Forget the 10,000 hour ruleâ what if itâs possible to learn the basics of any new skill in 20 hours or less?
Take a moment to consider how many things you want to learn to do. Whatâs on your list? Whatâs holding you back from getting started? Are you worried about the time and effort it takes to acquire new skillsâtime you donât have and effort you canât spare?
Research suggests it takes 10,000 hours to develop a new skill. In this nonstop world when will you ever find that much time and energy? To make matters worse, the early hours of pracÂticing something new are always the most frustrating. Thatâs why itâs difficult to learn how to speak a new language, play an instrument, hit a golf ball, or shoot great photos. Itâs so much easier to watch TV or surf the web . . .
In The First 20 Hours, Josh Kaufman offers a systematic approach to rapid skill acquisitionâ how to learn any new skill as quickly as possible. His method shows you how to deconstruct comÂplex skills, maximize productive practice, and remove common learning barriers. By completÂing just 20 hours of focused, deliberate practice youâll go from knowing absolutely nothing to performing noticeably well.
Kaufman personally field-tested the methÂods in this book. Youâll have a front row seat as he develops a personal yoga practice, writes his own web-based computer programs, teaches himself to touch type on a nonstandard keyÂboard, explores the oldest and most complex board game in history, picks up the ukulele, and learns how to windsurf. Here are a few of the simÂple techniques he teaches:Define your target performance level: FigÂure out what your desired level of skill looks like, what youâre trying to achieve, and what youâll be able to do when youâre done. The more specific, the better.Deconstruct the skill: Most of the things we think of as skills are actually bundles of smaller subskills. If you break down the subcompoÂnents, itâs easier to figure out which ones are most important and practice those first.Eliminate barriers to practice: Removing common distractions and unnecessary effort makes it much easier to sit down and focus on deliberate practice.Create fast feedback loops: Getting accuÂrate, real-time information about how well youâre performing during practice makes it much easier to improve.Whether you want to paint a portrait, launch a start-up, fly an airplane, or juggle flaming chainÂsaws, The First 20 Hours will help you pick up the basics of any skill in record time . . . and have more fun along the way.
Forget the 10,000 hour ruleâ what if itâs possible to learn the basics of any new skill in 20 hours or less?
Take a moment to consider how many things you want to learn to do. Whatâs on your list? Whatâs holding you back from getting started? Are you worried about the time and effort it takes to acquire new skillsâtime you donât have and effort you canât spare?
Research suggests it takes 10,000 hours to develop a new skill. In this nonstop world when will you ever find that much time and energy? To make matters worse, the early hours of pracÂticing something new are always the most frustrating. Thatâs why itâs difficult to learn how to speak a new language, play an instrument, hit a golf ball, or shoot great photos. Itâs so much easier to watch TV or surf the web . . .
In The First 20 Hours, Josh Kaufman offers a systematic approach to rapid skill acquisitionâ how to learn any new skill as quickly as possible. His method shows you how to deconstruct comÂplex skills, maximize productive practice, and remove common learning barriers. By completÂing just 20 hours of focused, deliberate practice youâll go from knowing absolutely nothing to performing noticeably well.
Kaufman personally field-tested the methÂods in this book. Youâll have a front row seat as he develops a personal yoga practice, writes his own web-based computer programs, teaches himself to touch type on a nonstandard keyÂboard, explores the oldest and most complex board game in history, picks up the ukulele, and learns how to windsurf. Here are a few of the simÂple techniques he teaches:Define your target performance level: FigÂure out what your desired level of skill looks like, what youâre trying to achieve, and what youâll be able to do when youâre done. The more specific, the better.Deconstruct the skill: Most of the things we think of as skills are actually bundles of smaller subskills. If you break down the subcompoÂnents, itâs easier to figure out which ones are most important and practice those first.Eliminate barriers to practice: Removing common distractions and unnecessary effort makes it much easier to sit down and focus on deliberate practice.Create fast feedback loops: Getting accuÂrate, real-time information about how well youâre performing during practice makes it much easier to improve.Whether you want to paint a portrait, launch a start-up, fly an airplane, or juggle flaming chainÂsaws, The First 20 Hours will help you pick up the basics of any skill in record time . . . and have more fun along the way.