Ultralearning is a strategy.
It’s suited for certain situations and not others. Using a strategy is a choice, not a commandment.
Ultralearners usually work alone. They spend months and years without announcing their efforts.
9 Principles of Ultralearning
- Metalearning – First draw a map. Start by learning how to learn.
- Focus – Carve out chunks of time when you can cultivate concentration.
- Directness – Learn by doing.
- Drill – Improve your weakest points.
- Retrieval – Test yourself, push yourself to actively recall information.
- Feedback – Extract the essence from the noise.
- Retention – Understand what you forget and why.
- Intuition – Dig deep before building up. Understand how you understand.
- Experimentation – Explore outside your comfort zone.
Directness
If you can’t practice the exact skill you’re trying to learn (example: pilot, surgeon), practice something as close as possible (e.g. simulators).
Retrieval
Testing yourself – trying to retrieve information with the book closed – easily outperform repeating the material and drawing a concept map.
It’s a lot harder which is what makes it more effective.
Feedback
IF you want to become a better lover, try out new things, see how your partner responds.
If you want to become a better cook, hire a coach, expose yourself to as much feedback as possible.
Experimentation
Don’t expect to get it perfect the first time around. Get your hands dirty. Tweak along the way.