Most of us have fallen into this trap. We’re so focused on learning a topic or honing a skill that we don’t touch previously learned information for weeks or months.

Web development is a classic example. There are many technologies and topics to learn, and most of us learn them sequentially. You focus on CSS for a while, then put it on hold to learn the intricacies of React. Or take problem-solving. You focus exclusively on problems that involve arrays. Then strings. Then hash tables.

There’s a problem with this approach. Soon comes the day when we need to apply knowledge that we learned a few weeks ago. And we can’t, at least not easily. We’ve forgotten what we’ve learned. We’ve lost our edge.

It doesn’t have to be this way. In part, the solution involves using Anki flashcards on a daily basis. It’s a topic I’ve written about before, and it’s a great way to keep information fresh and top of mind.

The other part of the solution is what I call the “weekly spot drill.” Once per week, work on a project or problem related to something you previously learned — and unrelated to what you’re currently learning about or working on.

If you’re learning JavaScript right now, solve a problem in Python. If you’re solving tons of problems that involve arrays, pick one that involves strings.

The weekly spot drill will keep your skills sharp — ensure that you’re ready, not rusty — and deepen your knowledge. That’s because you’ll uncover another layer each time you revisit a topic. Plus, this practice will teach you to pivot: to use the best tool to solve the problem, not necessarily the one you’re currently focused on.

An example from the game of baseball drives home the point.

#productivity #programming #learning #learn-to-program #coding #deep learning