Get Better at Anything: 12 Maxims for Mastery
By Scott Young.
Recommended on: 18th April 2024
Get Better at Anything: 12 Maxims for Mastery, by Scott Young. Scott Young is a well-known blogger and author who has written extensively on learning, skill acquisition, and productivity–he is also interviewed in our very own Learning How to Learn. In his latest book, Get Better at Anything, Scott distills key lessons gleaned from research in cognitive psychology, expertise development, and deliberate practice. The result is a highly practical guide full of actionable strategies for accelerating the learning process in any domain.
What sets this book apart is how Scott brings abstract concepts to life through engaging real-world examples, from the surprising evolution of world-class Tetris players to the intensive training regimens of accomplished jazz musicians. The book is organized around 12 simple yet profound “maxims” such as “Problem Solving is Search,” “Creativity Begins with Copying,” and “Fear Fades with Exposure.” Each maxim encapsulates an important principle about the learning process.
For example, the maxim “Difficulty Has a Sweet Spot” emphasizes the importance of finding the optimal level of challenge to facilitate growth – not so easy that you stagnate, but not so frustratingly difficult that you give up. Scott illustrates this with the story of science fiction author Octavia Butler, (one of Barb’s favorite writers while she was growing up), who progressively increased the difficulty and scope of her writing projects, from short stories to novels, steadily honing her craft over many years.
Like Butler, we too must embrace difficulty, whether we’re learning a new language, instrument, or professional skill. But the difficulty must be carefully calibrated, ideally with guidance from teachers and mentors. Get Better at Anything provides a wealth of tips for navigating the “messy middle” between beginner and expert, where many people hit plateaus or lose motivation.
Other sections explore topics like the power and limits of transferable skills, the necessity of realistic practice environments, and the surprising connection between quantity and quality in creative fields. Throughout, Scott’s infectious curiosity and growth mindset shine through. You can’t help but feel inspired to tackle your own learning challenges with renewed focus and energy.
While aimed at a general audience, Get Better at Anything also offers plenty of insights for educators, coaches, and anyone responsible for developing talent in others. The book’s key takeaways have important implications for curriculum design, assessment, and pedagogy across many domains.
In an era of rapid change, the ability to acquire new knowledge and skills is essential for thriving in work and life. Get Better at Anything is an indispensable resource for honing that ability, with principles that can be fruitfully applied by students, professionals, artists, athletes, and lifelong learners of all stripes. Add this one to your personal development shortlist.
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