“You Can't Change Mental Models Until You Change Mental Models .”

- Aidan McCullen

The Mental Model:

It has always seemed like a daunting task to have to learn new skills necessary to continue improving in business, when I first started writing newsletters and Googled, "how to write my first newsletters" I was presented with >>

Yikes! And we all run into this issue, but I found a way to significantly improve my ability to learn a new skill with this technique Called the Feynman technique. With this mental model I am able to consume an initial blog post about the subject I am trying to grasp, and use it to find the gaps in my knowledge.

Here's how it works.

The Feynman technique is a simple yet effective way to learn and understand complex subjects. The idea is to explain a concept to someone else in simple, layman's terms. By doing so, you're forced to confront any gaps in your understanding and figure out a way to articulate the concept clearly.

So, how does this apply to learning a new skill in business? Let's say you're trying to learn about writing a newsletter. You could read articles and books on the subject, attend workshops and seminars, or even hire a coach. But at some point, you need to put what you've learned into practice.

This is where the Feynman technique comes in. Instead of just consuming information, try to explain newsletter writing to someone else as if they have no prior knowledge of the subject. This might mean talking to a colleague, friend, or even a family member. The key is to use simple language and avoid technical jargon.

As you start to explain newsletter writing to your chosen audience, you'll quickly realize any areas where you don't fully understand the concept. This is your opportunity to go back and research those areas more thoroughly until you feel confident in your understanding.

Not only will the Feynman technique help you learn and retain new information, but it will also help you apply that knowledge in a practical way. By explaining a concept to someone else, you're forced to think about how you would actually use it in a real-world scenario.

So next time you're looking to learn a new skill in business, try using the Feynman technique. It might be the most effective way to understand the concept and apply it to your business.

The Business Tool:

I recently learned how to use Feedly, an RSS feed tool that allows you to sort through online sources and surfaces the information you need in an organized fashion. Rather than old Josh's way of a Google search with 1 million results, only the most important articles related to the fields and focuses I select (once) are shown to me. You may want to check it out and see if Feedly will help you easily digest information so you can use the Feynman technique to continue learning.

a Tweet Quoting Richard Feynman:

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