6 Ways To Learn Difficult Things Easily

Staring down the barrel of some ridiculously complex topic that seems completely incomprehensible. Maybe it’s coding, calculus, or theoretical astrophysics, your brain ties itself in knots just trying to understand the basic terminology.

But what if I told you there are proven tactics to make tackling tough subjects far easier than you ever imagined? Stick with me, and by the end of this, even quantum mechanics will make more sense than “the cat’s out of the bag.” (Joke)

1. Reverse the “Cursed” Mindset

Right off the bat, we have to confront one of the biggest mental roadblocks: believing some skills are inherently “too difficult” for us. This is what I call the Cursed Mindset.

People say things like “I’m just not a math person” or “I could never code — that’s like a foreign language to me.” These are limiting beliefs rooted in fear, not facts.

As the Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan once quipped:

“Patience and perspective accomplish everything.”

So if the doubting voices in your head pipe up, politely shut them down. Remind yourself that you absolutely CAN learn this — it merely requires dissolving your preconceived notions and approaching it with fresh eyes.

2. Transform “Torture” into a Game

Here’s a confession: as a kid, my parents had to force me to read books during summer vacation. I’d whine and pout — reading felt like torture.

But then one day, my brilliant mother made it into a game. She covered the dusty bookcase with blankets to create a cozy “fort” and let me pick any book that piqued my curiosity.

Suddenly, reading transformed from dreary task into tantalizing adventure. I couldn’t get enough.

The lesson? Find ways to gamify dull or intimidating topics. Set milestones, create small rewards, or simply flip your perspective until it resembles playtime rather than “work.”

You’d be amazed how quickly the human mind can master even the most byzantine concepts when they’re repacked into an appetizing, fun-sized “game.”

3. The Hidden Story

Another mental hurdle that trips us up is perceiving complex subjects as cold, abstract, and divorced from reality. Our brains naturally tune those out — we crave relatable narratives instead.

So look for the hidden human story behind any dense concept. For example:

• Geometry isn’t just about shapes and angles — it’s a chronicle of ancient thinkers grappling to map the physical world.
• Biology overflows with dramas more captivating than any soap opera (think: invasive species battling for survival).
• Even quantum physics tells the tale of brilliant minds unraveling the mind-bending mysteries of the universe itself.

I’m not saying viewing things through this lens automatically makes them easy. But weaving real human narratives into the driest material makes it vastly more gripping — and memorable.

4. Use the “Bestie Cheatcode”

Do you have that one friend who can break down even the most perplexing ideas into bite-sized chunks? That buddy who just gets it and has an effortless way of making light bulbs turn on in your brain?

As the famous historian Frantz Fanon said,

“To educate… is before all else to try to help the child to realize life’s whys.”

So find your most patient pal, loved one, or heck — even a nice barnyard animal. Then teach them your new skill from the ground up, fleshing out all the little gaps in your knowledge as you go.

Not only does this reinforce what you’ve learned, but having to break it down into digestible pieces burns the core insights into your psyche. Ingenious!

5. Deploy the Spacing Solution

Here’s a mistake I’ve made too many times to count: binge-learning like a machine in a desperate, caffeine-fueled cram session before a major test or interview. We’ve all been there.

But researchers have proven time and again that spacing out your learning into bite-sized sessions produces vastly better retention.

As the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said,

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”

In other words, don’t try to shove a years’ worth of knowledge into your brain all at once. Take it steady:

• Study a little every day, letting the information marinate.
• Sleep on it, allowing your subconscious to work its magic knitting the pieces together.
• Rinse and repeat.

It may feel like you’re not making progress at first. But like compounding interest, spaced repetition builds mastery exponentially over time.

6. Seek Out “Struggle Buddies”

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” -Michael Jordan

Speaking of taking things slow and steady, having a support crew makes a massive difference. Learning at your lonesome is tough — distractions, frustrations, and self-doubt pile up quickly.

But gather a few “struggle buddies” who are tackling the same challenging skills? Suddenly you have:

• Built-in accountability to keep everyone’s butts in chairs
• A solidarity that makes setbacks sting less
• More resources to fill in each other’s knowledge gaps

Even if you plan to eventually blaze your own trail, setting out on the learning path surrounded by a trusted gaggle makes the trek infinitely more fun and fruitful.

Final Thoughts

Keep experimenting with different tactics until you find your ideal combination.

The common thread is this: No skill is ever truly “difficult” in itself — the only obstacles that exist are the ones we create in our own heads.

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