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I used to read a lot, when i wanted to try something new i used to learn everything about it before even starting, result: i got bored on the process and just forget about it or i discovered something similar and then i wanted to learn about that as well… so i never started anything….

So with smart donations i did something different, i picked a book and read just enough to know what i can or cannot do, that means reading just a few paragraphs of each topic, skipping uninteresting chapters and totally avoid doing the exercises (as painful as that might sound).

Following this approach i was able to start coding after around 5 hours of reading, yes the coding was slower because i had to go back to the book in many occasions but every time i went back to that book i went back with more energy and more willing to learn, because  instead of reading just for the sake of learning, i was reading something that i was going to apply immediately i was putting special attention to the chapter because i knew i was going to use it and i wanted to make it right. Result: i have a pretty good (in my opinion) plugin and i have a solid knowledge of WordPress.

This has been working for me so far and it might work for you as well, so the next time you are going to start reading a new book, i recommend you to do this:

1. Make sure you need that knowledge NOW: If you read something that you “might” need chances are that you will never need it or you will forget it before you really need it.
2. Focus only on the chapters that you need: If you are going to do a basic calculator you don’t need to read the geolocation chapter right?.
3. Don’t do the exercises: You already have to do a lot of code, you don’t need more.
4. Get only the essence of the chapter: don’t read it all, unless you KNOW you need it.
5. Keep the book handy until you feel comfortable without it: Go back to the book when you need it, also use Google, it is a great tool for learning.

At this point you might be thinking, yes i will read less but i won’t learn more, but seriously, a knowledge that you don’t not apply is a knowledge that you are going to forget… fast. And i am talking about applying it in something meaningful for you, not only exercises, if you can only apply it in exercises, why you want to learn it in the first place?