The First 20 Hours

How to Learn Anything... Fast!

By: Josh Kaufman

Narrated by: Josh Kaufman

Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

"Learn anything... fast!"

Take a moment to consider how many things you want to learn to do. What's on your list? What's holding you back from getting started? Are you worried about the time and effort it takes to acquire new skills - time you don't have and effort you can't spare?

Research suggests it takes 10,000 hours to develop a new skill. In this nonstop world when will you ever find that much time and energy?

To make matters worse, the early hours of practicing something new are always the most frustrating. That's why it's difficult to learn how to speak a new language, play an instrument, hit a golf ball, or shoot great photos. It's so much easier to watch TV or surf the web...

In The First 20 Hours, Josh Kaufman offers a systematic approach to rapid skill acquisition: how to learn any new skill as quickly as possible. His method 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'll go from knowing absolutely nothing to performing noticeably well.

This method isn't theoretical: it's field-tested. Kaufman invites readers to join him as he field tests his approach by learning to program a Web application, play the ukulele, practice yoga, re-learn to touch type, get the hang of windsurfing, and study the world's oldest and most complex board game.

What do you want to learn?

Listen to The First 80 Minutes FREE from The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything . . . Fast!.

©2013 Worldly Wisdom Ventures LLC (P)2013 Worldly Wisdom Ventures LLC

Critic reviews

"As a father of three, practicing neurosurgeon, and global journalist, I don't have a lot of free time on my hands. The First 20 Hours is a practical guide to learning beyond our mid-20s, when our brains are fully developed. Josh's book will inspire you to pick up forgotten hobbies and chase elusive dreams." (Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent)

Nice guide

I can understand the negative reviews but the "filler" examples on the advice were quite interesting by themselves (as those were things I would have liked to learn mystelf) and so I did not find them a waste. The advice on programming and yoga were a bit too descriptive, however. Code samples are not ideal for an audible book and should have been summarised. The description of yoga postures also requires a picture or video and not ideal in an audio book.

Great information

Awsome information, and a great narrator. The information in this book will apply to everything that you do.

left feeling something promised was missing

The narrator, and author is very appealing. The idea is sound - that the 10,000 hours of practice is needed for world-class performance, but not for competence, personal satisfaction, and just good enough.

The narrator carefully points out those things that are necessary for success in a new venture - a lovable project, a plan, scheduling time for practice etc., but when he comes to give his examples, there is not the same follow-through. I finished this book feeling somehow abandoned by the author.

Very enjoyable book. His ideas sound so right.

I can see why some other people didn't like this book. But that does not matter, because I thought this was a great format.

The first three chapters covers methods for skill acquisition, and the remainder of the book are the authors experiences while using his system to acquire 6 new skills. I thought his 6 stories of skill acquisition were quite good.

Solution + Step by Step Examples - Perfect for me.

If you could sum up The First 20 Hours in three words, what would they be?

Made me Smarter

What was one of the most memorable moments of The First 20 Hours?

The web programming example walked through the steps, giving an exact account of what the solution would look like in practice. Not only that, the example is so detailed, with resources listed, that I want to re-listen and build a web based program myself.

What about Josh Kaufman’s performance did you like?

Josh's voice is easy to listen too, and he does a great job of translating sincerity in wanting to help anyone learn whatever they want to learn, fast. The willingness to so honestly and openly share his knowledge is admirable.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It is not a one sitting book. It not long though, and sections motivated me to get up and Practice what I want to Learn. Very motivational.

Any additional comments?

I shared this book with co-workers who are studying for project management certifications. Three of them, who reviewed the material, were impressed and are using the 'practice' concept for studying, rather than spending so much time on reading material. One successfully passed the exam, and the rest of us have our exams scheduled soon.

insightful knowledge on skill enhacement

Where does The First 20 Hours rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

in the top 10

What other book might you compare The First 20 Hours to and why?

Your Brain At Work because of the logic to discern the patterns of knowledge transfer

What about Josh Kaufman’s performance did you like?

concise and thorough

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

the 1st 20 practices

Any additional comments?

nope

A pretty good book if you’re not already a learning junkie

I really enjoyed about a third of the book. For those who are new to the idea of rapid skill acquisition versus traditional studying and learning, there is a lot here. However, if you’ve made a hobby out of teaching yourself new skills already, you won’t find too much, if anything new. This is the only reason I gave a three star overall rating. I’m already in that camp.

However, I do find Josh Kaufman, his stories, and his writing style very enjoyable. If you’ve been looking for a book to push you over the edge when it comes to finally tackling that new skill you’ve been wanting to learn, I would recommend it. If you’re already doing it, I suggest only choosing to read or listen to the chapters that you are actually interested in and moving onto another book.

Worth getting for if you have alot you want to do

If you could sum up The First 20 Hours in three words, what would they be?

Research Plan Practice

What did you like best about this story?

The multiple examples of how he used his method in different ways.

What three words best describe Josh Kaufman’s performance?

Good First Try

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No but it did make me think and rethink how I go about learning new things.

Any additional comments?

If your on the fence about getting the book check youtube for Josh Kaufman.

Insightful, but long winded.

I loved The Personal MBA, so I wanted to give Josh another go. In this book he provides a useful, yet simple to understand process to aide learning and retention.

With that said, this book could have been condensed greatly. It was beneficial to hear one, maybe two of his personal learning examples... Outside of that, it was a bit much for me personally. I wouldn't let it stop you from buying the book, nor would I rule out skipping a few of the later chapters if you feel like you grasp the concept.

a good listen with a very encouraging conclusion.

I enjoyed it thoroughly. the examples compliment the theory in a way I wish more authors could emulate.