The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything . . . Fast!

by Josh Kaufman

Overview

What if it’s possible to learn the basics of any new skill in 20 hours or less?
Research suggests it takes 10,000 hours to master a new skill, and the earliest hours are always the most frustrating. That’s why it’s so difficult to learn a new language, play an instrument, hit a golf ball, or shoot great photos.

Josh Kaufman offers a better way. His systematic approach to rapid skill acquisition shows you how to deconstruct complex skills, maximize productive practice, and remove common learning barriers. By completing just 20 hours of focused, deliberate practice you can pick up the basics in record time… and

have more fun along the way.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781591846949
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	05/27/2014
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	377,341
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

JOSH KAUFMAN helps people make more money, get more done, and have more fun. His first book, The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business, is an international bestseller. He lives in Colorado.
 

Table of Contents

A Note to the Reader ix

1 A Portrait of the Author as a Learning Junkie 1

2 Ten Principles of Rapid Skill Acquisition 14

3 Ten Principles of Effective Learning 28

4 Yoga 40

5 Programming 70

6 Touch Typing 131

7 Go 157

8 Ukulele 212

9 Windsurfing 232

Afterword 257

Acknowledgments 259

Notes 261

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Lots of books promise to change your life. This one actually will.”
—Seth Godin, author of The Icarus Deception

Editorial Reviews

A blockbuster in the making, The First 20 Hours breaks down the learning process into simple and effective steps with real-life examples that inspire. After reading this book, you’ll be ready to take on any number of skills and make progress on that big project you’ve been putting off for years.”
—CHRIS GUILLEBEAU, author of The $100 Startup
 
“If you’re like me, you’ll get so inspired that you’ll stop reading to apply this approach to your own procrastinated project. After reading the first five chapters, I tried Josh’s technique to learn a new programming language, and I’m blown away with how fast I became fluent.”
—DEREK SIVERS, founder, CD Baby, sivers.org
 
“Great opportunities are worthless without skills. No more excuses! Kaufman proves that we all have the capacity to become experts.”
—SCOTT BELSKY, founder, Behance, and author of Making Ideas Happen
 
“With the amount of information and change in the world today, the person who can adapt and learn the most quickly will be the most successful. Kaufman breaks down the science of learning in useful, entertaining, and fascinating ways. If you care about keeping your job, your business, or your edge, this book is for you.”
—PAMELA SLIM, author of Escape from Cubicle Nation
 
“In this inspiring little book, Josh argues that you can get good enough at anything to enjoy yourself in just 20 hours. In other words, all that’s standing between you and playing the ukulele is your TV time for the next two weeks. If Josh, a busy father and entrepreneur, can make the time, then the rest of us can too.”
—LAURA VANDERKAM, author of 168 Hours and What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast
 
“Lots of books promise to change your life. This one actually will.”
—SETH GODIN, author of The Icarus Deception

From the Publisher