be a lot of introductory content about such ...
14
votes
11answers
2k views
Is it possible to learn foreign languages effectively by watching tv series?
Some people say that watching TV series can be very helpful in learning foreign languages.
However, I am skeptical about it as I think that this kind of activity is just too passive.
My biggest ...
12
votes
6answers
2k views
How to prevent/control daydreaming?
Daydreaming is becoming a serious issue for me as I miss valuable information in places such as classes, meetings and presentations. It doesn't depend on any specific element. In fact, it may be ...
11
votes
4answers
276 views
Forgetting of concepts
I have a problem which I am unable to tackle to the best of my efforts. Whenever I learn a concept (maths, computers physics), if I am required to solve a question on it immediately, I do it without ...
10
votes
5answers
245 views
How to stop misplacing things?
I have a big problem of forgetting where I have put things. I always seem to forget where, for example I left my papers, keys, etc.
Is there a way I can remember all the objects and where I have ...
10
votes
5answers
2k views
What is a learning attitude, and how can I improve mine?
What is a learning attitude, how do I determine whether I have one, and what can I do to cultivate it?
I have also noticed that during interviews, the interviewers ask questions to see if the ...
10
votes
4answers
621 views
Is there a task manager that incorporates spaced repetition learning?
I'm having students in mind, let's suppose that a student plans to prepare exam for next month.
According to the "forgetting curve", the key for successful study is spaced repetition learning.
Are ...
9
votes
3answers
473 views
How to quickly restore concentration?
Very often I'm being interpreted while working or studying, sometimes the interruptions are small, and take a minute and sometimes it requires more than few minutes.
How do I quickly restore ...
9
votes
4answers
261 views
One hour a day or 4 continuous hours a week for an activity?
Should I practice an activity, say drawing, programming, or even sport, in short day-sessions of one hour for example, or do it all at once in a week?
If I choose to do one hour a day, I might waste ...
9
votes
2answers
198 views
How do I introduce someone to Personal Productivity Improvements?
I've found the personal productivity methods and techniques I use (such as GTD and Inbox Zero) to be hugely helpful, but I've always struggled with good ways to introduce them to other people.
Some ...
9
votes
3answers
818 views
How to get rid of silly mistakes?
I've always been having some silly mistakes in homeworks/tests/exams etc, as well as programming. I very often seem to be 1-2 silly mistakes away from a perfect score, despite having done a draft and ...
8
votes
4answers
440 views
There's so much that I want to know. How to learn everything?
I am a programmer but this can apply to any field. There are many technologies that I want to know. So I start to read some book and then I jump to another book and so on. This makes me feel bad. Any ...
8
votes
4answers
419 views
How to effectively read and understand scientific literature?
If have read some other topics regarding this subject, but they were rather focused on the immediate understanding of a paper and not long-term knowledge of a topic.
Suppose I read a book about about ...
8
votes
7answers
363 views
What is the efficient way to remember things we read?
I read variety of things in a day; But I forgot those things in a week or so. I identified that 'spaced repetition' will help me to keep remembering things. To do spaced repetition, i take note of ...
8
votes
4answers
278 views
Optimised learning
I have a lot of computer learning to get through in the next 3 months. Given my current pace of learning and productivity system, I have no chance of succeeding.
The courses are similar to those ...
8
votes
2answers
3k views
How long does it take to learn Gregg shorthand?
If someone has never used Gregg shorthand before, how long does it take to learn the system? On average, how long would it take to be able to write it as quickly as normal longhand? A bit faster than ...
7
votes
4answers
606 views
How to focus on a long class?
I'm a college student who finds it very easy to be distracted. One important sentence missed means I'll have trouble understanding the rest of the class. Sometimes this can be solved by asking someone ...
7
votes
8answers
506 views
How to retain proficiency in foreign languages?
In elementary school I had learned the German language for six years, my skills were at an intermediate level, but then I started with English and I haven't learned German for nine years.
Now, my ...
7
votes
3answers
577 views
How to self study/learn?
Currently I treat self learning like college. I read books, take notes and test myself. However, I am not finding this effective, as whilst the motivation is there (love of the topic, wanting to ...
7
votes
2answers
345 views
How to discuss productivity (and lack thereof) with your boss?
I have recently graduated college and had a fairly dramatic change of lifestyle.
Being that there is never enough time in the day, I used to go to great lengths to minimize my responsibilities and ...
6
votes
1answer
188 views
How to find out in which subject you will be the most productive?
I seem to be somewhat blessed (or cursed) with the fact that there are multiple things that I can do reasonably well.
Because there are so many subjects I am interested in I am actually not really ...
6
votes
5answers
362 views
How to get over passive thinking
I need to get some advice on overcoming mental passivity. I have never had efficient study skills before (always managed to be average or above average by cramming), and now that I'm at a top 10 ...
