the three stages of skill acquisition ⚡️
"the comfort zone is a beautiful place but nothing ever grows there." - unknown
topic
✦ skill acquisition ✦
we often discuss the comfort zone and how people should actively step out of this to continue to grow. however, what is missing from this piece of advice is what those phases of learning look like.
we’re breaking down the three key phases for skill acquisition which will help you to understand what phase you’re in and what phase you should strive for.
- cognitive phase = intellectualising the task and discovering strategies to perform better and making mistakes
- associative phase = fewer errors and getting better
- autonomous stage = we’re in autopilot and the skill now requires less conscious effort
for all successful people, they tend to get out of autonomous and back into the early learning/cognitive phase to ensure they’re growing as frequently as possible.
it’s not possible to always remain in the cognitive phase because our mind and body need a break, but it’s about making a point to step out of your comfort zone more often than not; otherwise, your growth will stagnate.
tips
✦ how to acquire new skills ✦
identify the skills you want to learn
what are your areas of improvement and what skills can you learn to strengthen those areas? this will help to form a direction to head in.
deliberate practice
as previously discussed, you should practice with intention. understand what you’re aiming for, set out a block of time to learn, then seek feedback for further improvement.
mental rehearsal
the technique of mental rehearsal is extremely powerful. imagine yourself in a scenario where you’re using your newly acquired skills. this can be tied to all industries such as sports, music, and more.
question
✦ what learning phase are you currently in and how long have you been there? ✦
take a moment to think if you have progressed recently and if you want to acquire new skills in the future.
thoughts from others
"learning is not a product of schooling but the lifelong attempt of acquiring it." - einstein
"for things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them." - aristotle
