How to Learn Like Elon Musk

Hello!

Welcome to this Tuesday's 2 x 2 Newsletter!

Every week, I share insights from my exploration into the science and art of learning.

My aim is to offer you valuable ideas and tools that you can start using today to learn faster and better.
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2 Quotes on Learning:

• On learning and identity: “The stories we create to understand ourselves become the narratives of our lives, explaining the accidents and choices that have brought us where we are: what I’m good at, what I care about most, and where I’m headed.” — Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning​

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• “Learning is creation, not consumption. Knowledge is not something a learner absorbs, but something a learner creates." – Center for Accelerated Learning

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2 Thoughts From Me:

• When learning something new, it's usually best to start with the most basic building blocks, and progress from there. If you are learning a new language, you might focus on the 100 most commonly used words or characters. If you are studying for a physics test, you can break the material down into the most fundamental principles and laws. This first principles approach is a technique that Elon Musk uses to great effect—and it works super well for learning. You can build remarkable understanding by sticking to the basics.

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• How well you learn is a product of how well you handle confusion. If you're not confused at least some of the time, you're probably not learning.

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Until next week,
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Matthew Outerbridge
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P.S. We all drastically underestimate our ability to change. How can you be bolder with your learning goals?