Why I’m Writing This
Three months ago, I decided to learn Python. Bought a coding course, bookmarked 47 tutorials, made a detailed study schedule with color-coded deadlines.
My code editor hasn’t been opened in weeks.
But here’s the weird part - last month I wanted to buy a car and somehow became an expert on everything about cars. Now I know more about engines, safety ratings, interior materials, dealer tricks, and financing scams than I ever wanted to.
Same brain. Completely different results.
If you’ve ever started learning something important and somehow ended up an expert on something completely random instead, this newsletter is for you.
The Thing Nobody Talks About
Learning isn’t about having perfect focus or iron discipline. That’s bullshit.
We can focus. We hyperfocus on random stuff for hours. We just can’t control when or what.
The real issue is our brains run on interest, not importance. Traditional learning methods assume you can just decide to care about something.
Good luck with that.
Your brain has an interest-based nervous system. You need novelty, urgency, or genuine curiosity to engage your learning mode.
Translation: boring = brain goes offline.
What Actually Works (From Someone Who’s Failed A Lot)
Here’s the thing - most learning advice tells you to “just focus” or “make a schedule.” That’s like telling someone to “just be taller.” Not helpful.
After years of failed attempts, I’ve figured out what actually works. These aren’t random tips - they’re based on how our brains actually function.
Step 1: Make It So Easy You Can’t Say No
The biggest mistake is starting too big. Your brain sees “study Python for 2 hours” and immediately starts looking for escape routes.
Instead, make your goal so small it feels stupid not to do it. “Open my code editor.” That’s it.
This works because of something psychologists call the Zeigarnik Effect - once you start something, your brain wants to finish it. But you have to actually start first.
Last week, I told myself I’d just “open the Python tutorial.” Three hours later, I’d built a basic calculator. The hard part isn’t learning - it’s starting.
How to do it:
- Week 1: Just show up (open book, watch 1 video, read 1 paragraph)
- Week 2: Add 5 more minutes
- Week 3: Add another 5 minutes
- Keep going until you find your sweet spot
Step 2: Follow Your Curiosity, Even When It Seems Random
Traditional education tells you to follow the curriculum in order. Chapter 1, then Chapter 2, then Chapter 3.
But your brain doesn’t work linearly. It makes connections in weird ways.
When I was learning about cars, I started with safety ratings because that’s what I cared about first. That led me to crash tests, which taught me about physics, which helped me understand engineering concepts I’d struggled with in school.
Dr. Barbara Oakley (author of “Learning How to Learn”) calls this “diffuse thinking” - your brain making unexpected connections when you let it wander.
How to do it:
- Notice what part of your subject actually interests you
- Go deep on that part first
- Connect it back to the boring stuff later
- Trust that your brain is making useful connections
Step 3: Find Your Focus Environment
Some people need dead silence. Others need chaos. Most advice assumes everyone’s the same.
I used to think I needed perfect quiet to focus. Turns out I focus better with instrumental music and something to fidget with. My friend does her best work with Netflix on in the background.
This isn’t laziness - it’s about cognitive load. Some brains need extra stimulation to stay engaged.
Test these:
- Background noise: silence, music, white noise, coffee shop sounds
- Location: desk, couch, standing, walking around
- Tools: fidget toys, gum, stress ball, drawing while listening
- Time: morning, afternoon, late night
How to do it:
- Try each combo for 3 study sessions
- Rate your focus 1-10
- Stick with what scores highest
Step 4: Borrow Someone Else’s Focus
This one sounds weird but works incredibly well. Study near other people who are also focused.
It’s called “body doubling” and it works because of mirror neurons - your brain literally mimics the focus of people around you.
How to do it:
- Find 3 places with other focused people
- Try each for a week
- Notice which one makes you naturally more focused
- Make it your default study spot
Step 5: Make It a Game
Duolingo didn’t become addictive by accident. They hired game designers who understand dopamine.
You can apply the same principles to anything. Points, streaks, levels, rewards - your brain loves this stuff.
But here’s the key: the rewards have to be immediate and something you actually want. Not “I’ll buy myself something nice next month.” More like “I’ll watch one TikTok after finishing this section.”
How to do it:
- Pick a simple way to track (checklist, app, calendar marks)
- Set small daily goals (not weekly or monthly)
- Choose rewards you actually want
- Track streaks but don’t reset to zero when you miss a day
The Real Talk Section
Your brain isn’t broken.
It’s not lazy, deficient, or “less than.” It’s optimized for a different kind of learning - one that follows curiosity instead of curriculum, and thrives on novelty instead of repetition.
Most learning advice assumes everyone’s brain works the same way. It doesn’t.
But once you figure out how YOUR brain actually works? You can learn anything. And probably faster than most people expect.
What Are You Actually Trying to Learn?
Seriously. Reply and tell me.
Not the thing you think you should be learning. Not the thing that would make you look smart. The thing you’re actually curious about right now.
I’ll read every response and write about the most interesting challenges in future newsletters.
Quick Update
I’ve been quiet for the past few weeks because I’ve been buried in creating stuff for you. Templates, widgets, tools - things that actually make learning easier instead of just talking about it.
I’m really excited to share what I’ve been working on. Keep an eye on your emails over the next few days.