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)

Tedious, not at all inspiring or entertaining

I was disappointed by the lack of new insight on learning. However I must admit that the author is an excellent narrator.

Incredibly helpful!

Really enjoyed this audio book. Feel like I now have an actual way to approach skill acquisition instead of just floundering and giving up when it feels like I am not improving. Worth the listen/read!

What will you do today?

What will you do today? Is the last question in Kaufman's practical book.

My answer:
Use the 20 hour method on the coding course "Learn Node" by Wes Bos. I bet my software developer girl friend will be surprised by my results.

Ola "BatCatDad" Vea

Interesting

A bit too many examples of specific skills learned. a b c d e f g

What another great book from Josh Kaufman

This is the second book that I've listened to from Josh Kaufman. First I read The Personal MBA and was extremely satisfied with what I learned. Now l'm even more satisfied with listening to his experiences on learning how to acquire a rather difficult set of skills. In a short time period, or how ever long it takes you to make time. One of the best repeating themes I love from here is, "You can't find time, you make it." Great audiobook

Tellin' It Like It Is

I have followed Kaufman's blog for a while and been a fan of the Personal MBA since he wrote a controversial article about whether an MBA is a good investment. I've always appreciated his honesty and straight forward style. He is a nerd in the best sense of that term and he's put together a manuscript that provides a generalized template for rapid skill acquisition with several blueprints for skills he learned himself -- he is his own guinea pig! These blueprints could actually be useful for copying what he did and the template is sufficient for putting together your own unique plan to learn anything else. He delivers exactly what he promised and makes a potentially dry topic fascinating in the process. Well done!

Glad I ignored the bad review because yoga

It's not about yoga. The book is solid, enjoyed it and if you don't like the yoga walkthough of the technic, skip that chapter, the remaining examples run through his technique.

Good reference

The first part of the book where Kaufman talks about the principles of skill acquisition is the core of this book. After that, the chapters on his personal skill acquisition provides good examples of how it can be done, but it is not necessary to listen to them all. Kaufmann does an excellent job in narrating his own book with clear diction and a calm voice which makes it easily possible to listen to this book in double speed.

simple true formula to being more capable

this quick fun read may be the best learning available for self starting high achievers

Great strategy and interesting examples

The strategy to learn is really efficient. The author shares examples on how to apply it. Overall very interesting to listen. I will now work on applying the strategy myself.