How to learn and master a new skill

A couple questions & answers on how I approach the process of learning. I'll try to do more of these if it's of value to anyone. These two questions today comes from Patreon: / lexfridman

[@lexfridman]

A couple questions & answers on how I approach the process of learning. I'll try to do more of these if it's of value to anyone.

[@nencobar]

Very valuable. Gonna commit to learn meditation 💪🏿

[@sarahbowman7566]

Always interesting and my level of intrigue for what pearls of wisdom will follow next is through the roof

[@rifleman42051]

Discipline + Consistency + Passion + Good Habits = Mastering Subjects and Life!!! Winners never quit and losers always quit!!!!

[@FatalFriction]

The timing of this video is great for me. Thanks! On this subject, do you have any previous videos on what is a good learning path for me to learn machine learning? I'm currently taking online courses and my interests are in visual GANs and I'd eventually like to be making AI that makes music.

[@CJ-111]

It's definitely if use, Lex

[@vedantraghuwanshi555]

"The way to remove motivation out of the picture is to build a habit" - Lex Fridman

[@NoMoreFunland]

Great quote!

[@neelpatel122]

Nice

[@shaycarter2602]

Yes.

[@gmont5082]

I didnt realize all the people in the comments were such masters of life! I apologize for those of us that didnt know motivation was like soo stupid and annoying and that we should just build habits... Duhh.

[@gmont5082]

@Masster Gunnz im calm.. Ur trying to win to feel good about urself and u dont get to win. I win cause im white and better...

[@patrikkarlsson9523]

The pursuit of habitness

[@aaronschulze1250]

Lol

[@chriskarapatakis6780]

Hahaha

[@HomebytheseaWA]

There's a bumper sticker

[@dexikid]

Lol is this in response to the comment above? Lol perfect

[@griotolu7040]

Lol. That's the path to excellence though

[@jacky7878]

Make it a habit - set a minimum amount each day - schedule it every day (minimum) 2hrs for a year or even less like 10minutes - discipline - grind it out even though you don't want to - struggle is a sign you're on the right path - see it as competition other people will give up

[@paddymuppy]

I've done this with alcohol 🍸

[@hungrygamer7717]

@@paddymuppy Nice

[@opaapa4180]

Holy shit that last part 😳

[@broski2702]

@@paddymuppy good ..

[@maggyfrog]

aren't we lucky that people like lex share their thoughts and passion online? this channel is very inspiring and goal-affirming.

[@synewparadigm]

Thank you. It's a very good observation.

[@maggyfrog]

"mastery is impossible" is an excellent reminder to just keep going and going and never ever stop. gotta remind myself this every single day.

[@noobiewatcherz9938]

i don't like "mastery is impossible" , i prefer "halfass the whole damn thing".

[@gustavobarboza2865]

Be one of a kind with your own set of skills 🤝

[@rohithdsouza8]

Some key notes: To Master something, Build a habit around that activity and make sure you do it everyday. At the initial stage, 2h/day for an year and after that ~20m/day for 5 years to get exceptionally good at it. But the key point is to do it everyday despite the fact that you might not feel like doing it and just grind through these days. Passion is volatile and it'll come in again and carry you through.

[@furkanedizkan7202]

Thank you for the inspiration, that really means a lot. I have been struggling in my classes until I saw your videos and how you and other very skilled people see the world, what they think about the future and now. That really inspired me to be better of myself, thank you.

[@codinginflow]

He forgot to mention deliberate practice. You can spend hours practicing everyday and get nowhere if the difficulty is too easy

[@Joseph-C]

Good point, I actually fell into this problem with guitar without realizing. Make sure to set difficult and achievable goals and deliberately move towards them

[@pontusmeier8585]

Very true, focus on doing the right things. The 10% that produce 90% of the result

[@nonka9198]

@@pontusmeier8585 aw😝😩😴😴😴😴😊😴😴

[@trst361]

What if you actually spend 1-2 hours a day with no goal, yet honestly show up. Then eventually you start on an outward spiral of curiosity/boredom that covers all bases that one could call mastery.

