I have been watching a very interesting TED talk where it is explained how to acquire quick knowledge about a new skill.
When we feel with the attitude to learn new things, the main disadvantage is the time it requires...
It seems we need 10000 hours to learn a new skill what it is indeed quite A LOT. HOWEVER these 10000 hours are the ones needed to reach the top of the competitive level (to become an expert), and this is not the time we are looking for. We want to know the time to acquire the skill and become good enough at it.
The following graph shows 3 things:
1. When you start, you are a dumb for a while as you do not have any idea. Take it easy!
2. With a little of practice, you can be good very quick.
3. At a certain point become better and improve takes more time (expert level).
But we are interested in the time we need to be good enough (red arrows on the graph).
Surprisingly, that time is 20 hours of focus delivery practice, this means 45 minutes a day for less than one month. It is not so much, isn´t it?
Basically, these are the 4 steps to rapid skill acquisition:
Deconstruct the skill. Divide the skill into smaller pieces. Practice first the important ones.
Learn sufficiently to self-correct. Use books, DVDs, courses... Take them to learn just ENOUGH that you can practice and know when you are making a mistake.
Remove practice barriers. You should be really focused during those 45 minutes of practice, so get rid of any distraction: TV, radio, people around...
Practice at least 20 hours.
If you have time, you can listen the talk in this link. It just takes 20 minutes.
By the way, taking notes is the best way to remember things that's why I took these notes during the talk. Keep them with you next time you want to learn something!