Today we learn from Jim Kwik on how to learn faster, like a superhero, by unlocking the
potential of your brain
Jim Kwik is an expert in the field of learning and memory, and finding methods for effective
and efficient learning.
As a child Jim had to struggle and face challenges in the field he'd go onto to becoming an expert
in.
At 5 years old, while at school, he fell off a chair onto his head.
This accident had an effect on his brain, which lead to developmental and learning difficulties
that extended to struggling with difficulties with social skills and shyness.
Through the years, Jim spent countless hours trying to keep up with other kids in his class
as he found it took him longer process and understand information than it did other kids.
For example, he didn't learn to read until years after most others, despite spending
time every night learning by reading his beloved comics when he was meant to be asleep.
For this reason he came to be known at school as "the boy with a broken brain".
As he grew older, in his teens he continued to study and worked himself to exhaustion
which lead him to collapse, and wake up two days later in the hospital.
It was at this time he finally came to realise there had to be ways in which he could overcome
his circumstance, after seeing a quote by Albert Einstein saying "We can't solve problems
by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them".
At this moment Jim Kwik started working on developing methodologies for learning and
remembering in more efficient ways, influenced by the comics he read as a child, notably
the X-Men, which has lead him building a hugely successful career where he has met hugely
influential people such as Bill Gates and Bill Clinton.
Now at this point if you're enjoying this video please let me know with a like, please
subscribe with the bell to ensure YouTube notifies you of the latest uploads and share
this with others who may benefit from the techniques discussed.
So how did he learn fast?
Well, that's precisely where we begin, the word FAST, which is an acronym for Jim's four
step process to learning faster.
1.
F is to FORGET
The first step to learning faster is to forget what you think you already know.
This means to forget what you already know about the subject, as a lot of people learn
slowly because they feel like they already know the information.
Such behaviour is restrictive, as believing you already know information when trying to
learn leads you to have a less open mind.
As Jim says, your mind is like a parachute; it only works when it’s open.
Therefore, it's important to approach learning with a beginners mindset, be a sponge to absorb
information, ideas and a new way of thinking.
Next you need to forget about anything that’s not urgent and important.
The key here is focus, to have your mind on the task at hand and don't let yourself be
distracted.
By doing so you don't try to multitask and don't have distractions to hamper your education.
Finally, forget your beliefs and limitations.
This might be to believe that your memory isn’t good, or that you’re a slow reader,
or you don’t have the right education to learn.
We are what we believe we are.
If you place limitations on yourself then you will consciously or subconsciously hold
yourself back when trying to learn.
You are restricted to what you believe though, as anyone can learn information and skills
if they choose to do so.
Some might be naturally more talented in certain areas than others, but that's not the same
as having the ability to learn.
Think of it from an athletic viewpoint.
There are people who are naturally more athletic and muscular than others, but everyone has
the ability to exercise and grow their muscle if they wish to do so.
The brain is like a muscle, if you push the brain and don't hold yourself back, you can
and will grow as a result.
2.
A is for ACTIVE.
You will struggle to learn and memorise in a passive manner, as we're creatures of learning
through experience and habit.
This is because our brain naturally learns and processes information when it can relate
information to experiences.
It's how we've developed as a species, developing memory of past experiences and learning from
them to reach where we are today.
In school, we are taught to learn by consuming information quietly, but you rarely, if ever,
learn by being lectured to.
You learn by creating information and being active in the process.
Even if you learn by listening, it's likely you'll forget what you learned within around
48 hours if you don't actively put into practice what you learnt.
Jim says "learning is NOT a spectator sport" and he couldn't be more correct.
Just like exercise, you have to take action and actually do the work to grow.
So, how can you be more active in your learning?
There are multiple methods you can use.
To name just a few:
Ask questions Take notes
Try to do practical exercises to help relate theory to real world examples
The key is to actively take part in learning as by doing so, you'll be significantly more
likely to retain information from experience than you would just by learning theory.
3.
S is for STATE Your state is a snapshot of your mood, the
mood of your mind and your body.
It’s the emotional well-being that you feel in that exact moment.
We often see Tony Robbins speaking about controlling your state to help you perform at your peak,
and Jim says precisely the same.
If you can associate information with emotional feeling, it will become a long-term memory.
Think about your personal experiences and lessons you learnt, you'll often find that
those which are most powerful are those which have vivid and powerful emotions attached.
An obvious example here is in relationships where our experiences, positive and especially
negative, lead us to behavioural changes in future relationships, as we learn from the
experience and how we felt in that moment.
Many of us don’t remember what we learned in school because the umbrella emotion for
most people in school was boredom, we weren't actively engaged in classes that were forced
upon us and most classes we would partake in weren't of personal interest to us.
Yet what if we can take control and put ourselves in a state where we are engaged and build
positive associations to learning?
Well, we can!
You can do things to control your state.
The key is understanding how to set yourself in a state that's positive and engaging.
For example, change your posture, your body or breathing.
Sit or stand the way you would if you were totally energized.
Think about how you’ll benefit from the information, so to associate positive emotions
with the process.
For example, if you're learning about human biology, you can then relate that back to
how you can use what you learn to your benefit.
For example, how you might be able to achieve the body you wish for through exercise and
diet, or what you can do for certain issues you might be dealing with, for example eczema.
Through this, you become more engaged and learn to enjoy the process of learning.
4.
T is for TEACH
Learn something with the intention of teaching it to fully gain the benefits of learning
and engaging in it.
By placing this responsibility on yourself, you'll find you're more engaged with the learning
process and will actively get more involved in learning.
If you had to give a presentation on what you’re learning today, you would learn it
differently.
You would pay closer attention and take more detailed notes.
You would probably ask better questions too.
Likewise, if you do go onto teaching others what you learn, you will equally memorise
what you learn as you cover the material multiple times, and are pushed into a situation of
applying what you learn to help others learn.
There's a negative saying that people often say "that those who can’t do teach".
Jim sees this in a positive light, as he reframes it as if he can’t do something, he can teach
it, and then will be able to do it.
Use this FAST method to learn quickly, but also effectively, just like Jim Kwik, the
man who went from "the boy with a broken brain" to the man who learnt like a superhero!
So what are you looking to learn in your life?
Let me know in the comments section.
If you enjoyed this video please let me know with a like, please subscribe with the bell
to ensure YouTube notifies you of the latest uploads and share this with others who may
benefit from the techniques discussed.