Recently, I came across an article suggesting learning by reading, listening and watching a little daily as a habit that can boost my productivity. However, as I read further, I realized that the article was not talking about learning by doing but rather by consuming information from various sources. This made me wonder: is reading, listening and watching a little every day really the best way to learn? Let’s explore the difference between learning by doing and learning by consuming and why the former is more effective than the latter for learning and progressing.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of information and skills we need to learn to stay relevant and competitive. However, a simple and effective way to overcome this challenge is by doing a little every day.
Doing a little every day means applying what you learn in practice, whether it is writing, coding, painting, or any other skill you want to improve. By doing a little every day, you enjoy the following benefits:
- You improve your skills by getting better at what you do through repetition and refinement. For example, if you want to learn how to write better, you need to write a little every day and not just read books or articles about writing.
- You build your confidence by seeing your progress and overcoming challenges. For example, if you want to learn how to code, you need to code a little every day and not just watch tutorials or listen to podcasts about coding.
- You create a habit by making doing a part of your daily routine and not relying on motivation or willpower. For example, if you want to learn how to paint, you need to paint a little every day and not just look at pictures or videos of paintings.
- You get feedback by sharing your work with others and learning from their comments and suggestions. For example, if you want to learn how to sing, you need to sing a little every day and not just listen to music or watch the performances of singers.
Key takeaway: Doing a little every day helps you improve your skills, build your confidence, create a habit, and get feedback.
In contrast, reading, listening and watching a little every day means consuming information without actively engaging with it or applying it in practice. By reading, listening and watching a little every day, you can face the following limitations:
- You are passively absorbing information without questioning it or connecting it to your own experience. For example, if you want to learn about psychology, you need to do more than just read definitions or watch lectures on psychological concepts. You must apply them to real-life situations, conduct experiments, and reflect on your behaviour.
- You forget information you do not regularly use or review. Done any high school math lately? Do you still remember the formula for solving a quadratic equation?
- You lack context by missing the nuances and details that are not captured in the media you consume. For example, if you want to learn about culture, you need to do more than just read articles or watch documentaries about culture. You need to interact with people from different backgrounds and perspectives.
- You miss opportunities by limiting yourself to what is available or popular in the media you consume.
Key takeaway: Just reading, listening and watching a little every day makes you passive, forgetful and contextless.
Learning is a lifelong process that can enrich our lives and help us achieve our goals. However, not all learning methods are equally effective. Many people follow the common advice of reading, listening and watching a little every day to learn new things. While this can be useful, it is not enough to ensure deep and lasting learning.
Challenge yourself to do a little every day
Doing a little every day is not without its challenges. Some may argue that doing a little daily is too time-consuming or exhausting. However, these challenges can be overcome or mitigated by following some simple strategies:
- Balance theory and practice by combining reading, listening and watching with doing. For example, if you want to learn how to play an instrument, you can read about music theory, listen to music, and watch performances, but you also need to practice playing the instrument yourself.
- Find time to do it by scheduling it in your calendar, setting reminders, or joining a group or a community. For example, if you want to learn how to cook, you can find time to do it by planning your meals or joining a cooking class or a club.
- Avoid burnout by doing a little every day, not a lot. You can also vary your activities, take breaks, and please remember to reward yourself. For example, paint for a few minutes every day, not hours. You can also try different subjects, tools, and styles, take rest days, and celebrate your achievements.
Key takeaway: Doing a little every day can be balanced, time-efficient, and enjoyable.
Conclusion
By actively engaging with the material, you improve your memory, comprehension, and retention of the information. You also develop your skills, creativity, and confidence by applying what you learn to real-life situations. Whether you want to learn a new language, master a musical instrument, or explore a scientific topic, the key is to practice regularly and consistently. Don’t just consume content, create it. Don’t just watch others, join them. Don’t just dream, do.
