I’ve written before about the importance of habits. By setting up consistent rituals of action, behavior becomes automatic. Automatic behavior means you don’t need nearly the same amount of self-discipline to finish projects as someone who works on them in a haphazard way. Habits are built on sameness. By making your triggers, schedule and internal […]
How to Focus
Sustaining focus is one of the hardest essentials when it comes to learning new things. Discover how you can practice and master focus.
Which Learning Methods Actually Work?
Here’s an interesting article on the effectiveness of various study techniques—and in particular—which ones have evidence supporting them. Some of my thoughts on the key findings: Self-Explanation and Reading Elaborative learning and self-explanation were found to be moderately effective. This is similar to the Feynman technique, but I’d argue the use of the method was […]
Catch-22s and Bootstrapping Your Life
Catch-22s are problems which have circular or paradoxical solutions. Named after Joseph Heller’s famous book by the same name, about a soldier who can avoid dangerous combat if he is insane (but applying for the provision is proof of sanity). Many situations in life are close to Catch-22s, problems by which the method of solution […]
I'm a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, podcast host, computer programmer and an avid reader. Since 2006, I've published weekly essays on this website to help people like you learn and think better. My work has been featured in The New York Times, BBC, TEDx, Pocket, Business Insider and more. I don't promise I have all the answers, just a place to start.