[@indoor_gangster]

@@pontusmeier8585 I would love to see you handle that one reversed 95% - 5% for an extended period, mr positive slogan you! ✌

[@krishnachavan1332]

"Struggle is a sign that you are on the right path"-Lex(I straight away write it down and put on my study table thanks 🙏)

[@ayem6948]

Thank you for this video. I found that one of the greatest obstacles of learning is the feeling that you’re no progressing fast enough. Listening to you explaining how long it takes to really learn something was refreshing and inspiring

[@TheWilliamHoganExperience]

Spot on Lex, Spot on. I've become proficient in many different domains in my life. These include becoming a licensed architect, college professor, armature racer, surfer, golfer, solo sailor, long distance cyclist, mixed martial artist, fine art photographer and musician. All of these began with passion and obsessional interest, followed by years of daily hard work and dedication to building the skills required for each. If you love something, learning about it and mastering the skills needed to do it is an absolute joy - so do what you LOVE. The rest will follow.

[@KPheeze]

Such a well spoken and humble guy. If only the world could be like this..

[@binary-me]

Love your channel, Lex. I was amazed to see all these amazing people you talk to. Very soon after listening I can see why they would love your company. Legend mate!

[@k0oLwHiP]

Whats great about this Lex, is that people like me can discover this at any point from the moment you uploaded this, and onward. I have lost that thing called passion with my guitar, and with me falling in love with working in the trade business. Thank you for the gentle reminder on how it can be done.

[@CandyMoney1000]

Keep doing what you are doing Lex. It's awesome to see a channel like yours grow!

[@amandaromero433]

I needed this today Lex, you're an inspiration to us all. I deeply appreciate everything you bring us. Hope your day is a good one.

[@RichardClementAugustus]

Beautiful! Thank you. I completely agree with this credo. I've been following my passion (juggling diabolo) for the last 21 years and I do 1 hour of practice every day. Although I'm not naturally gifted at it and I started practicing pretty late in life, the rewards that I get from the discipline of it are amazing over the long run. Sometimes it's tough to keep doing the practice, when you're not motivated, but it's now a strong habit. I've been coaching students for the last 20 years and keep talking about how important discipline and habit are. It's so great to hear someone else talking about this overlooked aspect of achieving long-lasting joy and happiness in life :) Thanks Lex!!

[@jillybean4899]

Thank you for another piece of great advice. I started playing bass at 50 years old and following something along these lines is right on.

[@anshuljain7464]

This is the first video I've watched from your channel... And I feel like I've learnt something very fundamental about living life... Thank you...🙏

[@meriembenkhalifa4949]

Yes , looking forward to hearing the full answer. Genuine and thoughtful as always

[@bradhernandez8841]

You're a great role model Lex. Keep up the great work my man

[@bobdinero1426]

Rolex.

[@arttorres439]

Thanks Lex! I appreciate you and your podcast so much. You and your podcast guests are always insightful and open doors to things I never could’ve imagined. As an engineering student it is sometimes difficult to navigate through college especially as a first generation student. Your podcast keeps me motivated and reminds me how the pursuit of knowledge is one worth while. Thanks again Lex, I wish you continued success!

[@robertsmithington8892]

Keep in mind, when your career/jobs revolve around learning, that becomes your life naturally. Lex is a great example of this. His learning of these different fields benefit his business/jobs. That can create a lot of motivation, realizing that both of these things benefit each other. Lex is part of the intelligentsia, (it’s not inherently good or bad), which means he gets paid to learn and teach. It’s kind of like an HVAC tech learning more about electricity, energy consumption, and business, then applying it. Knowledge and education is best when it benefits you just as much as others.

[@jordanl6620]

Hugely helpful video Lex. Discipline is the first word that comes to mind when I see you in a suit! Would love to see more of these short videos thanks!

[@yourbestfreind777]

Lex you are truly a gift to humanity. Thank you for everything you do. Keep up the great work

[@aldrigvila]

Dude Ive slept on you for way too long. Thank you so much for all that you do. You truly are a rolemodel and someone who continues to inspire me daily. Thank you.

[@Hyper484]

Passion will go up and down, that's when discipline comes into play. Bravo!!

[@pablocarmona7998]

Just to confirm Lex point, I'm an English learner, I'd been in an English academy for 1.5 years and I got my B2 level some months ago, I knew that I had to improve my listening skill because I wasn't good at it, so I started spending around 4h per day, pushing myself even if I wanted to just mess around. It took me up around 7 months to understand a native English speaker well, however, right now I know that I have to get better in my writing and speaking skill, but I know that day by day, step by step even If it is a small step, with discipline and passion I can achieve it, so guys keep in mind that hard work always pays off! Don't step back!

