Is it better to learn fast or slow?

“Frustration is not a sign you are not learning, but ease is.”

With so many platforms offering learning content out there, it is easy to feel tempted and try to learn as much and fast as possible, especially about hot topics (are  there any crypto and NFT fans here?).

Moreover, I find a strong correlation between the plethora of learning options that we have nowadays and the feeling that is never enough. 

Influencers and gurus are not making it easier by posting unsupported learning hacks to become an “expert” in a subject after watching just a few minutes of their social media.

Have you ever felt the same?

However, sticking at the thing long enough to understand every little nuance of what you’re learning can generate an exponential gain associated with spreading things out over the long run. 

This might not fit in a startup where the fail-fast, learn-faster model is becoming more and more normal in order to keep up with the revenue generation model that can lead to more funding, which leads to higher valuations.

What I believe is that some things have to be learned fast, and others slow. I know the learning process is not binary and of course some skills require a level of intensity and others a more patient approach.

Scott H. Young proposes the following model in one of his articles and I find it very adaptable to many fields, whereas if you’re learning a new language, software or what is an NFT.

“1) When I’m starting out, I like to learn intensely. This builds competence and motivation quickly and pushes through frustration barriers.

2) Once I’ve reached an intermediate level, and beginner gains are harder to come by, I like to learn slowly. This is the stage I’m at with my languages and computer science knowledge.

3)After I’ve had an intense learning project, it’s good to follow it up immediately with patient habits. This attenuates problems with the spacing effect and keeps the knowledge at the surface.

4)When I know I can’t focus on a project with much effort, but it’s not frustrating to me, I start off with a slow approach.”

So, you think it is better to learn fast or slow?

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