In this  episode of The Brainy Business podcast, host Melina Palmer welcomes Scott H. Young, the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Ultralearning and Get Better at Anything. Scott shares his extensive insights into learning, cognitive science, and the psychology behind mastering new skills. Known for his MIT Challenge and year-long language learning adventure, Scott discusses the importance of immersive learning, repetitive practice, and the role of feedback in achieving fluency and proficiency.

Scott delves into the fascinating world of how we learn and improve, emphasizing the significance of learning from others, the challenges of problem-solving, and the necessity of focused practice. He also touches on the concept of "desirable difficulties" and how they enhance long-term retention and skill mastery. This episode is a treasure trove for anyone looking to understand the mechanics of learning and how to apply these principles to get better at anything.

In this episode:

• Discover the key components of effective learning: See, Do, and Feedback.
• Understand the importance of repetitive practice and immersion in mastering new skills.
• Learn about the concept of "desirable difficulties" and how they improve long-term retention.
• Explore the role of feedback in learning and how to create environments that foster expertise.
• Gain insights into the psychological aspects of learning and overcoming common barriers.

00:00:00 - Introduction Melina introduces Scott and highlights his background and work in the field of learning and cognitive science.

00:03:30 - Scott's Background and Projects Scott shares his journey and notable projects, including the MIT Challenge and his year-long language-learning adventure.

00:11:20 - The Importance of Immersion Scott discusses the benefits of immersive learning and how it accelerates fluency and proficiency.

00:21:45 - Repetitive Practice and Fluency The conversation explores the role of repetitive practice in achieving fluency and the difference between fluency and overall proficiency.

00:31:10 - Desirable Difficulties Scott explains the concept of "desirable difficulties" and how they enhance learning and retention.

00:41:00 - The Role of Feedback The discussion highlights the importance of feedback in learning and how to create environments that foster expertise.

00:45:00 - Practical Tips for Learning Scott offers practical advice for applying these learning principles to various skills, including public speaking and business.

00:47:00 - Conclusion What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn.

Thanks for listening. Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show. 

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Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode:

• Good Habits, Bad Habits, by Wendy Wood
• Indistractable, by Nir Eyal
• How to Change, by Katy Milkman
• Get Better at Anything, by Scott H. Young
• Ultralearning, by Scott H. Young and James Clear

Top Recommended Next Episode: How to Set, Achieve and Exceed Brainy Goals (ep 70)

Already Heard That One? Try These: 

• Habits (ep 256)
• Status Quo Bias (ep 376)
• Katy Milkman Interview (ep 151)
• Tapping into the Power of Habit (ep 368)
• Wendy Wood Interview (ep 428)

Other Important Links: 

Brainy Bites - Melina’s LinkedIn Newsletter