The First 20 Hours Book Summary, by J.

Kaufman
by Allen Cheng - https://www.allencheng.com - Visit for more summaries like this one.

The First 20 Hours Book Summary, by J. Kaufman

https://www.allencheng.com/the-first-20-hours-book-summary-j-kaufman/

Want to get the main points of The First 20 Hours in 20 minutes or less? Read the world's #1 book
summary of The First 20 Hours by J. Kaufman here.

Read a quick 1-Page Summary, a Full Summary, or watch video summaries curated by our expert team.

1-Page Summary of The First 20 Hours

In 2008, Malcolm Gladwell popularized the 10,000-hour rule in his book Outliers: The Story of Success.
It's based on research by Dr. K. Anders Ericsson of Florida State University and states that gaining
superior expertise requires at least 10,000 hours of practice--an enormous commitment.

Even the most dedicated musicians and athletes have a limit for how much deliberate practice they can do
in one day. Most people would need 10 years to gain world-class mastery of a skill or discipline by
practicing only 3.5 hours per day. Considering that most people don't have enough time to practice more
than a couple of hours each week, it's unrealistic to think you could reach the level of top performers like
professional athletes and musicians.

If your goal is to be as good at golf as Tiger Woods, you should start putting in 10,000 hours of focused
practice right now. However, if you don't care about winning a PGA tournament and simply want to
become competent enough at golf to have fun and not look foolish, all it takes is 20 concentrated hours of
practice.

Your goal is to be good enough at something so that you can enjoy it and do it well. You don't want to
become an expert, but just get a basic understanding of the skill. If you decide to master your new field
after putting in 20 hours of effort into learning about it, everything you've learned up until then will help
you.

The Rapid Skill-Acquisition System

Rapid skill acquisition is a process of breaking down the skill you want to learn into smaller subskills.
You then teach yourself these subskills until they're second nature, eliminate any distractions that might
interfere with your learning and practice those skills for 20 hours straight. The steps are simple and
straightforward: Decide what you want to learn, figure out how to go about it, set aside time for practicing
and then put in the work. Don't expect instant mastery but if you follow this process diligently over the
course of 20 hours, you'll have basic proficiency in your new skill.

1/7
The First 20 Hours Book Summary, by J. Kaufman
by Allen Cheng - https://www.allencheng.com - Visit for more summaries like this one.

Not Your Traditional Learning Process

There is a difference between learning in school and developing new skills. For example, during your
high school Spanish class, the teacher probably gave you many words to learn along with grammar rules
and conjugations. You demonstrated that you learned by correctly answering questions on tests about
those words, parts of speech and rules. If you studied hard enough, you could get an A for that subject.
However, this isn't how people really learn to speak another language well; it's more effective if they
spend just a few weeks conversing with native speakers than years in a classroom trying to do so.

“10 Principles of Effective Learning”

Although traditional ways of learning have value, teaching yourself can be more effective. When you
learn on your own, you're better able to self-edit and correct mistakes while practicing skills. Ten basic
principles are involved in every kind of learning:

1. "Research the skill and related topics" - Researching is an important part of learning a new skill.
Find three books or DVDs or other specific teaching materials on your subject. Quickly review
these so you can learn about the subskills that constitute the main skill that interests you.

2. "Jump into something that seems too difficult." – Since you want to learn a new skill, expect the
material you first come across to be confusing. This confusion is good and will push you to learn
more about it. As you gain understanding, any confusing material will become clear.

3. “Mental models and metaphors are the most basic units of learning.” Mental models set up
patterns that show up repeatedly in your life. For example, if you want to learn how to kayak,
imagine what would happen if you flipped over your kayak while white-water rafting. That will
help you figure out how to get back on top of it again so that you don’t drown or get injured.

4. “Talk to people who are already good at the skill you want to acquire, so they can tell you what
competent performance requires.”

5. "Set aside anything that interferes with your learning" – This includes the Internet, phones and
television. People can also be a distraction, so consider eliminating them from your environment
as well. Pets are another common distraction, so they should go too.

6.

Use flash cards to help you memorize. For example, the Anki software program can be used for this
purpose.

1. "Create checklists and routines" - a checklist helps you remember to follow protocols. Routines
are things that you always do so that you practice your new skills the same way every time.
Basketball players, for example, have a routine they repeat before shooting free throws: catch the
ball from the ref, bounce it three times, pause for three seconds and shoot.

2/7
The First 20 Hours Book Summary, by J. Kaufman
by Allen Cheng - https://www.allencheng.com - Visit for more summaries like this one.

2. “Experimentation” is the key to learning by doing. It involves four steps: Observation, known
facts, hypothesis (supposition), and test. Keep track of your experiments in order to evaluate your
performance and learn from it.

3. "Honor your biology" - Don't burn out. Break your practice into small segments, for example, "20
minutes of practice, 10-minute break," and so on.

