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The First 20 Hours

How to Learn Anything... Fast!

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The First 20 Hours

By: Josh Kaufman
Narrated by: Josh Kaufman
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About this listen

"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?

©2013 Worldly Wisdom Ventures LLC (P)2013 Worldly Wisdom Ventures LLC Career Success Developmental Psychology Education Motivation & Self-Improvement Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Time Management & Productivity Career Sports Inspiring Physical Exercise Yoga

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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)
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I am now planning on learning how to play the ukulele!
Thanks for the idea!

Ukulele

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The core principles are solid, but I found the chapters where he broke down examples of learning yoga, programming etc pretty dull. They felt like padding, rather than value. YMMV

The principles are good, but...

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This book is great, like really good. if you want to learn about rapid skill acquisition, this will change the way you think and do things.

My big issue and the biggest disappointment about this book is that, from the outset of this book, the author offers bonus accompanying material if you email receipt of purchase of this book to a certain eMail address.

I have eMailed this address over 5 times to which, I have received Zero replies, yes I said Zero replies. Very disappointing.

I find this pretty poor form on behalf of the author. I feel if you are going to offer something, you should deliver. Maybe the author could apply his own approach of rapid skill acquisition to his promised service delivery and improve it by actually delivering on his promise.

I mean, this bonus material should be made available as accompanying material on Audible.

Anyway, this book is great & I hope the author see this review and reverts accordingly.

Great book but No Feedback re bonus material?

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This is a brilliant book. It changed my mind set, since reading this book, I have applied the principles and learnt basic French, Yoga and Meditation.

If you want to add new skills

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Would you try another book written by Josh Kaufman or narrated by Josh Kaufman?

I would certainly try another book written and narrated by Josh Kaufman. Though I did not like how the matter in the book is presented, there is value in what it tries to convey.

What could Josh Kaufman have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I really liked the book in the first few chapters. These perfectly hit the mark and convey a powerful idea and method of learning. Unfortunately the author spends the rest of the book describing six or seven new skills he learned using the method as examples, with a chapter dedicated to each one of the skills. The level of detail in describing these skills is not relevant to this message this book tries to convey. If I want to learn yoga or learn about its history, I will pick up a book on it. The same goes for the other skills. Examples are a useful and powerful tool, but they were much too stretched out and I feel like the author could have shortened the examples considerably and put a few in a single chapter.

What about Josh Kaufman’s performance did you like?

Josh's writing style in general is good and his narration was also very good.

Powerful idea, but the book misses the mark

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Super handy, especially if one of the skills you want to learn are listed in this book

Great transferable skills

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I've just finished listening to this and am about to start again to try and embed it!

Highly recommend!

Very inspiring

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The principal from the first few chapters is sound. But then we go down a rabbit hole where the author spends half the book telling us in minute detail about the things he learn in 20 hours.

Not worth the money or time

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Could have avoided such detailed explanations of what he learned. Instead, would have been helpful to have had more detail around focus tips, learning methods etc.

Short version... practice and apply yourself. Done

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Having listened to this book I feel I have enough information and practical advice to make a start and confidence I can commit to seeing my next project through. The examples were really useful, but as advised, I skipped the ones that I wasn't as interested in.
Really enjoyed listening to the experiences of the author. Very easy to relate to. Would recommend to anyone who has 10 projects, half finished!

Just the right amount of info

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