2-2-2 Model for Learning

Starting new passions with such zeal, but quitting midway? Let's break the cycle and make learning here to stay!

Often times when we are intrigued by a new topic, we make the mistake of deep diving into it without really understanding about it. It’s like paying for a year-long gym membership without every going to the gym - whether you go or not is really a hit or a miss. While learning something new this can look like paying for a really expensive course without ever trying something.

I came across this video  last week with an AMAZING framework for side projects, 2-2-2. I was wondering the same can hold true for learning something new as well! Here is how…

2️⃣ hours

Every time you are interested in a new topic, start by spending 2 hours learning more about it. Use Google, talk to a person, watch some videos, read an article, listen to a podcast - just try to spend 2 hours without getting distracted on this ‘shiny new’ thing.

  • If you don’t realise where the 2 hours go - great! Move on to the next step

  • If you’re waiting for the time to get over - give up early. Cut your losses, pick up something new to learn.

2️⃣ days

If you survive those 2 hours, spend 2 days on it. This could be a workshop, a small course, a book. Spend 2 days trying to learn more about it. 2 days is a good enough time to get a good overview about something.

  • If you still like this after these 2 days - you probably can spend more time on it

  • If you’re bored within these 2 days - quit now!

2️⃣+ weeks

After spending 2 hours and 2 days on this new paramour, you probably are ready to spend more time on this and ready to spend more than 2 weeks on this. Look for learning experiences that require a longer commitment.

  • After 2 weeks you’re still interested? This might be the stuff of dreams :)

  • If this doesn’t excite you in 2+ weeks - don’t let sunk cost fallacy kick in! You can still leave this - it will allow you to pick up something else that excites you

🛠️ Prototype your learning!

Just like all things - in learning as well fail fast but fail gloriously. Choose what you’re learning & be picky about it. Leave things that don’t excite you so that you can spend more time learning things that do.

To paraphrase a quote -

Not all learning needs to be epic novels. Some are short stories - but that doesn’t make them any less meaningful.

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