The Art of Learning

Josh Waitzkin’ book “The Art of Learning”

As per the author, there is a complete process to learn any skills. Here I’m explaining the 6 main principles for learning anything. 

• Learning the macro from the micro

When we start to learn anything, we must start with Micro, and when we understand that micro then will also get understood by the Macro, meaning we will get to know the full theory. The author has used the same principle to learn chess. Where everyone uses all pieces at one time on the chessboard to practice and they get confused but the author first removes all pieces from the chessboard and puts only three pieces on it to practice. Because at the time of practice he covered all moves of all pieces one by one, and that was easy for them to concentrate and also get effective practices. In the same principle if we want to apply in our study then we can select one concept and clear all answers related to the concept. It will help us to learn the concepts clearly and fully. 

• Losing to Win. 

The author knew that he must lose to win. Therefore the author was challenging more chess masters in his childhood, and he learned new chess moves where his aged guys were not aware of it. The author says that every failure makes you emotional but this is the main part of your success. Most of the students regret giving mock tests. They decide to give tests after the completion of the syllabus but this is an excuse that they are afraid and they know that they will feel bad if they get fewer marks in the mock tests. But according to this principle, we must face this situation else we will not come out of our comfort zone, and we won’t improve ourselves. As per the author once you fail you must understand your mistakes as soon as possible and won’t repeat it. It is too easy to say that you recognize your mistake and do not repeat it, but in reality, it may take so many months to implement in our life. While doing every work we must check which Psychology or technical method we are using, and when we get to know the pattern of our mistakes, never stop before improving ourselves, either it may take months. 

• Expect and Prepare for a dirty plan. 

This principle says that you must always believe that something unfair is going to happen with you. To understand this principle author says that world-class chess opening pays dirty games so many times and they were doing it to torture the opposition emotionally so they won’t be able to plan their next chess moves. The author was getting too irritated and angry while it was happening at the beginning but then the author recognized that mistake is mine because I’m playing with fear. That was the reason the author planned to practice against dirty games and he started practicing with the top dirtiest players because he doesn’t want to be emotionally affected while playing important matches. End of the day his practice worked, while international matches his opponent try to disturb him but it was not affecting the author but the opponent gets nervous because his dirty plans are not affecting him. The author says that if we want to win any game we must consider all cheating and dirty practices are part of our game. 

• Have a Child's Sense of Freedom.

When an old woman starts to use the computer she will touch it with fear, but once you advise there won’t be any issue then she will feel free and operate the computer easily. We were never afraid to fail in our childhood, and our dreams would be so bigger that we believe we can achieve anything. As we grow up, we get to know new things, we see other people losing, and start thinking of their defeat as our own defeat. And with age, we make a fake self-image in our mind and we are afraid of taking risks. Being yourself as a child you will never be afraid to take risks or you will never be afraid for your failure, but you will learn from your failure.  

• Find the right partner who will help you to grow in your skills, 

This principle is not necessary to explain anymore because everyone knows that a good partner can be the main part of your success. We must select a partner who is already a master in our field and he is good to take us up to the field. These two main points will lead us to success. 

• Work on the area you are neglecting before you are forced to.

This principle says that we must work on our weaknesses before the world forces to. When the author was practicing martial arts he regretted focusing on his left hand, because his right hand was his dominant hand. But after getting injured in his right hand he realized the need to work on his left hand too. It is too important that we need to work on our all required skills. 

Thanks for Reading

Manu’s Notes by

Maneesh Vadukkumchery

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmoXpAUvR4M&t=595s

For Hindi Audio Books: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCurYxozQbvKn-oNUxNJh45Q