ABSOLUTE ASCENDANCY

Commencing operation . . .

Overview

In the previous entry, I talked about diversifying your skill-set portfolio. Does this mean you should find a few things you want to learn and start working on them in tandem, or would it be more efficient to attain a level of mastery in one craft before moving onto the next?

I believe both approaches hold value depending on circumstance so that I will provide a breakdown for each one.

Focused Research

This approach works best when time constraints are in play, or if you have a priority on what you want to spend your time learning.

If you try and overload yourself, you will often find that a natural prioritisation will take place and subsequently, something or other will fall to the back-burner.

A focused approach leaves little room for distraction to pull you away from the task at hand.

Simultaneous Learning

This approach can be rather refreshing as it encourages you to switch from one thing to another, which can help prevent boredom from creeping in.

There is also evidence to suggest that cram learning is not as effective as spaced learning. That is to say, it can be more beneficial for memory retention to learn multiple things in smaller chunks spread out over time, rather than focusing on A, then B, then C etc.

Conclusion

As mentioned, I do not think there is a clear cut ultimate answer where one approach is superior to the other. It will come down to individual circumstance and needs to determine which is best suited. A focused approach is best for a big project with time constraints, whereas simultaneous learning is great to keep things fresh.  

Mission complete – Overlord Drakow signing out.