Learn Anything in Just 20 Hours: Accelerate Your Career Today
It doesn’t take 10,000 hours to get good at something—it just takes focused practice, especially in those critical first 20 hours.
Malcolm Gladwell’s famous 10,000-hour rule suggests it takes that long to achieve mastery, but getting good at something doesn’t have to be so daunting. By focusing your practice on the critical components of the skill, especially in the first 20 hours, you can make meaningful progress much faster.
This idea, popularized by Josh Kaufman in his TED talk, “The First 20 Hours,” flips the script on traditional learning. Rather than obsessing over mastery, the focus is on rapid skill acquisition. Deconstruct the skill, remove distractions, and devote concentrated effort—suddenly, learning becomes achievable. Sarah took that lesson to heart and saw her progress soar.
How can you apply this approach?
• Break it down. Identify the core components of the skill you want to learn.
• Embrace early struggles. Start practicing and adjust as you go—small improvements compound.
• Remove barriers. Schedule dedicated time, silence notifications, remove any distractions, and find a quiet space.
• Commit to 20 hours. Consistent, focused effort is the secret to noticeable progress.
AI and the philosophy of Kaizen (continuous improvement) can amplify your results. AI-powered tools (like Kaizen Coach) provide personalized guidance and help you identify the core components of the new skill you are trying to acquire.
Start Today
What’s one skill you’ve always wanted to learn but put off (comment below and I’ll help you break it down)?
Take the first step today. Those 20 hours could transform your career trajectory—faster than you think.
Bonus Material
Example of Using AI to Breakdown a New Skill
First 20 Hours Plan for Learning Postgres and Prisma ORM:
1–2 hours: Setup and Initial Exploration
• Install Postgres and set up a local database.
• Familiarize yourself with basic tools (e.g., pgAdmin, a terminal-based client like psql).
• Install Prisma CLI and initialize Prisma in a project.
• Quickly scan official documentation for both Postgres and Prisma to get an overview.
3–5 hours: Understanding the Basics
• Learn fundamental SQL commands: CREATE, INSERT, SELECT, UPDATE, DELETE.
• Create a simple schema in Postgres and practice running basic queries.
• Set up your Prisma schema file and generate the Prisma client.
• Connect Prisma to your Postgres database and perform basic operations (e.g., create a record, read a record).
6–10 hours: Building a Small Project
• Pick a small project idea (like a blog or a to-do list app).
• Design the database schema for this project.
• Use Prisma to generate the required models and start interacting with the database.
• Focus on CRUD operations and simple relations (e.g., linking authors to posts, or tasks to categories).
11–15 hours: Introducing Advanced Concepts
• Explore Prisma’s migrations feature and practice adding/modifying tables.
• Dive into advanced Postgres features like indexes, constraints, and basic performance considerations.
• Implement simple relations (e.g., one-to-many, many-to-many) in your project.
• Experiment with Prisma’s filtering and pagination.
16–20 hours: Practicing and Self-Correcting
• Refactor your project as you learn better ways to structure your schema or queries.
• Try troubleshooting common issues (e.g., dealing with missing fields, debugging migrations).
• Incorporate additional Prisma features such as middlewares or custom input/output types.
• Reflect on what you’ve learned, and note down any recurring pain points or questions.
By the end of these 20 hours, you’ll have hands-on experience with both Postgres and Prisma, a small project under your belt, and a clearer path forward for deeper learning.
First 20 Hours Plan for Improving Your Startup Pitch to VCs:
1–2 hours: Research and Preparation
• Study successful startup pitch examples and note what makes them compelling.
• Research your target VCs—know their interests, portfolio companies, and investment preferences.
• Refine your value proposition and ensure it’s clear, specific, and impactful.
3–5 hours: Structuring Your Pitch
• Outline the key components of your pitch: problem, solution, market opportunity, traction, business model, and team.
• Arrange these sections in a logical, engaging flow that tells a clear story.
• Draft a 5–7 minute pitch script and practice it once or twice to get comfortable with the structure.
6–10 hours: Crafting a Visual Presentation
• Create a simple, visually appealing pitch deck that complements your narrative.
• Focus on minimal text, clear visuals, and data points that support your claims.
• Practice presenting with your slides, ensuring each one flows smoothly into the next.
11–15 hours: Refining Delivery and Handling Questions
• Rehearse your pitch out loud multiple times, refining phrasing and pacing.
• Record yourself and review the video to spot any filler words, unclear points, or nervous habits.
• Brainstorm and prepare answers for common VC questions (e.g., “Why now?” “How do you acquire customers?” “What’s your runway?”).
16–20 hours: Gaining Feedback and Iterating
• Present your pitch to a trusted advisor, mentor, or peer group and gather feedback.
• Iterate on your deck and delivery based on their suggestions.
• Conduct mock Q&A sessions to practice thinking on your feet and delivering confident, concise responses.
By the end of these 20 hours, you’ll have a clear, engaging pitch, a polished delivery style, and the confidence to handle VC questions with poise.