6
votes
3answers
196 views
Which paper systems exist to crank through many vocabulary flashcards?
Anki, a computer based space repetition system is what I'm currently using to memorize words. I've also seen one or two paper based systems and think they might be a good complement to a computer ...
6
votes
3answers
263 views
How is self-learning different from course-based learning?
I have taken lots of classes where the professor was horrible at teaching and I literally had to become a "self learner". The professor recommended textbooks and there were frequent tests which kept ...
6
votes
1answer
425 views
Long term effect of learning speed reading
A few years ago I learned to speed read, but in recent years I'm using it less and less. Maybe because it didn't bring me what it promised: same or even better comprehension and speed.
Did you get ...
6
votes
2answers
217 views
How does positive or negative self-talk work?
Stephen Covey's book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People recommends the following exercise:
Say "I like myself" to yourself 50 times a day for at least 14 days.
I've tried it and contrary to ...
6
votes
4answers
969 views
Strategies for studying multiple subjects at the same time
If I want to study N different subjects what would be the best strategy to do this?
One extreme would be to take only one subject first and devote all of my free time to study it, then after I'm done ...
5
votes
4answers
196 views
How to prepare a course or a talk?
In one week from now I am holding a course in computer programming, which takes place twice a week. The course has 30 participants. It is the first time I am holding a course.
Now I have to prepare ...
5
votes
4answers
344 views
What computer skills are the most essential for beginners?
People come at me frequently asking questions about computers. It can be flattering at first but you know they are coming back with the most absurd questions because they don't know enough to figure ...
5
votes
4answers
194 views
Effectively converting stuff you read to actual results
I (& I'm sure many of others) go through a lot of trouble to read about improving productivity. This includes
Books (59 seconds, Seven Habits, GTD etc.),
Blogs (Pavlina, LifeHacker)
...
4
votes
5answers
2k views
What is the hidden secret in Think and Grow Rich (by Napoleon Hill)?
He mentions in the book that it is in every chapter and while inspired by it, I did not have a clear idea of one single secret after reading the book.
Did anyone discover a "secret", or is it ...
4
votes
4answers
241 views
What are the general steps to increase your IQ?
I believe that the engine that drives us forward is our IQ. Increasing it will result in a higher productivity rate so I'd like to know what are the general steps that will put a person on that path. ...
4
votes
2answers
309 views
How do I efficiently use my daily learning limit?
Is there an ideal amount of knowledge to be taken in on a daily basis? I've different kinds of conflicting information. From the list of ideas I've seen, which, if any, is most correct? Here are ...
4
votes
2answers
151 views
How to understand a word?
One of the major study tips are understanding what you learn. But when you learn a new word, how do you understand it without memorization?
4
votes
1answer
154 views
I have a mastermind group set up. Now what? What activities should we be doing while together?
I am interested in any ideas on interesting activities or discussions we could do/have while together. Also any tips on how to effectively run a mastermind group and ensure our members get the maximum ...
4
votes
1answer
196 views
How to set goals or milestones learning a new language?
When I make a project I use to divide it into several specific goals. And this use to work for me.
Now I'm learning a new language (English language) for my own.
I have some activities like:
Read ...
4
votes
2answers
117 views
Get the grasp of a big system of applications and skills
I work for the IT department of a big company with lots of applications. Usually my day starts managing custom apps, most of which I barely know, and fixing single problems on them. The problem is: ...
4
votes
1answer
165 views
Recollection of non-linear content
I just read Joshua Foer's book "Moon-walking with Einstein," and examined some relevant passages from Rhetorica Ad Herennium in hopes of being able to learn and remember faster.
One issue that these ...
3
votes
3answers
143 views
Learning the definition of a new word
Whenever I see a word that I haven't seen before, I make sure to look it up. How can I make sure that I remember it? I suppose one could use spaced repetition. What else could I try?
Related ...
3
votes
2answers
188 views
How do I maintain consistency when learning a new skill?
Sometimes, I find it difficult to maintain focus when learning new skills, especially when I'm just getting the hang of it. Most times, it's due to being distracted by learning another skill. How do I ...
3
votes
4answers
304 views
Grasping new things quickly or in less time
I am 4yrs experience software engineer. When a new requirement comes or when I move to another project, I take a long time to understand the process/flow. So become helpless to work on any development ...
3
votes
1answer
109 views
How do I study the books that don't have answers at the back?
There are several classical books on mathematics which are a pleasure to study from. However, after reading its materials and working through the theorems and solved problems, I feel very ...
3
votes
3answers
367 views
What's the most effective studying method?
I study at a high school/college and I'll soon have my exams period.
I was wondering what is the best way to study, given that I want to get the most use out of my time.
What should I pay attention ...