[@marcuse9011]

I am on the same path but different langauge :) C1 is all about understanding subtle differences. I am also amazed you understand everything here.

[@pablocarmona7998]

@@oscarinacan Thanks :)

[@aidanrupert404]

The forming of habits around a skill is one of the best things we can do to get better at something. Just 10 minutes a day on something everyday can be huge in improvement its great to hear someone as skillful as Lex put things into the context of forming habits.

[@meccis2]

I love this guy! Thanks for doing what you do for others! 👍💪

[@vasiligoyal7956]

Thank you Lex , your podcasts are very insightful and inspirational.

[@Beesmakelifegoo]

Thank you. You are showing us how to overcome inertness! I love your compassion and I am very fortunate to have encountered you when I watched a Joe Rohan. To undo a habit and create a new one, Is the key to developing discipline. As Peterson also teaches. You are changing our society. Happy holidays. Margo

[@simiangripcollective]

Great mind hack, Lex! Having retired recently, and looking for something to do to keep me from total boredom, I dusted off my old guitar and started playing again with the idea of maybe visiting skilled care facilities and playing for the elderly in a post covid world. One trick? I implemented to fuel my interest and dedication is that I purchased a three string cigar box guitar (a super nice one, solidly built electric). I play mostly in an open G turning (GDg), occasionally using a slide. I've found that the cigar box guitar tends to lead me back to my six string acoustic, learning the same songs on both instruments, cross training--if you will. There is a huge community of dedicated CBG enthusiast which has also helped fuel my interest in learning. I'm certainly not a master of either instrument, but I'm enjoying the journey, the learning experience. And, so far, I haven't been bored since I retired. Be safe. Be well. And thank you.

[@TheSSB007]

So eloquently explained! Listening to your podcasts motivates me everyday

[@musefirefox2420]

Definitely of value. Thanks Lex, your fans really appreciate these videos

[@dianasima8968]

Watching this was very important for me at this moment in my life :) Thank you, Lex!

[@VileHint]

Hey Lex, thanks for sharing. For a lot of people following you you are an example and an outstanding person who achieved a lot. So your life example is important

[@exokristian]

What a great base of knowledge you build and share! Thank you.

[@strahinjajelic869]

Thank You sir, You quickly became one of favorite people that I listen to! You always know what to say and how to say!

[@DefrostedNeanderthal]

You're an inspiration Lex, thank you.

[@thelittleworldfoodie]

Thank you Lex! This is a wonderful video for us to learn about you and you are definitely are an inspiration! Your podcasts made a difference in my life and I’m sure for others well - so thank you!

[@enzolopez4453]

I love this! I actually needed to watch this because of the skills I've been imagining to acquire.

[@Optiks1987]

Keep being you lex. I've heard you broach the subject of maintaining/building an audience and im sure you were just being humble but you already know the answer because you've done just that thus far. You are the perfect balance of wise and knowledgeable yet curious and open minded. Something I strive to be as well. Thank you for your content and I look forward to seeing how you progress!

[@mrsyed3432]

You're absolutely right. If we really stick with something for a long we'll get all the things from it sooner or later

[@ryanmillichap8327]

A lot of love for you and your podcast Lex, truly a diamond in the rough as far as humans go :D

[@shoaibmahmud5471]

Sir you are one of the most down to earth and hardworking person i have ever seen, your approch to life has chnaged my prepective . Thanks for all of the contribution to the earth.

[@honeylove5842]

This is so motivating as I’m following my passion as a painter . I’ve cried and felt like giving up and when I decide to push through it , magic happens and I’ve realized I did it . My painting doesn’t t look like shit .

[@wuschelbeutel]

Excellent lessons, Lex. I especially liked the point about embracing difficulties

[@Sam-md2cd]

The idea of grinding it out even when you don't want to do it resounds strongly with me!!! Thanks for the video.

[@RockerChair99]

I love watching your podcast and watching you speak so intelligently on various subjects and fields. The passion I see when you’re talking about programming and AI has inspired me to learn to code. I’m starting with python as many experts suggest. It’s actually waaay easier than I thought. I mean I’ve only just started so I know it should get more difficult, but I’m loving it so far. What stopped me from learning before was the bullshit outdated notion that you have to be mathematically / analytically inclined to succeed in such fields. I know better now. Thanks for inspiring me Lex.

