"You'll forget most of what you learn. What should you do about that?"

"You'll forget most of what you learn. What should you do about that?"

Have you ever spent hours studying for a test or learning a new skill, only to forget most of it within a few years? It's a frustrating reality that many of us face. In fact, studies have shown that people can lose anywhere between 14% and 85% of their knowledge over time. So, what can you do to combat this forgetfulness and make your learning stick? Let's explore some strategies and insights that can help you retain what you learn for the long term.

One key takeaway comes from a speech by Ben Silbermann at Startup School 2012. In his talk, Silbermann shares valuable advice and lessons he learned while building his successful startup, Pinterest. One of the key points he emphasizes is the importance of perseverance and commitment when it comes to building something worthwhile. Silbermann notes that it takes a really long time to build things of value, and that it's easy to make excuses not to start. However, he realized that the only variable holding him back was himself.

This concept of personal accountability and taking action is further highlighted by the advice Silbermann received from his girlfriend at the time, who later became his wife. She told him, "You should either do it or just stop talking about it." This simple yet powerful statement pushed Silbermann to take the leap and start his startup. It serves as a reminder that talking about our goals and dreams is not enough; we need to take action and put in the work to make them a reality.

When it comes to making important decisions, Silbermann advises against taking all the advice you receive. Instead, he suggests trusting data, users, and your own instincts. This highlights the importance of gathering information and insights from multiple sources, but ultimately making decisions based on what resonates with your goals and vision. Silbermann and his team at Pinterest found success by focusing on one key aspect: making collections look beautiful. By honing in on this specific area, they were able to create a unique and visually appealing platform that attracted users.

Another interesting point Silbermann makes is that sometimes, it doesn't matter if something makes sense to everyone. What truly matters is if it makes sense to someone. In the case of Pinterest, Silbermann admits that initially, it didn't make sense to them why anyone would use their platform. However, they recognized that it resonated with a specific group of users, and that was what really mattered. This insight reminds us that not everyone will understand or appreciate our ideas, but as long as they resonate with a target audience, they can still be successful.

So, what actionable advice can we take from Silbermann's experiences and insights? Here are three key takeaways:

1. Take personal accountability: Stop making excuses and take action towards your goals. If you keep putting off your dreams, you'll never achieve them. Start today.

2. Trust your instincts: While advice from others can be valuable, ultimately, you need to trust your own judgment and instincts. Gather information, but make decisions based on what aligns with your vision.

3. Focus on your niche: Instead of trying to appeal to everyone, find your unique offering and focus on making it exceptional. By catering to a specific audience, you can create a strong and loyal following.

In conclusion, the reality that we forget most of what we learn over time can be disheartening. However, by taking inspiration from Ben Silbermann's experiences and lessons, we can adopt strategies to make our learning stick. By taking personal accountability, trusting our instincts, and focusing on our niche, we can increase the likelihood of retaining and applying what we learn for the long term. So, let's stop talking about our dreams and start taking action towards them.