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Ask HN: How to deliberately practice life-long learning?

2 points by hotshot 12y ago

RollAHardSix 12y ago
Dedication and focused practice. I'm going to leave this here, several of the same principles can transfer. Purpose, living with intention and not living life running on auto-pilot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggYF7JeH1Tw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggYF7JeH1Tw
MalcolmDiggs 12y ago
For me, the biggest thing is just making time for it. If I don't schedule continuing-education into my week then it's not going to happen. If you're fortunate enough to have an employer that encourages this practice, (ask them if you're not sure) they may help you out with the costs of attending conferences, buying textbooks, taking classes, getting certified, etc. In theory, their return on investment should be quite high for this. But even if you're a freelancer (or work a job that doesn't promote life-long learning) there's still quite a bit you can do. My big 4 are: Meetups, conferences, whitepapers/articles/books, and the occasional class (either online or in person). Some of these cost money, others don't. But once you make them part of your normal routine, it'll feel like second nature. You'll look back with utter contempt on those days when your skillset stayed stagnant for months.
- hotshot 12y ago
  The advice is very beneficial.
- petervandijck 12y ago
  "Meetups, conferences, whitepapers/articles/books, and the occasional class (either online or in person)." -> those are all good, but none of those are what's technically known as deliberate practice.
  - MalcolmDiggs 12y ago
    I see your point, but I think it depends on what you are deliberately practicing. I would argue that if engaging in those activities regularly is what you want to be good at (if those activities are an end not just a means to an end), then simply making time for them and just doing it, would be deliberate practice.
ctseng01 12y ago
Try Coursera.org - the classes are of decent quality, even the free ones are really, really good. Make yourself do it. I only completed half of the classes I signed up, but that's better than nothing....

2 points by hotshot 12y ago

Dedication and focused practice. I'm going to leave this here, several of the same principles can transfer. Purpose, living with intention and not living life running on auto-pilot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggYF7JeH1Tw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggYF7JeH1Tw

MalcolmDiggs 12y ago

For me, the biggest thing is just making time for it. If I don't schedule continuing-education into my week then it's not going to happen. If you're fortunate enough to have an employer that encourages this practice, (ask them if you're not sure) they may help you out with the costs of attending conferences, buying textbooks, taking classes, getting certified, etc. In theory, their return on investment should be quite high for this. But even if you're a freelancer (or work a job that doesn't promote life-long learning) there's still quite a bit you can do. My big 4 are: Meetups, conferences, whitepapers/articles/books, and the occasional class (either online or in person). Some of these cost money, others don't. But once you make them part of your normal routine, it'll feel like second nature. You'll look back with utter contempt on those days when your skillset stayed stagnant for months.

hotshot 12y ago
The advice is very beneficial.
petervandijck 12y ago
"Meetups, conferences, whitepapers/articles/books, and the occasional class (either online or in person)." -> those are all good, but none of those are what's technically known as deliberate practice.
- MalcolmDiggs 12y ago
  I see your point, but I think it depends on what you are deliberately practicing. I would argue that if engaging in those activities regularly is what you want to be good at (if those activities are an end not just a means to an end), then simply making time for them and just doing it, would be deliberate practice.

ctseng01 12y ago

Try Coursera.org - the classes are of decent quality, even the free ones are really, really good. Make yourself do it. I only completed half of the classes I signed up, but that's better than nothing....