Want to know how to become an expert in ANYTHING fast? Most people think it takes years of hard work and dedication to become an expert, but there are ways to speed up the process significantly. By applying a few simple strategies, you can master new subjects or skills quicker than you ever thought possible.
In this guide, we’ll break down the exact steps to rapidly learn and master anything. These methods are based on Scott Young’s system, which he used to learn computer science from MIT in a year. Whether you’re learning a new language, improving your coding skills, or acing your studies, these steps can help you get ahead of the game.
Pre-learning: Plan Before You Start
Before diving into learning, it’s essential to do some pre-learning, or as Scott Young puts it, preparation. Think of it like planning a long hike. You wouldn’t just take off without knowing your route, packing supplies, and figuring out what you might encounter along the way.
Learning is no different. You need a clear map for your journey—what you’re going to learn, in what order, and how you’ll approach it. This step helps you avoid wasting time on irrelevant information and keeps your study focused on what matters most.
Here’s how to do it:
- Research the topic: Find out what the key areas are, and what’s essential to master first. For example, in learning a new language, start with speaking before diving into grammar nuances.
- Identify prerequisites: Make sure you understand what foundational knowledge you’ll need. There’s no point trying to learn calculus if you don’t know basic algebra.
- Create a roadmap: Lay out the path from start to finish. Break down the subject into smaller chunks and organize them logically.
But, be careful. Pre-learning can easily turn into procrastination if you spend too much time planning and not enough time doing. Set a hard deadline to finish your research and jump into the actual work. A good rule is to spend no more than 10% of your time on planning before you start executing.
This preparation phase is what sets the foundation for efficient learning. Without it, you might be running in circles instead of progressing.
Focus: Eliminate Distractions
To become an expert in ANYTHING fast, mastering focus is crucial. Distractions—both external and internal—are your biggest enemy.
Remove External Distractions
Get rid of anything that pulls your attention. Phone, TV, noise—all these will slow you down. Create a distraction-free zone.
- Silent your phone or use “Do Not Disturb.”
- Work in a quiet, interruption-free space.
- Use time blocks to stay on task.
Tackle Internal Distractions
Your own thoughts can also derail your focus—stress, anxiety, perfectionism. A quick fix? Mindfulness. Practicing for even 10 minutes daily will improve your concentration.
Train Your Focus
Focus is a muscle. Start with 25 minutes of deep work, take a break, then increase as you go.
Directedness: Tailor Learning to Your Goals
Learning for the sake of learning won’t make you an expert. Directedness means aligning your study methods with the exact goals you’re aiming for.
Learn in Context
Focus on practicing in real-world scenarios. If you’re learning a language, spend time speaking it, not just memorizing vocabulary. For coding, build projects, don’t just read syntax.
Stay Close to Your Target
Study techniques should mirror what you’ll actually need to do. If you have an exam, practice writing essays. For a presentation, rehearse in front of people. Keep your study efforts as close as possible to the actual goal.
Avoid Passive Learning
Passively re-reading or watching content won’t help you much. Active, hands-on practice is key. Tailor your learning around real applications, so you’re prepared for the real challenges you’ll face.
Drilling: Fix Weaknesses
Mastering anything fast requires identifying and fixing your weaknesses through drilling.
Pinpoint Your Weak Spots
First, identify where you’re struggling. Maybe it’s vocabulary in a new language, or a certain concept in coding. Pinpointing your weakness is the first step to improvement.
Isolate and Drill
Once you’ve identified the weak point, focus on it. Spend dedicated time isolating this area and drilling it until it improves. For example, if you’re learning a language, drill vocabulary daily using flashcards or apps.
- Break the skill into small chunks.
- Spend focused time on the weakest area.
- Use repetition to solidify your understanding.
Return to Direct Practice
After drilling, jump back into direct practice. Apply what you’ve learned in real-world scenarios. This cycle of drilling and practicing will help you overcome bottlenecks and master the subject faster.
Mastering skills is all about this continuous loop—drill, practice, repeat.
Real Practice: Learn By Doing
The fastest way to become an expert in ANYTHING? Do the thing you’re trying to learn. No amount of theory beats real-world experience.
Stop Over-Studying
Instead of endlessly reading or watching tutorials, dive into practical work. For example:
- Learning a language? Start speaking it.
- Studying math? Solve real problems.
- Learning to code? Write actual code.
Apply Knowledge Directly
When learning, focus on how you’ll use it. If your goal is to pass an exam, mimic exam conditions. Want to have a conversation in a new language? Practice speaking with others.
Doing real tasks builds true expertise faster than just studying in isolation.
True Expertise: What It Looks Like
True expertise goes beyond just knowing facts. It’s when you can operate on autopilot in your field and still get things right. Imagine being able to look at a problem and instantly know the solution, or mastering a skill so well that it feels second nature.
You’ve probably seen this in geniuses—a mathematician who can glance at a problem and tell if it’s solvable, or a musician who instantly recognizes a composer by just a few notes.
This kind of mastery isn’t about overthinking. It’s about having absorbed so much information and experience that you can act without even realizing it. Your intuition becomes your biggest asset—allowing you to make bold, smart decisions in your field without hesitation.
The goal isn’t just to learn but to internalize. The more you drill and focus, the faster you’ll get to that point where expertise becomes effortless.
The Next Level: Intuition and Innovation
Once you’ve mastered the basics and drilled down on your weaknesses, you’ll reach a new stage—intuition. At this point, you won’t just know the facts—you’ll start thinking like an expert.
What Is Intuition?
Intuition is when your knowledge becomes so ingrained that your brain makes connections without conscious effort. It’s the ability to look at a problem and just know the solution.
You see this in top mathematicians or musicians—they can instantly spot patterns or errors because they’ve absorbed their subject so deeply.
How to Achieve It
To reach this level, you must keep practicing, but not mindlessly. Keep pushing your understanding. Ask deeper questions, challenge assumptions, and keep learning.
Once you hit this level, you’ll find yourself innovating. You’ll have the clarity and confidence to push boundaries and create new ideas in your field.
This is where true mastery begins. Keep training your brain to think at this deeper level, and you’ll unlock potential that goes beyond simple learning.
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