Learn a New Skill Faster by Fine-Tuning Your Practice Sessions
If you practice a lot, it doesn’t mean that you are better at learning a new skill. Scientists at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have found that one of the keys to mastering a skill quickly is to slightly change the way you practice the skill.
86 volunteers studied motor skills on a computer in 45 minutes. One group repeated the same workout for the second session, while the other group received a slightly modified second session. The third group, the control group, did not receive the second session. The next day, all three groups were asked to repeat the original task.
[Dr. Pablo A. Selnik, senior author of the study] says productivity gains, such as faster and more accurate task completion, nearly doubled among those in the second group who received an altered second session compared to those in the second group. … the first group to repeat the same task.
The greatest success was observed in those subjects who were able to quickly adapt to changing conditions. The participants in the third group who missed the second session performed about 25% worse than the participants in the first group.
Selnick says training changes should be small, like making small changes to the size or weight of a baseball bat, tennis racket, or soccer ball between workouts.
While this is especially true for the development of motor skills – such as playing an instrument or exercising – previous research also shows that deliberate practice is better than repetitive practice . So customize your path to mastery.
Want to learn a new skill? Faster? Change Your Practice | John Hopkins Medicine