Are You Sure It's Just About Learning?

Essentially, the learning process involves a change in the nature of the learner from not knowing to knowing, from not understanding to understanding.

Whether it’s programming, playing guitar, learning languages, public speaking, cooking, or sports. People who look skilled usually don’t just learn the theory, they’ve gotten used to doing it every day.

This means that learning does not necessarily change a person’s attitude, does not always produce results, and certainly does not make the learner a professional in a particular field.

Getting used to it#

One potential approach is to get used to a particular process by repeating it over and over again (looping) until it becomes second nature.

By getting used to it, whether you like it or not, you will shape and practice what you have learned. Of course, the output of the learning process can be remembered in the long term. If the “learning” process is done first, how can someone understand without getting used to it first?

• Friend: What are you learning right now?
• Me: I’m learning in C (programming language) so that I can get used to build application.

Similar questions that are often asked are: why use an operating system when the commands is complicated and difficult to memorize, instead of just clicking? Why use an application when there are few tutorials, but others with plenty? Why choose X over Z? And so on.

The answer often like these: “Because I’m used to”. It can be said that this answer is very subjective based on the experience of the person answering, but that’s the actual reality.

The way to get used to and be fluent in computer programming is to code every day. To get used to making good designs, you have to design every day. To get used to speaking Japanese, you have to speak Japanese every day. To get used to public speaking, of course, you have to speak every day.

In 2009, I still remember my junior high school biology teacher, who was also an MIPA (Mathematics and Natural Sciences) Olympiad instructor at the time, asking, “Sir, how did you memorize all the terms related to digestion, respiration, hearing, the excretory system, cells, and so on?” He casually replied, “Because I’ve been teaching biology every day for years and I also teach at a private school.”

I could only mutter, “Oh… that makes sense.” It turns out that frequent practice and getting used to something are ways to build a strong foundation.

Having a goal#

Apart from “being accustomed to it,” another strong reason is having a goal for what you want to get used to. This is what becomes the fundamental (intention and motivation) for getting used to something. Before planning to get used to something, first make sure you have a strong reason for needing it.

For example, why should you use Linux? Because you want to become a certified system administrator at a company. Why should you get used to Python and SQL? To become a professional data scientist in the future. Why should you get used to Java? To become a mobile programmer at a company. Why should you get used to Inkscape? To become a great logo designer. And so on. It will feel empty if you do something without a meaningful and defined goal.

Having more features#

Another answer is because it has “more features.” Usually, the argument is based on features that are more suitable and meet spesific needs. For example, using BSD or Linux-based because it is lighter and offers maximum performance. Using drawing apps because it has editable layers and compatible with printing color standards, and so on.

The answers to these arguments generally refer more to technical matters.

Same network#

“I use X software because many of my colleagues use it,” is a fairly rational argument. Once you know your goal, there will definitely be individuals or groups who share the same passion. By joining a group or community, you will be able to build connections within the same network. That way, you can ask for feedback once you have created your portfolio.

Back to the topic#

It’s not just about learning, but also practicing what has been learned. Learning is only the initial process of understanding concepts and theories, but the euphoria is more about the results of execution, trial and error, and repeated practice.

Is it enough to just practice? Of course not. The concept of learning is more than that. The process is as follows: Starting with having a specific goal > Getting used to it > Learning > Understanding > Teaching others > Guiding > Facilitating learners to maintain the concept of learning (Dagmar et al).

“I hate every minute of training, but I say, Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”

— Muhammad Ali

If you only read books, subscribe to courses, watch webinars and video tutorials, this is only a small part of the learning concept above. It must be more than that, one must get used to practicing it. Every day!