Skip to main content

Two Life Hacks for Quick and Deliberate Learning

Life in the 21st century is fast and furious, mainly because information comes fast and is replaced by another piece of information in the blink of an eye. There are so many things to learn, but so little time to learn them.

Even if you're lazy, you can't help but learn something just by watching a video or viewing an ad. Being overwhelmed by all of the knowledge swirling around us can be considered normal now.

Deliberate Learning

Choosing the topic you want to learn at any given time is the best thing to do in this information maelstrom. We have limited energy for work and play and then we fall asleep. Instead of squandering the time passively learning things you don't necessarily want to learn, such as when you read memes or scroll through Facebook and inadvertently stumble on gossip, be deliberate in your learning habits.

Here are two life hacks I have developed as habits exactly for this purpose.

1. Keep At Least Three Books Around You for Passive Reading

You can put them near your bed, on your nightstand, or coffee table. These books should be curated well to represent the things that interest you most (for non-fiction) or your the genre you really love and never get tired of (for fiction books). Periodically change them or alternate them with your other books, but there should always be a few books nearby (at least 3!) in case your mind needs a "joyful information" fix.

Mine are currently the following:

ABCs of Handlettering by Abbey Sy
ABCs of Journaling by Abbey Sy
Harry Potter by JK Rowling
48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

The first two are my current artsy-fartsy interests. Harry Potter is my go-to YA fix. 48 Laws of Power is my go-to bran snack when I am feeling Machiavellian.

2. Bookmark a YouTube video on a new hobby that you've always wanted to try

Videos are easy to digest. Some would say they're better than reading materials. But there are so many videos around and so many influencer content to consume that information overload can happen even when you're just relaxing. Have one video on a topic you want, preferably something you have always wanted to try and watch a few minutes of it at a time when you're taking a break from work. Better yet, bookmark it so you can consume it in little bites whenever you like. 
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

5 Books That Make You Better at Getting Things Done

1. The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz This book says energy is more important than time. Weird, right? But it makes sense. The authors say we should work like athletes — focus hard for a bit, then take real breaks to rest and recharge. Instead of running on empty all week, you learn to build routines that give you energy, not drain it. Basically, it’s saying: stop acting like a robot and start acting like a human who takes naps. 2. Getting Things Done by David Allen If your brain feels like a messy desk full of sticky notes, this book is your cleaning guide. David Allen teaches you how to put every task, idea, or reminder somewhere safe — so your mind can finally relax. Once you’ve written everything down, you can actually focus on what’s in front of you instead of wondering what you forgot. It’s for people who want to feel calm, in control, and slightly smug about their tidy to-do lists. 3. The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker Peter Drucker is...
Read more

10 Benefits of Becoming a Board Topnotcher in the Philippines

Becoming a board topnotcher in the Philippines is a highly esteemed achievement that can have significant benefits for an individual's professional and personal life. These benefits span across various aspects, including career opportunities, personal growth, and societal impact. 10 Reasons Board Topnotchers are a Big Deal in the Philippines 1. Enhanced Career Opportunities : Achieving topnotcher status in board exams in the Philippines often opens doors to a plethora of career opportunities. Many employers, particularly in competitive fields such as engineering, accountancy, and law, view topnotchers as individuals with exceptional capabilities and a strong work ethic. As a result, topnotchers often receive job offers from prestigious firms, government agencies, and private corporations. Additionally, they are frequently offered higher starting salaries, leadership roles, and opportunities for advanced training and education. 2. Professional Recognition and Credibility : Topnotche...
Read more

Simple Way to Ask Library Users to Rate the Library Service

  Library users do not always share their thoughts on how the librarian or school can improve their library service. In fact, some won't ever, unless prompted. Soliciting their thoughts using a suggestion box is also not as good a strategy as it is predicted to be. After all, the blank piece of paper near the suggestion box doesn't really guide the user. I also noticed that users would only use the suggestion box if they have a complaint, but not if they just want to go about their business and leave.  There must be a more pro-active way to solicit users' opinion.  A simple solution would be to offer a short survey to measure how successfully users were able to complete some common activities in the library. This assessment uses the Likert scale, which is typically a five, seven, or nine-point agreement scale used to measure respondents' agreement with various statements. For example, the scale can range from "very unsuccessful" to "very successful."...
Read more

What Do People Remember About You? Make Your First Impression Count in a Job Interview!

When attending job interviews, we encounter countless faces and personalities. From chance meetings on the street to interactions in virtual communities, we leave an imprint on others. But here's the intriguing question: What exactly do they remember about us? The Unforgettable Impression    Imagine this - you strike up a conversation with a stranger while waiting in line for coffee on your way to your job interview. Or maybe you're engaging with people on the vast expanse of the internet through your blog or forum posts. In both scenarios, you're leaving behind a piece of yourself. Sure, not everyone will vividly recall your name or face a few hours later, but here's the kicker: they'll carry an impression of you, a snippet of who you are.    Think of it like this - you're an artist, and every interaction is a brushstroke on the canvas of someone's memory. The beauty is that you don't have full control over how others perceive you. You can't dictate...
Read more

Mastering the Art of Legible Handwriting: A Guide for Students and Adults

  In the digital age, the art of handwriting often takes a backseat. However, the importance of writing legibly cannot be overstated, especially for students and adults in various professional fields. Whether it's jotting down notes, signing documents, or sending a handwritten letter, clear and legible handwriting ensures effective communication. This guide focuses on handwriting improvement, emphasizing cursive writing and various handwriting exercises that can help you write more legibly. Understanding the Importance of Handwriting Improvement Handwriting is not just about aesthetics; it's a fundamental tool for learning, especially for students. Research shows that writing information by hand enhances memory retention and comprehension. For adults, legible handwriting in the workplace is a sign of professionalism and attention to detail. Therefore, investing time in handwriting improvement is essential for personal and professional development. Embracing Cursive Writing for ...
Read more