Lifehack: Fastest way to learn about anything without reading a book.

In one of my previous posts, I wrote,  If you don't like reading books but still wants to be a learner, read this.  And there I discuss about how audio learning can help you become more productive and more informed. Still I found that there is a faster way to listening to podcast and audiobooks to learn something. I also recognize that there are limitations to audio learning. One of them is not having an audio player and another would be getting the audio material itself. If you want  to learn a new language for example, you have to buy an audiobook for that language and audio learning can be limited. Nevertheless, I see a lot of advantage in audio learning. It's easy to do and it makes good use of your time.

What I would like to share today is a much easier and (hopefully) more fun way of learning something new. I find that this is the fastest way to get information and the technique I would like to share is very simple because you do this everyday. What is it? It's talking to people.

Yes, the technique is to talk to people and learn something new. If you want to learn a new language, look for someone who can speak that language and talk to that person. You can ask him or her to talk to you as you study the language. In due time, you will be able to have a conversational level of communication using that language. 

Few weeks ago, I was asked to learn about Business Process Outsourcing and even though I am an IT person, I have no idea about BPOs. But then I know people who has some ideas and so I asked a favor to them to meet with me over a cup of coffee to talk about the industry. In few minutes I was able to understand what it is all about. Then I was asked to learn the technical aspect of the BPO, so I called a friend who was able to set up call centers all over the country and over coffee he gave me the information I need to jump start learning about these industry. Had I relied on books, I would not be able to get that information faster and on a much more comprehensible package. I was able to learn a lot in a very short time.

You can interview businessmen and women to learn about business. Many of these successful businessmen and women surprisingly will give time to talk to you and teach you a thing or two about who they were able to arrive at their current situation. If you want to excel in your career, talk to the top guy or gal in your industry and ask how they did it or what are their stories. Sometimes, it is just a matter of asking them and then you will get the time.

The great thing about this technique is that there are so many people around thus you have so many resource person available for you. 

Learning through conversation with people are often just means for you to jump start your quest to learning deeper which may involve reading a book later or listening to an audiobook. But the important thing about learning from talking with people is that you can start something that has work for other people and this tips might work for you as well.

So get connected and start learning from others.