Hey friends!
I’m back in Lisbon after a few weeks of travel. We’re here until mid-December. Business is good, despite some economic headwinds, and we’re hoping to launch my first online course, “Sustainable Productivity”, in a matter of weeks. I’ll keep you posted. I hope you enjoy this edition. <3 - Connor
One Idea: The Protégé Effect
Around two thousand years ago, Roman philosopher Seneca wrote in his Letters to Lucilius, “(Wo)men learn while they teach.” This idea was distilled into the famous Latin proverb, While we teach, we learn.
For centuries, it’s been well understood that teaching is one of the best strategies to reinforce learning. In recent decades, science has emerged to back up this claim.
Researchers have dubbed this The Protégé Effect.
The Value of Teaching
In a study done in 2014, researchers ran two experiments to better understand this phenomena.
Both experiments followed a similar structure, in which students were given an assignment and told to study it (a) for a test or (b) in order to teach to another student who would be tested.
Both groups were tested on their recall of the subject matter.
The result?
In both experiments, the students expecting to teach performed better. They recalled the information with more accuracy and better organizational structure.
The Value of Learning
In today’s world, our ability to constantly be learning is a superskill, one that I believe will be increasingly important as rapid technological change upends the economy, our jobs, and society at large.
Hence why Alvin Toffler, widely recognized as one of the world’s outstanding futurists, wrote:
“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”
But many of us are operating with an outdated view of learning. We think we need to be sat in a classroom, or reading a book, or taking a course (you should still take my upcoming course though).
My experience has shown me that in reality, the greatest way to learn is through teaching.
Teaching is Learning
If you’re like most people I meet, you probably don’t think you’re qualified to teach.
This, I believe, is a huge mistake.
Many people think of themselves only as a student. They think to be a teacher requires a pedigree or some official certification.
In reality, you are both a teacher and a student at all times.
Whatever you’re learning, or wherever you are in your career, there are people behind you and people in front of you. Those that are behind you are your students. Those in front of you are your teachers.
Each of us can share something that is helpful to someone else. We’re always a little bit ahead of someone, and conversely, we’re always a little bit behind someone else.
This cyclical nature of learning is obvious, but highly underrated.
By understanding it, you not only unlock major opportunities for learning, but you can also give back and serve others in powerful ways.
This insight is one reason I quit Google to teach workshops on productivity, time management, and workplace well-being.
It wasn’t because I was finally an “expert” or “had it all figured out.”
It was because I knew that by teaching, I would drastically accelerate my learning while also making an impact on others.
Practical Wisdom
You don’t need to quit your job to put the Protege Effect into practice. Here are a few simpler ways to test it in your own life.
Share with a friend. Next time you read or learn something interesting, challenge yourself to explain it to a friend. Not only will it enhance your learning, they will benefit as well.
Write an article. Writing is the best way to truly test your understanding. If you find an idea fascinating, try to write it out. It doesn’t have to be a fancy blog, even an email to a few friends can do the trick (hence this newsletter…).
Create a learning community. This will take a bit more upfront effort, but the payoff will be worth it. Find a few likeminded people and create a space where you teach each other new ideas. I’ve done this with my friend Ronald and it’s incredible how it can accelerate your learning.
Things we’ve made recently
Claire has been creating some beautiful illustrations to showcase ideas we believe can help you live a happier, healthier, more productive life.
Things you might enjoy
Here are a few funny, interesting, or ridiculous bits we’ve picked up across the world wide web as of late.
Thanks.
This newsletter is a labor of love, and the best way to support us is to share it with a friend. There’s a cute purple button right below to help you do just that. Fanx.
hadn’t heard of the protege effect before. this was great and got me thinking. I’m in the early days of a course around intuitive exercise and realizing that getting people to not only implement but teach someone else the concepts could help them stick. Plus creates a social element which is huge for sustainability.
Any specific ways you’re incorporating getting people teaching into the course you’re building? Or have you seen anyone else do it well?