Simple guide on how to be awesome.

Okay don't get your hopes up. I am not going to post on how to learn to be awesome, but this is even better. I am going to blog about --

Universal Learning Theory Guidelines by Muhammad Hafiz (Me).

This is more to guidelines than theory actually. Simple yet effective guideline, on how to learn anything that you wanted. Anything. Anything at all.

The guide IS simple -- to do it, however, is a different story altogether. Sometimes, it is the simple things in life that is the hardest to do. Like saying thanks, or smile *cough*or-share-my-blog-or-my-post-to-your-friends*cough*.
This theory however, is based on my bullshit experience. It is not perfect -- at least not yet -- but this is how I view the world.

First thing first, in order for you to learn new things, you need to have a will to do it. In simple words, you are the one that wanted to learn that subject.

1. YOU, yourself wanted to learn.

Being forced, coerce, or blackmailed into learning new stuff would be difficult for the learning process. For example, your job scope required you to learn a new third language. Korean for example. If you learn Korean because you have to otherwise you might get sack (being forced to learn), it is going to be hard because every cell in your body are rejecting the new input. However, in a different situation, where a teenager girl can understand and speak Korean fluently just because she wanted to understand and speak the language of her idol/crush, Kim Jong-Kook, one of the cast from a South Korean variety show, Running Man.

In everything we do, we start with our intention and perception. It is mind over matter.

I have experienced this my self. In 2006, I represent my school at a district level in table tennis competition. Just before my match, out of nervousness, deep in my heart, I said "I can't win." , and sure enough I lost the match 9-11 after leading it at 9-5. Anyway, to learn, you need to have enthusiasm. With it, you can freely move forward, but if you are forced, coerced or blackmailed, it is like having a ball of chain around your feet -- you can move forward but with great difficulty.

So change your intention and correct your perception. Keep positive and optimistic. See the world in a different light -- a better light. Focus on the benefits, and the fun side of learning new things.


After having the passion to learn, to actually learn anything, all you got to do is read, listen and watch.

2. Read, listen and watch.

Get familiar with the subjects that you wanted to learn, by reading about it, listen to it, or listen about it. Mainly to get to know it better. For example, if magic tricks is the thing that you wanted to learn, read about it, listen to it, watch the show and watch the tutorial, see how the tricks is done by professional and by amateurs.

After you have done that, do it again and again and do this as well --

3. Question EVERYTHING.

For those who instantly ask "why?" after reading number 3, Good job. You are learning fast. :) 

You need to question everything that you learn. By questioning it, and then looking for the answers, you can understand deeper and better on why it is the way it is. By questioning everything, we can be more focused and alert. To uncover how magician do their magic tricks is by asking everything, not at the magician, but at your self. For example, if the magician ask you to hold up your right hand, ask why your right not your left, why is he using so much hand movement, then you would be more alert and notice that the purpose of that action is to distract you so that you would be focused on your hands and missing his sleight of hands.

Here is an exercise . Try and see if you can explain in details how the magic is done and the purpose of the cup, the jug and the "crazy" act by questioning everything.

Lastly, after reading, watching, listening and questioning everything, you need to put everything you learn into practice!

4. Put it into practice!

Practice, practice, practice and more practice. After that you can practice, practice and practice and practice some more. Yes, practice is that important.

Ain't it simple. In 4 simple steps, the world is your oyster.
Congratulations, you just learn how to learn :D
Now go and put it to practice!