“Those who did not get the treasure, do not believe that it exists.”I have a friend who for the last three years has been telling me that he wants to learn how to play the guitar. He’s enrolled for guitar classes so many times, he hires a personal coach but then somehow after first few sessions he loses steam, every single time. However, he never fails to tell others that he wants to learn the instrument.I have another friend who learnt how to play guitar in flat 60 days. What is the difference between these two people? They start at the same point, but end up at a different destination every time they pick up a skill. Which category of people do you belong to — one who is a quick learner or one who always finds it difficult to learn new things?Want to learn a skill? Follow the formulaI have dedicated the last 15 years of my life to observing the things that make the difference. It does not matter which new skill you want to master — a new language, a form of dance, photography, musical instrument, coding, problem solving, long-distance running, writing, or public speaking —there exists a step-by-step formula that can accelerate your learning. After observing and reading about a lot of high achievers, I can confidently tell you that they all follow the same formula. Try these seven steps of skill mastery and see the difference in your learning ability.1. The rule of 50: The first 50 hours are very important in mastering any skill. It is the time your brain is forming new neural connections, and the period is often marked with impatience and irritation. Never give up on a skill unless you have invested at least 50 hours in it, after which you will begin to feel certain. Think of a skill you never mastered, chances are high that you gave up during the first 50 hours.2. Watch your words: Quick learners never use words like “difficult, tough, challenging or impossible”. The words or phrases you use to describe a skill, defines the experience you have while mastering the skill. Never use the phrases like “I can’t”, “I do not understand”, and “It’s not my cup of tea”. If you think you cannot learn something, you will prove your thinking right. Your mind needs assurance before it begins helping you in mastering a skill.3. Chunk it down: How can you eat an elephant? The answer is one piece at a time. The answer might have annoyed you if you are an animal lover, but I hope you got the message.Any skill you want to master, you must first chunk it down into small milestones. Do not start with a 5-minute song on a guitar; instead, try strumming a 30-second tune on it. Do not try to run a marathon, start with a 100m walk. The initial success you get by conquering these milestones will give you the confidence to carry on when things don’t work out the first time around.4. Model the master: You will learn more by observing other people who are already skilful than you can learn by reading a tutorial. Take coaching from someone and meet the people who already know what you want to learn — engagement is key to keeping your interest alive as well. Be attentive and never miss an opportunity to ask questions. Chances are high they faced the same road blocks that you are facing. One trick shared by them can take your skill to the next level.5. Make it a ritual: Repetition is important when learning something new, and repetition/practising at the same time every day further augments your chances of mastering the skill. Allocate a particular time of your day — ideally 20-30 minutes every day — and call it your learning hour. Never underestimate the power of rituals and daily disciplines. You will not even know when you leave the crowd behind and emerge as a winner if you follow your rituals seriously.6. Visualise each step: Start with end in mind. Give your mind a picture to complete. Emotionalise yourself about the outcome of the leaning process. Visualise yourself as a skilful person who happily applies the skill you have mastered. It has been scientifically proven that people who combine visualisation with physical repetition, master a skill faster than people who merely rely on mechanical repetitions.7. Keep testing yourself: What gets measured, gets accomplished. Look for opportunities that require you to showcase your skills. Join an amateur group related to your skill if you feel you are still not ready to be a part of a professional group. Group learning gives you motivation and an opportunity to identify your shortcomings. Once you attain a certain comfort level, start participating in competitions. People who participate always win — sometimes a trophy and sometimes a lesson.Life is short — master the skills that matter to youThe more skills you have, the more you are valued in the market place. People pay you for the skills you possess. People who possess multiple skills feel confident about being able to handle any situation they may face. It is a great confidence booster. Fear is often an emotion you experience because you lack a skill. A doctor is not afraid to conduct a surgery, a dancer never shies away from the dance floor, and a public speaker never gets cramps in his or her stomach when they are called up on stage.Time will go by, so, what skills do you plan to master over the next one/three/five or 10 years? If you do not invest your time wisely in mastering some skills, you will surely end up wasting it on distractions that a daily mundane life throws at you. -indianexpress