One of the beliefs I’ve carried with me from a young age is that life is constantly changing. And because of that, I learned early on that I had to adjust, adapt, and grow along the way.
That mindset has stayed with me over the years and it’s why learning new skills has become such an important part of my life.
Even now, in my 40s, I’m still learning. Because the truth is, when life keeps evolving, our skills need to evolve with it.
But over time, I’ve realized something important. It’s not just what you learn, but it’s also how you approach learning that makes all the difference.
Whenever I start something new, I don’t rely on motivation alone. I lean on a few simple learning frameworks that help me stay focused, organized, and consistent even on days when I feel overwhelmed or unsure where to begin.
These are the frameworks I keep coming back to no matter what I’m learning.
The 70-20-10 Learning Model (Doing, Learning from Others, Formal Study)
Over time, I’ve realized that I don’t learn best by just sitting and consuming information. I learn best when I’m doing, observing, and connecting what I learn to real experiences.
That’s why I naturally lean into what’s often called the 70-20-10 model of learning:
- 70% – Learning by doing
- 20% – Learning from others
- 10% – Formal learning
When I think back to when I first started on Pinterest, I can clearly see how this played out for me.
I began by experimenting on my own like testing things, creating pins, and trying to understand the analytics myself. That hands-on experience taught me far more than just reading about strategies ever could.
Then, I started learning from others. I joined Facebook groups with people who were also working on Pinterest, and I connected with freelancers inside a paid community. Just being in those spaces helped me pick up best practices, ideas, and real insights that I wouldn’t have figured out on my own.
And then came the formal learning. One of my clients actually signed me up for a Pinterest course and I remember feeling so grateful for that. It helped me connect the dots, refine what I was already doing, and understand the bigger strategy behind it all.
Looking back, it wasn’t one method that helped me grow. It was the combination of all three.
What I’ve learned is this. If I stay only in “learning mode” and don’t move into “doing mode,” I feel stuck. But when I actively apply, observe, and then learn more, everything starts to make sense.
The Feynman Technique (Teach It to Truly Understand It)
One of the most effective ways I’ve deepened my learning is by simply teaching what I know.
This is often called the Feynman Technique, the idea that if you can explain something clearly and simply, you truly understand it.
I experienced this firsthand in my paid community. At one point, I volunteered in my small accountability group to share what I had been doing on Pinterest. I wasn’t an “expert”. I was just a few steps ahead and willing to share.
But that experience changed a lot for me.
As I prepared to teach:
- I had to organize my thoughts clearly
- I noticed gaps in my understanding
- I simplified what I knew into something others could follow
And when I actually shared it, it didn’t just help others. It helped me. My skills became clearer, more structured, and more solid. And at the same time, my confidence grew because I realized, “I actually know this.”
Since then, I’ve made this part of how I learn:
- I explain concepts out loud (even to myself)
- I write things in simple terms
- I share what I’m learning whenever I can
Because learning doesn’t really settle until you can pass it on.
My Personal Learning Framework (Like an Individual Education Plan)
Because of my background in teaching, I naturally think in terms of structure and personalization when it comes to learning.
And over time, I realized I don’t need a formal classroom to apply that. I can create my own version of an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for myself.
I think of it as my personal learning framework, something that’s flexible, realistic, and designed around how I learn best.
I’ve been applying this a lot with my Nihongo self-learning. Instead of just randomly studying, I take time to think about:
- What exactly do I want to focus on right now? (e.g., vocabulary, grammar, listening)
- What level am I currently at?
- What feels challenging, but still manageable?
Then I adjust my approach based on that.
Some weeks, I focus more on writing and memorization. Other times, I slow down and just review what I’ve already learned.
I also give myself space to adapt. If something isn’t working, I don’t force it—I change the method, the pace, or even the goal.
This approach reminds me that learning doesn’t have to look the same for everyone.
When I personalize my learning like this, it becomes:
- Less overwhelming
- More intentional
- And much more sustainable
Because at the end of the day, the best learning plan is the one you can actually follow.
The Input Shapes Output Framework (Inspired by Stephen Krashen)
One learning idea that really stayed with me comes from Stephen Krashen’s Input Theory.
In simple terms, it suggests that the quality of what we take in, what we read, watch, listen to, shapes the quality of what we produce.
I’ve taken that idea and applied it beyond language learning to how I approach learning any new skill.
I’ve noticed that if I want better output, I need to be intentional about my input.
So I pay attention to what I expose myself to:
- The kind of content I consume
- The people I learn from or interact with
- The materials I choose to study
For example, instead of overwhelming myself with random information, I try to:
- Follow a few people who consistently share quality insights
- Choose structured, well-explained materials
- Spend time with content that actually adds depth, not just noise
I’ve also become more mindful of reducing low-quality input, things that distract, confuse, or don’t really support my learning.
Because over time, I’ve realized this. What I repeatedly take in will eventually show up in what I create, how I think, and how I learn.
So now, I don’t just ask, “What should I learn?”
I also ask, “What am I feeding my mind while I’m learning this?”
The Action Mapping Framework (Learning by Doing with a Purpose)
One of the frameworks I use often, especially when I’m learning something complex, is Action Mapping.
The idea is simple: instead of learning randomly or passively, I map out specific actions that will get me to my learning goal. Every step is connected to a real outcome.
For example, when I was mastering Pinterest strategies, I didn’t just read articles or watch tutorials. I identified exactly what I wanted to achieve, like increasing engagement on my pins, and then mapped out actionable steps: create pins, test descriptions, track analytics, adjust designs.
I also applied this framework to learning the ins and outs of freelancing. In this case, my tangible result was getting a client. So I mapped my actions toward improving the skills that would make that happen:
- Creating a strong portfolio
- Writing compelling proposals
- Sending pitches and following up
- Managing projects efficiently once I got the client
By linking each action to a concrete outcome, I could measure my progress and see how each step contributed to the end goal. Even on low-energy days, I knew that doing just one of these actions moved me closer to actually landing a client.
What I love about Action Mapping is that it keeps me accountable and focused. Learning becomes practical, usable, and measurable, not just theoretical.
Final Thoughts
Over the years, I’ve realized that learning is about having a system that works for you. These frameworks, from experimenting and observing, to teaching, planning, and mapping actions, help me turn learning into something intentional, practical, and sustainable.
No matter the skill, what matters is how you approach learning. When you have a clear process, even the most overwhelming goals start to feel manageable.
The key is to pick one framework, try it, adjust it to your style, and keep showing up. Because growth happens gradually, but consistently.
Which of these learning frameworks resonates with you most right now?
Or do you already have your own system for learning new skills? Share it in the comments. I’d love to hear how you approach learning and what works for you.
Even small tweaks in the way we learn can make a huge difference over time.
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🍀 Let’s Stay Connected
If this post resonated with you, let’s keep in touch. I share more on:
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Let’s connect. I’d love to learn about your journey too!
