The Secret Learning Hacks That Will Make You Smarter in Half the Time

A couple of years ago, I found myself sitting at my desk, surrounded by books, notes, and half-empty coffee mugs. I was trying to learn too many things at once, and nothing was sticking. I’d spend hours on one subject only to completely forget it a week later. Sound familiar?

Chunking and Interleaving

It wasn’t until I stumbled onto two concepts—chunking and interleaving—that I started learning smarter, not harder. What’s more, these aren’t just strategies for students or professionals; they can help anyone trying to juggle new information, whether it’s for work, personal growth, or a new hobby. Let me walk you through how I use these methods in my everyday life, with a few practical tips you can implement today.

What Is Chunking?

Chunking is like organizing a messy closet. Instead of trying to keep track of everything as individual items, you group similar things together. Your brain likes patterns and order, so it can process groups much better than one-off bits of information.

How I Use Chunking

1. Break It Down:

When I was learning about financial analysis, the sheer amount of material was overwhelming. So I broke it into chunks: basic formulas, case studies, and advanced strategies. I focused on mastering one chunk at a time before moving to the next.

2. Use Labels:

I create simple, memorable labels for each chunk. For instance, when studying negotiation strategies, I labeled them as “Prep,” “Dialogue,” and “Close.” This gave me a mental framework to recall later.

3. Make It Visual:

A while back, I started mind-mapping. It’s like creating a visual cheat sheet for your chunks. For a leadership course I took, I created categories like “communication,” “decision-making,” and “team-building” and wrote down sub-points under each.

Practical Tip:

Next time you’re overwhelmed, ask yourself: “How can I organize this into 3-5 groups?” If it feels manageable, your brain will agree.

What Is Interleaving?

Interleaving is about mixing it up. Instead of focusing on one thing at a time, you rotate between topics or skills. Think of it like circuit training at the gym: working on different muscle groups keeps you engaged and makes the workout more effective.

How I Use Interleaving

1. Rotating Tasks at Work:

At one point, I was deep into operations strategy and struggling to tie everything together. So, I started switching between reviewing vendor data, studying industry benchmarks, and preparing presentation slides in one session. The context-switching forced me to connect dots I hadn’t seen before.

2. Learning New Skills:

When I learned to cook (yes, I had to teach myself), I alternated between knife skills, baking, and sauces in one session. I’d chop for 15 minutes, then whisk a sauce, and then work on the dough. Each skill complemented the other, making everything click faster.

3. Practical Application:

If I’m preparing for a meeting, I don’t just read through the agenda in one go. I’ll spend 20 minutes reading, then switch to brainstorming questions, and finally, reviewing potential challenges. This keeps me sharp and fully engaged.

Practical Tip:

Mix two to three tasks or subjects in one session. For example, spend 30 minutes on one topic, then 20 minutes on another. It feels counterintuitive, but you’ll retain more.

How I Combine the Two

Here’s where things get fun: chunking and interleaving aren’t competing strategies—they work best together. For example, when I prepared for a big certification exam, I chunked all the material into five categories. Then, I interleaved my study sessions, alternating between chunks. On Monday, I’d cover Category 1 and 3. Tuesday, Categories 2 and 4. By the end of the week, I had touched on everything multiple times without feeling like I was drowning in monotony.

Why It Works

The science is simple: chunking reduces cognitive overload, and interleaving strengthens connections between ideas. Together, they trick your brain into thinking, “Hey, I know this stuff!”—and you actually do.

Practical Steps You Can Try Today

1. Audit Your Learning Style:

Ask yourself, “Am I cramming too much at once?” If yes, start chunking. If you feel bored or stuck, start interleaving.

2. Plan With Intention:

Use a notebook or digital planner to map out your chunks and how you’ll rotate between them. Even 15 minutes of planning can save hours of wasted effort.

3. Test Your Recall:

At the end of your day, see if you can recall what you learned in chunks. If you’re interleaving, test your ability to switch contexts without losing the thread.

4. Start Small:

Pick one area of your life to experiment with these strategies. For me, it was organizing my workday. For you, it could be learning a new skill or tackling a big project.

Here’s the thing: learning doesn’t have to be a grind. Chunking and interleaving make the process feel lighter, more organized, and—dare I say it—fun. You’ll stop feeling like you’re spinning your wheels and start making real progress. So go ahead, try it out. If it worked for me, I promise it can work for you too.

Let me know how it goes—I’d love to hear your story!

Puttering time

Puttering Time

Here’s the deal: success only comes before work in the dictionary. If you want to achieve something extraordinary, resilience must be your foundation, and hustle your greatest asset. Ignore the noise, focus on the grind, and aim higher—don’t just go to the club, own the club.

But here’s a deeper truth: most of the things we stress about don’t even matter. The real key to unlocking success? Learning to love yourself and becoming comfortable in your own skin.

