Notes from book Beginners

Notes from Beginners

📖 Beginners

Introduction Source

• the drive to pick up new skills wanes in adulthood

Chapter 1: Life-long learning keeps your mind engaged, whatever your age. Source

• He challenged himself to learn a few completely new things
• Life-long learning keeps your mind engaged, whatever your age.
• procedural knowledge. It helps us actually do something: speak a language, play an instrument
• As we grow older, we tend to learn fewer and fewer procedural things
• society doesn’t expect children to be experts at anything
• continuing to learn new skills as you age is fantastic for your mental health

Chapter 2: Singing is a skill that can be learned with practice. Source

• hitting the right notes and carrying a melody is merely a matter of coordinating your muscles and breathing correctly
• most vocal lessons begin with exercises designed to help students reconsider their bodies
• you, too, want a voice that really resonates, you’ll have to give it your all.

Chapter 3: Developing new skills works best as a social practice. Source

• Developing new skills works best as a social practice.
• When people work together to harmonize and breathe in unison, their stress levels drop. And they also benefit from an increase in the production of oxytocin, a hormone connected to happiness. 
• Practicing in front of others, or in a group, can also boost your performance. Humans learn best by observing others and getting feedback.
• The increase in ability that comes from working in a group is called social facilitation.
• professional cyclists always achieved their best times when riding together with others

Chapter 4: Learning the basic rules is just the first step in a long journey. Source

• People start as novices and then progress through the stages. First, you’re an advanced beginner, then come competence, proficiency, and finally, expertise.
• novice, all you need to do is get the basic rules right.
• beginner, you must begin to use your new skills in the complex and messy real world. 
• people learning any new skill often become frustrated by their sudden lack of progress and give up early

Chapter 5: To master a skill, practice it until the movements become automatic. Source

• To master a skill, practice it until the movements become automatic.
• over-thinking can be a strong barrier to acquiring skills
• the best way to learn? The answer is, observing and doing. They are so much more beneficial than simply receiving instruction. 
• Watching someone else fulfill a task, and then trying it out for yourself, engages the brain in a special way
• muscle memory.

Chapter 6: Learning to draw is all about learning how to see the world with fresh eyes. Source

• Learning to draw is all about learning how to see the world with fresh eyes.
• novices often draw their idea of a face rather than how it actually looks
• They overemphasize features to which the human brain pays more attention.

Chapter 7: It’s never too late to try something new. Source

• As we age, it’s important to remain a beginner at something.

Chapter 8: Final summary Source

• However, there’s a certain value in learning something just because it brings you joy. Never feel guilty if you spend time on a hobby even if it’s not professional.

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