Drilling

Any participant in sports can tell you the value of drilling. The military understands this too, it would be foolish to believe the United State's military dominance in comes primarily from its technology. The technology is just a toolbox. The members need to know how to use the tools effectively in order for the tools to have any value. This is done by constant drilling. Constant practice, breaking the tools down to elemental parts and using them in various scenarios.

As a person learning to program, you need to know the examples you have collected inside and out. Take your various programs examples and synthesize a new one. Look for the least common denominator, rewrite them to make them more versatile. At some point they will be rewritten in a way that the become truly your creation. Using them to create a program that you can can give out as a calling card is a good way to find employment in this field. Especially when you can describe how it works inside and out, emphasizing you master of the important concepts.

Developer's Tools

Whether you're learning to become a  programmer or learning another language or you and an electricians apprentice, you will need to collect and know your tools in side and out. Tools allow you to leverage you time and energy. There are also tasks which can only be done with specific tools. Become tool oriented and know you tools.

You value in your abilities weather programming or speaking Spanish to someone will come from what you can pull out of your tools box and use effectively and instinctively as possible. This level of expertise can only come from continuous use and practice of your tools.

Its important to have the right tools for the job, come prepared. Have general phrases at had that you can use while you are traveling. Have restaurant phrases at hand for use when dinning out.

Working Examples

The best way to develop you skills is by working examples or doing drills. If you are learning from a book or class, you are given examples. These examples are the most importantly tools for you to collect, because they are the most relevant, this is true even if you can see it at the time, you simply need to believe this is so. The fact that they are used as examples is proof of their usefulness and relevant. They are handed to you on a silver platter, it would be foolish to not collect these and hold great value to them. They are like gold.

Go over the Chapter example and have it in front of you as you read the material or are listening to the instructor, so that as you progress you will be able to see what is being discussed at the same time.

Anti Hording

You want to share everything you do that works with the world, but collect like someone who does not like to throw anything away. It is important however to categorize and organize to the best of your ability. Sharing with the world does not put you at a disadvantage by giving all you "secrets" away. By sharing your journey you inspire others to "follow" in you footsteps. You become the sought after expert in that area.

Its risky but the risk is worth the reward. By publishing your work on the fly(Blogging), you can demonstrate that you published your "unique" ideas first. By sharing your processes you help to advance learning, which is good for everybody.

Learning Method Inspired from intense session of Meditation

Inspired from and intense session of meditation I was given a learning method that works for me. Perhaps it can work for you.

Drills and exercises on the chosen subject you are learning.

Collecting(anti-hording) tools.

• working examples

Knowing your tools inside and out(constantly reviewing).