3 Costly Mistakes You’re Making When Learning a New Skill (And How to Fix Them)
Tired of struggling to learn? These 3 game-changing lessons will help you break free from confusion, focus on the right resources, and apply what you learn effectively.
I was the only one who saw it happen no one could explain it better than I could.
My brain was a jumbled mess.
I had just finished reading a book on writing, but halfway through, everything got foggy. I wasn’t understanding it anymore. So I picked up another book - same topic, same struggle. The way it was explained was a complete disaster.
This happens every time I try to learn something new.
Especially on YouTube. I pull up a bunch of videos, hoping one will click, but I end up overwhelmed. My brain processes in waves. I see the information, but I can’t seem to grasp it.
Please tell me you’ve been here too.
The cycle finally ended when I figured out what I was doing wrong. These mistakes made learning way harder than it needed to be. Once I fixed them, everything changed. I could pick up new skills fast without going back and forth a million times.
Here’s what I was doing wrong. You might be making these mistakes too.
And once you fix them, you become unstoppable in your pursuit of growth.
Mistake 1: Assuming More Views = Better Learning
Whenever I searched on YouTube, I’d go for the video with the most views. But I realized that high views don’t guarantee quality; many viral videos prioritize entertainment over depth.
What I do instead: I check the comments for solid recommendations before investing my time. Once my research is solid, my learning flows smoothly.
Mistake 2: Consuming Too Many Resources at Once
I used to open multiple videos or download a bunch of books, thinking I needed to sift through them to find the best.
Until I realized that too many choices lead to paralysis, my brain got overwhelmed before learning even started. Jumping between videos prevented deep focus and structured learning.
Instead, I commit to one resource before seeking additional information.
Mistake 3: Consuming Without Applying
I used to watch videos or read books passively, thinking I was learning. However, I struggled to fully grasp concepts on the first pass.
Then, I started taking notes in my own words, summarizing key points, and immediately applying what I learned. That’s when learning became powerful. Knowledge without execution is wasted - your brain needs application to retain information.
Instead, take notes, summarize in your own words, and teach what you learn to solidify understanding.
Identifying these three mistakes turned me into a learning machine. Now, my curiosity fuels me, and I satisfy it with clarity and focus.
#Lifelong learning #Smarter not harder #Productive learning #Growth mindset #Learn etter #Success habits
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