[@ohlssonster]

Would love more on this topic- Incredibly inspiring. Keep rocking Lex

[@drstoneftw6084]

I get happy whenever I see lex fridman video . Period

[@jasonberezny9705]

Thanks Lex! Very useful advice. I appreciate your connection to music. Music and art has been a catalyst and anchor of positivity in my life for 47 years. I just turned 49. 🤘🖖👽🇨🇦

[@EdwardScape]

Lex, thank you. This is great, I have been on and off picking up Python and trying to learn it, maybe this time I’ll manage to stick to it.

[@corykeane]

Thanks for sharing, Lex! You da GOAT

[@TechMind33]

That look when you gave while saying "Not singing" is very powerful. Hey Lex I enjoy your podcast and your other works. Keep it going.

[@hopetolight]

Thank you for sharing your views and methods to making your vision a reality!

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Thanks Prof. Lex. God bless you.

[@erfan9166]

You just solve my biggest problem nowadays in the first 3 minutes of your video. Thank you

[@e75short14]

Thanks for sharing your wisdom Lex.

[@stevo-dx5rr]

"Strumming in a way that allows me to sing" - So relatable. After my son was born, and after 15 years of playing guitar and never really learning to sing while playing, I finally started trying in earnest. I've always had what I'd call a "focused" mindset, one in which I pay attention, more or less, to one thing at a time. As such, I've found singing while playing to be very challenging; it feels like some sort of mental gymnastics. The best advice I have is to learn the guitar part so well that you could play it in your sleep, and then add the lyrics. I've also found that practicing guitar on my acoustic while wandering around the house, trying to have conversations while playing, etc, also helps. After some months of practicing this every day, slowly improving, it's beginning to feel like I'm finally making some progress. At times, it almost feels as though I've unlocked another CPU core.

[@prakash_77]

Super useful and insightful! Thanks Lex for the wisdom.

[@Bluesky-xo1vu]

You are a fascinating human being Lex. I admire you. You are wise beyond your years.

[@brucemcgoveran8154]

You are wise beyond your years. Thank you for these insights.

[@DiabeticDawg]

I appreciate that Lex continues to ask and attempt to answer questions that are seemingly answerless. The questions that we may all sheepishly be curious about.

[@luisf7105]

Thank you, Lex! I needed to hear this today, as I'm trying to learn to code at 52, to make a career change due to a recent disability.👊🏽🙏🏽

[@jyotib47]

Thanks Lex. Every time I start to feel lazy, you appear like Yoda and straighten things out. This thanksgiving , thankful to have found you in black hole of you tube ❤️🙌🏼

[@bhoondiwilliams9955]

thanks Lex, you resonate with me on so many levels ... thanks for being you young man

[@dianedevery3711]

So humble, Lex. You are one out of the box 🌈❤️

[@Lili-fs6sq]

Lex, thank you for sharing with us kindly and candidly what you know, what you love and what you need to work on! I really enjoyed listening to you as a guest on many JRE podcasts. As someone who imigrated from Romania 16 years ago, I liked hearing that you are still connected to the place where you were born, still speak the language fluently and consciously step out of your comfort zone to think deeply about many issues that humans face / have faced and will face throughout our evolutionary history. I enjoyed listening to your podcast with Dan Carlin and all the really deep questions you were asking him! I didn't know Putin was very admired and respected when he first became president and that B Yeltsin chose him as his next successor, which was the first time in Russian history that has ever happened. I don't know much about Russian history, but I do know, from growing up in a deep communist country, that no matter how bad things get, idealistic young people ( true, brave-heart, bleeding-heart, woke people) are and will always be the ones to raise the alarm whenever there's injustice in the world! I'm greatful for and to them! I think there will always be wars to be fought because of the duality of human spirit. Even if, in the far away future, AI will be trained to recognize instigators, the beginning of chaos and quench those fires by removing the threat, disconnecting it from everyone and everything else, the seed of our human nature was implanted in us at the very beginning - we're made from chaos ( big bang? the stars, DNA mutations..etc) and nothing about human nature is calm and serene. Everything that brings us joy ( healthy bodies, sharp minds, giving and receiving love, helping someone/ something selflessly, listening to music made by human gods like Estas Tonne - The Song of the Golden Dragon, or Omar Bashir/ To my mother or by nature gods - like a breezy symphony in a meadow on a summer afternoon in Ouray, Colorado right after a thunderstorm) - is very valuable to us. We will always fight to protect these sources of joy....but i wouldn't want it any other way. La joie de vivre! I love this beautiful life! 🌺🕊️👣🌾🌼

[@mikoajkacki9443]

you are a role model Lex, thank you for inspiration! + I like this self-development kind of videos

[@chriskarapatakis8210]

Lex thank you for all your content. Your points of view, your path and the pick of guests gave me a lot of answers to break obstacles. Can you please make a video on how would you start over if u would start again a youtube channel or podcast? Lots of respect ! stay hard!

