HACKER Q&A
📣 rufugee

What are your favorite techniques for overcoming the “pain” of learning?


I've accomplished many things throughout my career, and yet I still find it very painful and overwhelming at times to learn new subjects. When I'm reading a book on a difficult subject, I have a nagging little voice which seems to say "you'll never retain this" or "is this finally the subject that's just too much for you?" and other little seeds of doubt.

This is just noise, and I've proven that to myself over the years, but it still affects me every...single...time.

Two questions for HN:

  1. What are your favorite methods of overcoming this doubt? 
  2. What books (or other resources) would you consider helpful in this regard?
Thanks very much in advance.

  👤 dmfdmf Accepted Answer ✓
Check out Dr. Andrew Huberman's podcast #1 on YT. "How Your Nervous System Works & Changes" He argues that feeling overwhelmed and the frustration of learning are necessary to activate the neuro-chemical processes needed to change our programming. Interpreting this emotional state as "doubt" is itself a mental program that can be changed when you realize that these neuro-chemical processess are necessary and normal. Also, get good sleep (which he covers too).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-XfCl-HpRM

👤 batch12
This happens with me when I don't really want to learn the subject to begin with. Sometimes I think I want to know about it-- when I get in I realize I only superficially want to understand the subject. In these cases, I either move onto something else, or try and satisfy that superficial understanding to scratch that itch. As I result, I find that I am more of a generalist than a specialist in a lot of things. This comes in handy for me, but I am in awe when I find someone who had the desire to really dig into a topic.

Edit: All in all, I think it has come down to me being honest with myself about what I want to learn and why. This helps me to have realistic expectations about learning some new things.