Thread by Emilie Hartung 🚢
Thread
4 years ago, I started learning English from scratch.
Today, I write, read and speak it daily.
Here are 7 key lessons about mastering a new skill, quickly.
Today, I write, read and speak it daily.
Here are 7 key lessons about mastering a new skill, quickly.
#1. Get Specific
To reach any goal in life, you need to know where you are heading.
Be clear on that.
Mine was to speak English like a native speaker.
Minus the accent - I enjoy having an accent.
To reach any goal in life, you need to know where you are heading.
Be clear on that.
Mine was to speak English like a native speaker.
Minus the accent - I enjoy having an accent.
#2. Be Realistic
Choose a skill that you can actually do.
You are not going to become a NBA player if you are 70 years old or if you are 4ft tall.
Choose a skill that you can actually do.
You are not going to become a NBA player if you are 70 years old or if you are 4ft tall.
#3. Immerse Yourself
Live and breathe your new skill.
Want to learn about a specific subject? Buy 10 books about it and read them.
Want to play guitar? Buy a guitar and start practicing daily.
When I decided to learn English, I joined a volunteer program abroad.
Live and breathe your new skill.
Want to learn about a specific subject? Buy 10 books about it and read them.
Want to play guitar? Buy a guitar and start practicing daily.
When I decided to learn English, I joined a volunteer program abroad.
#4. Get SUPER Uncomfortable
Be willing to get uncomfortable and receive feedback.
Find ways to practice in public.
While abroad, I hosted weekly presentations about sharks in schools - in English.
I felt SO awkward, and I hated it.
But I did it.
Be willing to get uncomfortable and receive feedback.
Find ways to practice in public.
While abroad, I hosted weekly presentations about sharks in schools - in English.
I felt SO awkward, and I hated it.
But I did it.
#5. Plateau Is A Thing
I cannot tell you the number of times I've hit a plateau!
It's frustrating.
You just have to push forward.
Suddenly, you'll realize you are 10x further than you thought you were.
I cannot tell you the number of times I've hit a plateau!
It's frustrating.
You just have to push forward.
Suddenly, you'll realize you are 10x further than you thought you were.
#6. Never Stop Trying
Do something *daily* that'll bring you closer to your goal.
Even if it's small.
After I came back from my trip abroad, I started doing all of these things in English:
• Listening to podcasts
• Reading
• Journaling my thoughts
• Watching movies
Do something *daily* that'll bring you closer to your goal.
Even if it's small.
After I came back from my trip abroad, I started doing all of these things in English:
• Listening to podcasts
• Reading
• Journaling my thoughts
• Watching movies
#7. Question Everything
To keep evolving, you need to stay curious.
For example, if I'm wondering in which instance we say "that" or "this", I Google it.
To keep evolving, you need to stay curious.
For example, if I'm wondering in which instance we say "that" or "this", I Google it.
TL;DR - 7 key lessons about mastering a new skill, quickly
• Get specific
• Be realistic
• Immerse yourself
• Get SUPER uncomfortable
• Plateau is a thing
• Never stop trying
• Question everything
• Get specific
• Be realistic
• Immerse yourself
• Get SUPER uncomfortable
• Plateau is a thing
• Never stop trying
• Question everything
That's it for today - thanks for reading.
Follow me @emihartung for more on self-improvement, online writing & the creator economy.
Follow me @emihartung for more on self-improvement, online writing & the creator economy.