“10 Principles of Rapid Skill Acquisition”

Skill acquisition is different from learning. It's a skill that you acquire quickly, and it doesn't come
through constant repetition or practice. Rapid skill acquisition relies on the following 10 essential
principles:

1. Select a project that you are passionate about. If you aren't, it will be hard to sustain your focus
and energy on learning something new. Philosopher Karl Popper wrote, "The best thing that can
happen to a human being is to find a problem, fall in love with that problem, and live trying to
solve that problem."

2. If you want to learn a new skill, don't try to take on too much at once. For example, if you're
learning how to play golf, it's not smart to spend equal amounts of time practicing all the subskills
involved in playing golf. Instead, focus on one skill and master that before moving onto another.
Also, decide what level of performance you want for each skill and make sure your goals are
realistic.

3. "Get the right tools" - You can't do a good job if you don’t have what you need. Investigate which
tools are essential and acquire them.

4. "Eliminate barriers to practice" - For example, don't lose your tools or skip essential setup steps.
Don't rely on borrowed equipment because if you can't get it, you won't be able to practice. Don’t
waste your limited practice time on distractions and negative emotions that sap the will to learn a
new skill.

5. To become a great public speaker, you need to practice. A lot of it. Aim for at least 90 minutes
every day and try to do 20 hours total. You can get feedback from someone who knows what
they're doing or film yourself so that you know where your weaknesses are. Don't beat yourself up
when you make mistakes; just identify them and work harder on them until they're gone. When
something is difficult, use a tool like a pointer stick or clicker to help with the skill.

6. "Practice by the clock in short bursts." Set a timer for 20 minutes and practice for three to five
sessions daily. Don't let anything interfere with your schedule.

7. "Emphasize quantity and speed" - When you practice, do as much as you can in the shortest
amount of time. However, don't rush so much that you sacrifice quality. Aim for "good enough"
technique rather than perfection.

3/7
The First 20 Hours Book Summary, by J. Kaufman
by Allen Cheng - https://www.allencheng.com - Visit for more summaries like this one.

A Fail-Safe System

The author learned six new skills in a year. He used the Rapid Skill Acquisition process to do that, and
found it took between one and two hours of focused practice every day. The process required thoughtful
research followed by sustained practice.

Some people find it difficult to get started on a new task. This is because they are afraid of doing
something wrong or not knowing how to do things well. Shakespeare addressed this in Measure for
Measure when he wrote, "Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing
to attempt." People should stop worrying about whether they will succeed at something and just try it
instead.

It's easier to learn a new skill than it seems. Just do it, and you'll be surprised at how quickly you can pick
up a new skill. Conduct your research on the topic and then practice for 20 hours or more until you're
proficient at that skill. Once you've achieved proficiency, continue practicing regularly in order to
maintain your skillset.

Learning anything new is difficult. If you work hard and practice, it will definitely become easier. Don't
give up if you don't get it right away; just keep trying!

Full Summary of The First 20 Hours

In this chapter, you will learn that it's possible to become good at a skill in just 20 hours. You'll also be
able to discover how much time is needed, as well as what tools are important for success. This chapter
will teach you the importance of practicing and how quantity can lead to quality.

Big Idea #1: Learn the basics of anything in 20 hours by using rapid skill
acquisition.
Many people wish they could learn a new skill, but don't have the time to do so. They may want to play
piano or tennis better, and even try to learn those skills. However, they often give up before getting
started because they believe that it's too late for them to acquire a new skill—but that's simply not true!

In today's world, it is important to be able to learn new skills quickly. By doing so, you can become fairly
good at almost anything in a short amount of time.

If you want to become the next Serena Williams, it will take thousands of hours of practice. Rapid skill
acquisition is about covering the basics rather than becoming a prodigy. However, even 20 hours of

4/7
The First 20 Hours Book Summary, by J. Kaufman
by Allen Cheng - https://www.allencheng.com - Visit for more summaries like this one.

practice on the court can enable you to play against friends and compete in local tournaments.

Let's continue with tennis. You practice for 20 hours, breaking it into daily doses of 60-90 minutes. Once
you've completed the initial 20 hours of practice, it will be easier to continue developing your skill.

If you've ever tried to learn something new, you'll know that the first few hours of practice are often the
hardest. At this stage, it's hard because we get confused and run into problems. However, if we persevere
through those early stages of confusion and trouble-shooting, then our skills will improve quickly.

So how can you make the most of your 20 hours? There are 10 principles to keep in mind when acquiring
skills.

Big Idea #2: Focus all your energy on learning your favorite chosen skill.
It's important to pick the skill you're most interested in learning, because that will help keep your
motivation up. Make a list of skills you'd like to learn and choose one that you feel excited about right
now.

The author analyzed the windsurfing skills of those who had previously taught water sports at a Boy
Scout camp. He was curious about how they got back into the sport since he hadn't been in the sea for
years, even though he had an innate passion for aquatic activities since childhood.

