On Accelerated Learning

I was listening to an interesting podcast from the Tim Ferriss Show and thought I’d share some techniques for meta-learning, or accelerated learning.  Tim is the author of the book, The 4-Hour Workweek (catchy title, right?) and has made a career deconstructing various aspects of life.  He’s the “simplest form possible” guy.

One of his undertakings was a TV show, called the Tim Ferriss Experiment, where he would attempt to learn complex skills and competencies in five days and would validate this by competing in that skill.  For example, he learned to play “rock band” level drums in five days and validated by performing at a stadium concert with the band.  He leaned rally car racing, languages, and Brazilian ju-jitsu…in five days.

In the podcast he listed the framework that he uses for accelerated learning with an acronym – DS3 (the “3” is for S-cubed).

D = Deconstruction: What are the minimal learnable units (blocks)?

S = Selection: Which 20% of the blocks should I focus on to achieve 80% or more of the outcomes I want?

S = Sequencing: In which order should I learn the blocks?

S = Stakes: How do I set up stakes to create real consequences & guarantee I follow the program?

He also described a secondary framework, with the acronym Ca.F.E. to further accelerate learning.

C = Compression: Can I encapsulate the essential 20% into an easily graspable 1-pager?

F = Frequency: How frequently should I practice?  What is the minimal effective dose or volume?

E = Encoding: How can I anchor the new material to what I already know for rapid recall?

I share this as a way to consider how we train ourselves and how we train others.  Do we have a “strategy” for learning new things, and do we have a “strategy” for teaching new things to others.

When coaching, are you breaking tasks into “blocks” that are learnable and identifying the critical 20%?  Are you considering the sequencing of what you teach and how that can impact the overall retention of the skill?  Are you providing “stakes” that will ensure real consequences & guarantee compliance?

Tim also suggests identifying an “expert” in the skill that you are learning and start by asking the right questions.  Asking the questions that will allow you to deconstruct the skill into learnable units (blocks).  Then asking the questions that will identify the critical 20%.  Then asking the questions that provide sequencing.

So I will also have you consider that deep learning may be less about listening, and more about questioning.  Where in our lives do we try to learn “passively” and how can we become more “active” learners?