3 Costly Mistakes You’re Making When Learning a New Skill (And How to Fix Them)

I was the only one who saw it happen—no one could explain it better than I could.

My brain was a jumbled mess.

I had just finished reading a book on writing, but halfway through, everything got foggy. I wasn’t understanding it anymore. So I picked up another book—same topic, same struggle. The way it was explained? A complete disaster.

This happens every time I try to learn something new.

Especially on YouTube. I pull up a bunch of videos, hoping one will click, but I end up overwhelmed. My brain processes in waves—I see the information, but I can’t seem to grasp it.

Please tell me you’ve been here too.

The cycle finally ended when I figured out what I was doing wrong. These mistakes made learning way harder than it needed to be. Once I fixed them, everything changed—I could pick up new skills fast without going back and forth a million times.

Here’s what I was doing wrong. You might be making these mistakes too.

And once you fix them, you become unstoppable in your pursuit of growth.

Mistake 1: Assuming More Views = Better Learning

Whenever I searched on YouTube, I’d go for the video with the most views. But I realized that high views don’t guarantee quality—many viral videos prioritize entertainment over depth.

What I do instead: I check the comments for solid recommendations before investing my time. Once my research is solid, my learning flows smoothly.

Mistake 2: Consuming Too Many Resources at Once

I used to open multiple videos or download a bunch of books, thinking I needed to sift through them to find the best.

Until I realized that too many choices lead to paralysis—my brain got overwhelmed before learning even started. Jumping between videos prevented deep focus and structured learning.

Instead: I commit to one resource before seeking additional information.

Mistake 3: Consuming Without Applying

I used to watch videos or read books passively, thinking I was learning. However I struggled to fully grasp concepts at first pass.

Then, I started taking notes in my own words, summarizing key points, and immediately applying what I learned. That’s when learning became powerful. Knowledge without execution is wasted—your brain needs application to retain information.

Instead: Take notes, summarize in your own words, and teach what you learn to solidify understanding.

Identifying these three mistakes turned me into a learning machine. Now, my curiosity fuels me, and I satisfy it with clarity and focus.

Aminat Junaid - Premium Ghostwriter

#Lifelong learning #Smarter not harder #Productive learning #Growth mindset #Learn etter #Success habits