When you reach that level of self-assurance, life slows down. You become more relaxed, more authentic—and authenticity is magnetic. It draws people, opportunities, and even capital toward you.

When you’re truly at peace with yourself, you’ll walk into a room and own it without saying a word. Everyone will want to talk to you, and success will naturally follow.

So, if I could give advice to my 18-year-old self, here’s what I’d say:

• It’s not just about being smart—be strategic.

• Don’t waste time, and don’t let anyone else waste it for you.

• Be true to yourself, and let the power of authenticity do the rest.

Success isn’t about luck—it’s about clarity, focus, and showing up for yourself every single day.

The Law of Reversed Effort

Relax: The Law of Reversed Effort

In today’s fast-paced, success-driven world, the notion that relentless effort guarantees rewards is deeply ingrained in our collective psyche. We are conditioned to believe that the harder we work, the greater the reward. However, an intriguing and paradoxical principle known as the Law of Reversed Effort challenges this belief, suggesting that, in many instances, less effort can actually yield more significant rewards.

Understanding the Law of Reversed Effort

The Law of Reversed Effort posits that excessive effort can be counterproductive, leading to diminished returns. This concept, often associated with Eastern philosophies and psychological theories, argues that relaxation and a state of ease can enhance performance and outcomes. The essence of this law is simple yet profound: striving too hard can create tension, anxiety, and resistance, whereas a relaxed approach can lead to greater success and satisfaction.

The Power of Relaxation

A vivid illustration of the Law of Reversed Effort can be found in the realm of elite sports. Observing top athletes, one might notice a common characteristic—they appear relaxed, smooth, and fluid in their movements. This relaxed demeanor is not a sign of lack of effort or commitment but rather a strategic approach to performance.

Usain Bolt: The Epitome of Relaxed Excellence

Usain Bolt, the legendary Jamaican sprinter, is a perfect embodiment of the Law of Reversed Effort. Known for his record-breaking performances and charismatic personality, Bolt’s approach to sprinting highlights the power of relaxation in achieving peak performance.

  1. Pre-Race Calmness: Before his races, Bolt is often seen joking, dancing, and interacting with the crowd. This pre-race routine is not mere showmanship; it helps him stay relaxed and keeps anxiety at bay. Bolt’s lighthearted demeanor allows him to approach the race with a calm mind, ready to perform at his best.
  2. Effortless Running Style: During his races, Bolt’s running style is characterized by smooth, fluid movements. Unlike many sprinters who appear tense and strained, Bolt’s relaxed stride and loose upper body contribute to his remarkable speed. This effortless style not only conserves energy but also minimizes the risk of injury.
  3. Mental Clarity and Focus: Bolt’s ability to stay relaxed under immense pressure enables him to maintain mental clarity and focus. This mental state is crucial for making split-second decisions during the race and responding to the competition.
  4. Training Philosophy: Bolt’s training regimen, under the guidance of coach Glen Mills, emphasizes the importance of relaxation and recovery. While intense training is a part of his routine, equal importance is given to rest and recovery, allowing his body to perform optimally when it matters most.

Applying the Law of Reversed Effort in Career and Profession

The principles demonstrated by elite athletes like Usain Bolt can be applied to various aspects of our lives, including our careers and professional endeavors. Here are a few ways to embrace the Law of Reversed Effort in a professional context:

  1. Mindfulness and Meditation: Incorporating mindfulness and meditation into your daily routine can help cultivate a relaxed and focused mind. This mental clarity can enhance productivity, creativity, and decision-making in the workplace.
  2. Balanced Work Approach: Striving for a balance between effort and relaxation can lead to more sustainable and rewarding professional outcomes. This might mean setting clear boundaries between work and personal time, ensuring you get adequate rest, and taking regular breaks to recharge.
  3. Trusting the Process: In the professional realm, trusting the process rather than forcing results can lead to more authentic and meaningful achievements. This approach reduces stress and fosters a healthier work environment.
  4. Quality Over Quantity: Prioritizing the quality of your work over the sheer quantity can lead to greater professional success. Focused, high-quality effort often yields better results than prolonged, strenuous exertion.
  5. Networking and Collaboration: Engaging in relaxed, genuine networking and collaborative efforts can open doors to new opportunities and foster stronger professional relationships. Approach interactions with a mindset of ease and authenticity rather than aggressive self-promotion.

The Law of Reversed Effort teaches us that sometimes, the key to achieving our highest potential lies in doing less, not more. By adopting a relaxed and fluid approach, much like elite athletes such as Usain Bolt, we can unlock greater rewards and enjoy a more balanced, fulfilling life and career. Embrace the paradox—less effort can indeed mean more reward. By integrating these principles into our professional lives, we can enhance our performance, reduce stress, and achieve more meaningful success.