The second principle of rapid skill acquisition is to focus on improving one thing at a time. Trying to
learn multiple skills at once will make you progress very slowly, which will demotivate you from
practicing altogether.

Big Idea #3: Determine the skill level you want to attain and break it down
into smaller parts.
The third principle of rapid skill acquisition is about setting a target performance level. If you can
imagine what you want your performance to look like, it will be easier for you to get there.

So ask yourself what level of performance you want to achieve. For example, if you're learning how to
play the banjo, do you want to be able to play three songs or join a jam session? If you're trying to learn
how to play the ukulele, your goal might be that by a certain time period (for instance ten days), you'll be
able to perform at an event with friends. You can use this as an opportunity for public speaking practice
and demonstrate rapid skill acquisition.

The fourth principle of rapid skill acquisition is to break up your desired skill into smaller parts that you
can tackle individually. This way, progress will be easier and faster.

The author learned the ukulele by first studying its anatomy and then learning how to tune it. He only
began to learn chords after that.

When the time came for his performance, he was able to play the song perfectly.

5/7
The First 20 Hours Book Summary, by J. Kaufman
by Allen Cheng - https://www.allencheng.com - Visit for more summaries like this one.

Big Idea #4: Acquire the tools you need and limit distractions.
So, you've decided to pursue a skill. However, you need the tools to do so. If you want to learn how to
play tennis, for example, you need a racket and if you want to learn how to operate a helicopter, then that
requires access.

It's important to figure out what you'll need in order to learn a new skill. You may need a board, helmet
and wetsuit for windsurfing or a paddleboard and paddle for stand up paddling. If you want to use a sail,
you'll need more practice standing on the board first.

The sixth principle is to identify barriers that might prevent you from acquiring the skill. Are there any
emotional roadblocks, such as fear or self-doubt? Distractions can also get in your way.

There are many ways to overcome obstacles. For example, if you're afraid of something, try to eliminate
the fear by shutting out distractions and identifying your fears.

When the author started windsurfing, he was worried that it could be dangerous. He thought about
hypothermia and drowning. To get rid of those concerns, he read up on them and bought a suitable
wetsuit to protect himself from low water temperatures. He also decided to always have someone else
present when he windsurfed – even if they just sat on the shore – so there would always be help available
if something went wrong.

Big Idea #5: Make time to practice and give yourself feedback.
It's important to practice skills regularly, even if it seems impossible to find the time. It's better to try than
not at all. This is the seventh principle of rapid skill acquisition.

In order to practice a skill, you have to find time. If you don't like an activity or it makes you restless, cut
that out of your schedule and focus on practicing the skill.

To learn a new skill quickly, you have to make sure that you're getting feedback on your progress.

If you're trying to learn Chinese, it's important to figure out how you can get feedback so that you can
assess your progress and adjust if necessary.

If you can, hire a coach to help you improve your speaking skills. They can give you feedback almost
instantly and will make it easier for you to spot your own mistakes.

The author learned how to play a game called Go. He used software that gave him feedback on his every
move, which helped him learn the nuances of the game much faster and identify his weaknesses.

Big Idea #6: Practice in short bursts and prioritize quantity and speed.
Mondays are the worst because they seem never-ending. After having fun on a Friday or Saturday, it's
torture to have to work all day again. It's also inefficient and draining to do anything for too long.

6/7
 The First 20 Hours Book Summary, by J. Kaufman
by Allen Cheng - https://www.allencheng.com - Visit for more summaries like this one.

Therefore, you should only practice something difficult in short intervals of time so that you don't get
overwhelmed by it.

The ninth principle of learning a new skill is that practicing for short periods of time can be more
effective than long practice sessions. When you first start to learn something, it feels like the task is very
difficult and time consuming. However, as you continue with your practice sessions over time, they seem
easier and faster because your skills improve over time.

To get around this, set a timer for 20 minutes and practice during that time. That way, you'll know exactly
how much time you've spent practicing and it will motivate you to do your best in that period of time. Do
three to five of these blocks throughout the day and you'll be amazed at how quickly you progress.

The tenth principle of rapid skill acquisition is to focus on practicing a lot, quickly, not on attaining
perfection. As a beginner, you're not going to be an expert from the very start. Therefore, you should
practice as much as possible and try to speed up your progress while avoiding frustration or demotivation
due to inevitable setbacks.

The author learned how to windsurf by starting with the basics. He wasn't very good at it and fell off his
board a lot when he was first learning; however, instead of giving up or expecting perfection from the
beginning, he focused on getting as much practice in as possible before the season ended. As a result, he
picked up this new hobby that had seemed so daunting before.

In order to rapidly learn a new skill, you need to keep in mind the ten principles of rapid skill acquisition.
If you want to be successful at learning a new skill, find your equivalent of windsurfing and go after it!

Like this book summary? Visit www.allencheng.com for more.

7/7

Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)