[Learning] The first 20 hours

TEDx Talks (TEDxCSU) by Josh Kaufman (19m26s)

Main theme
It only takes 20 hours from being grossly incompetent to reasonably good.

4 simple steps to rapid skill acquisition
(the ways to practice intelligently / invest 20 hours effectively):

1) Deconstruct the skill.
Practice the most important first.

2) Learn enough to self-correct.
Get 4 or 5 books or resources.
don't get 20 books and procrastinate.
learning becomes a way of getting better to notice your own mistakes

3) Remove practice barriers
Internet. Television. Get rid of them.

4) Practice at least 20 hours

Feeling stupid is a barrier to actually sitting there to do work.
Overcome initial frustration is important.

The major barrier to skill acquisition isn't intellectual.
It's emotional.