How to learn faster

Learn faster by combining focused repetition, error correction, appropriately challenging practice, and mental rehearsal.

• 1. Metronome: Once you have some proficiency, set a metronome slightly faster than your current pace. The modest increase encourages more repetitions and errors to correct, supporting skill acquisition. 1
• 2. Error recognition: Make room during practice to notice your own mistakes without constant outside cues. Errors help direct attention and open the possibility for plasticity; repeat the skill so you can adjust and learn from them. 2
• 3. Mental rehearsal: After physical practice, close your eyes and mentally rehearse the movement. It can support learning and memory, but it supplements rather than replaces doing the skill. 3
• 4. Motivation and repetitions: Stay engaged through mistakes and keep practicing safely: repetitions—including imperfect attempts—are central to learning. 4
• 5. Match practice to the skill: Identify whether a movement is open-loop or closed-loop. In an open-loop action, feedback comes after the movement; in a closed-loop skill, you can use feedback to adjust while performing it. 5
• 6. Support plasticity: Practice with appropriate challenge and errors, and associate the effort of making mistakes with a worthwhile learning goal. Balance and vestibular-system engagement, along with a suitable level of arousal, are also discussed as factors that can help create conditions for plasticity. 6 7