How To Learn Anything… Fast!

by Josh Kaufman, #1 bestselling business author

A practitioner’s guide to rapid skill acquisition. Accelerate your learning by deconstructing complex skills, practicing the most important elements first, and removing barriers to deliberate practice. What do you want to learn?

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FIRST 20 HOURS Extras - For Readers Only

Thanks for purchasing THE FIRST 20 HOURS! As a special thank you, I've put together some fun extra resources that will help you pick up new skills more quickly. Enjoy! - Josh Kaufman

The Story Behind The First 20 Hours

Here's a 20 minute presentation I gave at TEDxCSU about rapid skill acquisition, as well as how The First 20 Hours came to be...

Preview The First 20 Hours Now

While you're waiting for the book to arrive, here's a preview of The First 20 Hours, which contains my introductory notes, the full text of Chapter 1, and the Table of Contents. You'll learn about the "frustration barrier," what rapid skill acquisition looks like, and why it doesn't take anywhere close to 10,000 hours to become good at something.

Download a Preview of The First 20 Hours

Here's the preview in Audiobook format:

Get The First 20 Hours audiobook FREE when you try Audible OR Buy The First 20 Hours on Audible.com

Answers to Common Questions

Here are some common questions about how to use the rapid skill acquisition methods I discuss in The First 20 Hours. Click on the link below to hear/read the answer:

Quick-Reference Checklists and Worksheets

Here are a few printable PDF checklists and worksheets that will help you acquire your prime skill:

Illustrated Skill Acquisition Checklist

This checklist covers the 10 major principles of rapid skill acquisition in The First 20 Hours. These principles help you decide what and how to practice, as well as anticipate and eliminate barriers that can get in the way of deliberate practice.

Download the Illustrated Skill Acquisition Checklist (PDF)

Illustrated Effective Learning Checklist

This checklist covers the 10 major principles of effective learning in support of rapid skill acquisition. The focus is on finding relevant material to help you make better practice decisions without getting stuck in the research phase, as well as make your practice more efficient..

Download the Illustrated Effective Learning Checklist (PDF)

Skill Deconstruction Worksheet

This worksheet contains nine simple questions that will help you acquire your prime skill. Use it as a self-coaching tool: answer the questions in a notebook or similar capture device. If you don't know the answer to a question, finding out becomes your top priority.

Download the Skill Deconstruction Worksheet (PDF)

The First 20 Hours