The Difference Between Learning and Actually Improving

Many people think that learning means that they are growing. However, learning and improvement are really very different things.

Learning is exposure to information. It occurs when you learn a tutorial, watch a video, take a class, or learn a concept for the first time. It is productive because you are always taking in new concepts. You feel you’re growing, because you’re learning.

However, there is a betterment, which is deeper. It is not about change in behaviour and about skills that are used on the job. Learning is increased when you apply what you have learned in a real situation.

It is at this point that most people stumble.

They continue to learn new frameworks, tools, and concepts, but they don’t use them long enough to make good progress. They jump from one subject to another without going in depth, but rather looking for a “feel good” moment without achieving anything.

A developer may, for instance, have seen several courses on React, know what state management is, and even have followed tutorials to the T. However, if they don’t build anything of their own, solve any problems, or work out bugs by themselves, then their real skill level is not that different.

Improvement is through practice, repetition, and feedback. It is generated through trial and error, and learning from the mistakes. It is based on repetition of a similar act until it becomes second nature.

Another important distinction is learning can be comfortable, whereas improvement can be uncomfortable. Knowing provides you with information. You have to use it when you’re stressed, when there are unknowns, and when there are only limited resources.

If you are seeking to improve instead of learn, change your focus:

Do less, get more!
Study one idea in great depth rather than 10 ideas superficially
Take risks and learn from your mistakes
Determine progress by work produced, not by work done.

Learning is the end of the day, you’ll be knowledgeable.

But what makes you better is improvement.