Learn Like a Champion: How to Focus While Studying

Do you know what all great people have in common?

‘What?’

They are eternal students of the game.

You will never see a person who is great in their field saying something like:

“I finally have it all figured out!”

Instead, they continue to study.

Read.

Learn from others.

And so on…

Eternal students of the game.

Burning desire to know more.

In order to know more, they have a study practice.

Do you have a study practice?

‘No, not really. I try to squeeze in some reading every now and then. That’s about it.’

Ah…

So you aren’t making studying a priority.

Let’s learn how to focus while studying so we can be eternal students of the game.

What is Studying?

I wasn’t the best student in formal education.

Average at best when it came to taking tests.

For a long time, I had the wrong perception for studying.

I thought it was sitting in a corner and memorizing a bunch of notes that I mindlessly wrote.

This strategy worked in school.

I was able to pass the class.

However, I did not understand the material.

In school, memorization is rewarded.

In the real world, understanding is.

My definition of studying is:

Acquiring knowledge to apply it practically.

Sure, I can study and memorize all the Presidents of the United States.

But why am I memorizing it for?

I have no practical use for it.

However, if you host a podcast on history, having that knowledge may come in handy.

To study effectively, a vision is required.

Otherwise, you’ll have 0 clue when you’re having your time wasted.

Now that I think about it, studying is a lot like hanging out with toxic people.

‘Yea?’

Yea.

When you have 0 purpose, you have no clue how to spot a toxic person.

That’s when you confuse toxicity as ‘passion.’

With a purpose, you can spot toxicity from 16 miles away.

Likewise, without a vision, all information seems like good information.

How to Focus Better While Studying

‘Alright, Armani. You said a narrative is mandatory for studying?’

Yes.

For me personally, I aim to get better at my communication skills.

That requires me to practice my writing & speaking.

Since I have a hazy target (doesn’t have to be super specific yet) I can draw inspiration from a bunch of other sources.

Over time, I can finetune along the way.

To focus better, perfection is the enemy.

It should be despised, not praised.

Praise the perfecting mentality.

Not perfection mentality.

That’s the philosophy of a level up student.

Perfection makes you want to have all your ducks in a row before you begin.

Perfecting allows you to begin & refine along the way as you get more data.

With that being said, let’s learn some practical ways to focus while studying.

1.  Identify your Preferred Studying Method

Do you know which quote I hate?

‘Which one?’

“How you do one thing is how you do everything.”

I see some utility for that quote.

But it’s flawed.

A guy who struggles with formal education may not succeed in that environment.

But put that same kid in charge of a lemonade stand and watch him dominate.

The kid was not lazy, he was just put in the wrong situation.

You need to find the right situation.

If you hate reading books, then you may find it difficult to focus.

I’m not saying you should never read again.

But make it easier on yourself.

What do you like?

‘I like videos.’

Then study through videos.

Learn the fundamental concepts.

Watch interviews on the field.

Get warmed up.

Then books will be easier to consume in the future.

Remember what we said earlier though.

We aren’t trying to get a gold badge for remembering things.

The name of the game is understanding.

If you “read” 50 books in a field & can’t explain the basic concepts to a 5-year-old.

But you watched 1 interview on a field & know how to directly apply it to your business….

Which one is more optimal?

Think about that.

Find the medium that works best for you.

Expand from there.

That’s how to focus while studying.

2. Cultivate a Plan

If you want to take something seriously, then do the task at the same time every day.

Treat it like brushing your teeth.

This allows you to assimilate this act into your lifestyle.

If you are eating every day, then you should be studying every day.

What food is for the body, information is for the mind.

In the Simplify Personal Orangizer Planner, I take out the guesswork for you.

Rather than winging your routine like a bum….

You will create an objective, fill out timestamps & cross off your to-do list.

A personal organizer planner is an investment to boost your productivity.

Get Simplify Here:

Once you write it down, the plan becomes alive.

This is when your mind focuses on autopilot.

3. Change it Up

Focus does not have to be a boring, lifeless task.

Instead, it can be colorful.

Studying does not have to be a boring, lifeless task.

Instead, it can be colorful.

For me personally, I try to apply concepts that I learned to entertainment.

This is a way of me having fun.

Let me give you an example.

One skill set I aim to get better at is impromptu speaking.

I try to learn more about the topic.

The only problem is that it’s not a topic with too many quality resources on it.

I learn what I can.

Then I’ll watch an entertaining piece of content like Battle Rap.

Every now and then, a Battle Rapper will forget their verse in the middle of a battle.

That’s when they have 2 options.

1. Throw in the towel.
2. Impromptu rap.

As I see them ATTEMPTING to do an impromptu style of communication, I build understanding.

I see the concept that I am trying to learn in a REAL-WORLD setting.

Plus, I get to enjoy some entertainment in the process.

If you cannot apply the concepts that you’re learning to entertainment, how effectively are you studying?

You’re probably using too much willpower.

Traditional self-improvement resources are brainwashing you to not have fun at all.

Poor strategy!

To learn how to focus while studying LONG TERM, incorporate fun & play into the mix.

Fun & curiosity go hand in hand.

Curiosity will allow you to learn in 30 minutes what willpower requires 3 hours for.

Lifelong Student of the Game

Building your concentration skills is a badge of honor.

Especially in the information age.

I saw an amazing tweet recently that said something along the lines of:

“Being in shape in your 40s is a flex.”

I liked the tweet because I was reminded how people prioritize their health more later in their lives.

Especially, when they start making more money.

People in their 40s who are in shape have swag to them.

Cool and composed.

Likewise, it’s the same when you can concentrate at will.

Concentrating for the sake of concentrating is okay.

However, to maximize your concentration powers, STUDY & BUILD.

The great ones never stop learning.

They are eternal students of the game.

To learn how to build your confidence through communication skills, check out the ArmaniTalks Shop.

You’ll find resources on writing, impromptu speaking, social skills & much more!

Overcome the monkey mind & apply your knowledge.

– ArmaniTalks