How to learn something fast and well

Break the Idea Into Simple Steps
Divide the concept into small parts and simplify each one.
Your brain retains information better when it’s organized into clear, digestible chunks.
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci

Teach It to Someone Else
Explain the idea out loud as if you’re teaching a beginner—no notes, no reading, just your own words.
Teaching exposes what you truly understand and what you’re only pretending to know.
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” ~ Albert Einstein

Fill in the Gaps You Discover
Every time you struggle to explain something, revisit the source to fill that gap.
Targeted review strengthens the exact parts of the knowledge you were missing.
“Confusion is the first step toward understanding.” ~ Robert Fripp

Use Real Examples
Link the idea to something from your own life or experience.
Examples create neural connections that make the information easier to recall later.
“What we learn with pleasure we never forget.” ~ Alfred Mercier

Repeat the Explanation Tomorrow
Teach the idea again the next day without looking at your notes.
Spaced repetition locks information into long-term memory far more effectively than cramming.
“Repetition is the mother of learning.” ~ Latin Proverb

The Real Lesson
If you want to learn deeply—not just remember for a moment—teach what you’re learning. It clarifies your thinking, strengthens weak points, and makes real understanding impossible to avoid.