[@mohitnagarkoti4086]

Thankyou lex for making a positive difference in my life.

[@nickerokhin4288]

This will help a lot of people. Thank you Lex

[@kumanish75]

i love this guy's clarity

[@mattyartsy]

Thanks for inspiring me to get back on my disciplined path. Much love Lex.

[@JasonWrightArt]

I got an iOS app called Productive and one of the habits I put in there is practice guitar every day. At least half an hour. Seeing visually how many times I’ve done it helps a lot. I got the app trial then ended the subscription before trial and they offered it for 10 a year instead of 30. That guitar rust is falling off me, plus I’m back at the gym and recording more music. Good luck out there!

[@mohammadwahiduzzamankhan4397]

Your videos are really inspiring. Thanks for your valuable suggestion.

[@RestingRelaxation]

Amazing video. I learned a bit about myself through you. Thanks Lex, have a good day.

[@krzemian]

7:20 "I enjoy the pursuit of mastery of the art itself, not necessarily in comparison to others" (paraphrased). I can relate. Great vid, Lex, thank you!

[@andressuarez1]

Thanks Lex, video for the rest of the 2021... DO THE THING does not matter how hard it get, one must keep rolling.

[@SarahSmith-df7ny]

Love these types of videos. Thanks, Lex!!

[@martinwall8006]

Discipline leads to a meaningful life. Yes. Please enjoy your life Lex. You've EARNED it!

[@jane1891]

Inspiration! Thanks Lex! Since I’m all locked down anyway and my son lent me his fiddle to use, I think it’s time to throw myself back into music, again! Haven’t played since I was a kid but I’ve screwed around a bit and I still remember a lot. I just play by ear so that helps with remembering it, I think.

[@ancientkid1635]

THANKS FOR THIS IM HAVING A VERY TUFF TIME IN THE STOCKMARKET BUT IM VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT IT AND THIS HELPS ME ALOT . KEEP GRINDING !! STRUGGLE MEANS IM ON THE RIGHT PATH .

[@HughJazzDong]

You are one hell of a man! You have become a role model of mine and many.

[@AS-fu1kd]

Perfect video, I've been spending the last few weeks learning how to draw and I've been trying to do it for at least a bit everyday. Awesome video

[@Xanoxis]

I started the same in January. It works, even if I did it only for couple minutes on bad day. It's worth it!

[@potheadpilot]

You've fixed me, Lex. Thank you. Now I can move forward again 🙌

[@ccsconnor7705]

Lex, I saw this video this morning and it motivated me to pick up my tele and practice, finished learning Time and Us vs Them. Just 1 track left for dsotm thanks Lex

[@leoMorais2295]

Nice to watch this video! That's what I'm applying in my life nowdays! The results are amazing!

[@Rai0013.]

i am from india,i watch your all videos.and i loved it,thanks for making my life better.

[@TAZS]

Thank you Lex for the reminder, I'm going to try this next week!

[@deborahmeek6529]

Thanks Lex, this is good advice, I started learning French 1 year ago and I would do 2 or 3 hours a day if it, and I really enjoy it and I have a good foundation of knowing french

[@rikeshsilwal9125]

Loved your idea about habit. It's been a couple of months I have started learning Machine learning at least an hour a day. Hoping for the better results in the future.

[@blokechain]

Lex just served us Atomic habits in less than 10 minutes.

[@stopPlannedObsolescence]

Is a nice book btw

[@googleuser471]

@@stopPlannedObsolescence yup

[@cass964]

I really, really needed this! Thank you Lex, you ARE the game changer 😎

[@he_is_a_GOOBER_dont_disrespect]

Clearly humility is very important. You are a great thinker and so should we all strive to be

[@nurgazyseidaliev6129]

Lex is a gem among all other youtubers and I am happy to have discovered him. He is actually a role model for me since we have so much in common)

[@ShayBugarith]

Awesome pod. Always a fan.