Learn Faster, Without Training

Learn Faster, Without Training

2 days ago, Andrew finally released his synthesis about the science of mental visualization. Here's the gist:

1) It improves performance. 2) It's not as good as real-world training. 3) It can't be done alone, It needs to be combined with real-world training. 4) It only works if you've already acquired the skill, i.e. you can't learn how to play guitar, but you can learn to improve at guitar.

So, use it to accelerate learning in things like your favorite sport, singing, math, typing faster, discipline, and more. During this email, just choose one thing you are trying to learn lately.

Now, look for a time of day you can do this. Passive activities like warming up, commuting, daydreaming, waiting, or useless meetings. We're doing this because visualization is a supplement to learning, not a replacement.

Now, let's discuss how you'll visualize. I will use basketball as an example.

1. Choose a sub-skill you want to work on. Ex. lay-ups.

2. Imagine yourself doing the sub skill step-by-step, repeatedly. Run with the ball, lay up, score, and then do that again and again.

3. After 10-20 seconds, stop, rest for another 20, and do the same thing again. That's one set.

4. Play around with speed and accuracy. So sometimes do it faster than usual, etc.

You may need to review this later, totally fine. When you're done, make sure you use the things you learned in your real-world training.

There are some more minor details: time of day doesn't matter, use the first person point of view, you can do it with eyes open or closed, getting good sleep is essential.

Anyway, I know this is somewhat overwhelming. I tried to fit the entire episode into this email.
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In summary: Visualization is meh compared to physical training, but it can still enhance performance if you do it the right way.

Imagine you're suddenly excellent at the skill/hobby without 10,000 hours extra practice. It's almost like you have a superpower, you're getting 100% of things right. At a speed no one has ever seen before. You're far beyond any of what your peers / previous self can do. They're impressed. You're doing amazing.

Can you imagine that happening? Cool, you just started your visualization, :) keep going!

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