The Help Desk

The key to repetition is its consistency. The best way to learn a new program or to increase your knowledge is to set aside 20 minutes every day (or at least every other day) for practice and experimentation. It is the commitment and discipline that makes the difference .. spaced repetition.

Choose a task to accomplish, then set about to learn it. Don't try to just follow a book from front to cover; it is better to master a task at a time. Have someone show you a new task, follow a book, or learn online. Then, make it a point to repeat the task within the next 24 hours and three more times during the following week. This spaced repetition will work miracles.

Here are a few more ideas for learning:

• Browse through some of the books and magazines available for learning. IDG Books "Teach Yourself Visually …" is one of my favorites. It is a series of books covering a vast array of topics. Each book emphasizes learning by using screen images instead of a lot of text.
• Consider a tutorial. I prefer tutorials that emphasize the words "hands on" and "interactive". Be cautious of any that claim to make you an expert in 24 hours … it's probably not going to happen. (Although anything is possible!)
• Find a mentor and trade skills. If you are an avid golfer, trade golf strokes for keystrokes, a seamstress can trade her needle for a keyboard, etc.