Dr Tom Heaton
@striveseekfind.bsky.social
Doctor | Writer | Educator
Teaching the skills of learning and performance.
Newsletter at http://striveseekfind.substack.com
Website at www.striveseekfind.co.uk
Teaching the skills of learning and performance.
Newsletter at http://striveseekfind.substack.com
Website at www.striveseekfind.co.uk
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Flashcards NOT working? You're probably making these mistakes!
Stop wasting time on flashcards that don't stick. My FREE guide reveals the 6 rules to make them your secret weapon for medical school.
Get instant access 👇
striveseekfind.kit.com/cd20498490
Stop wasting time on flashcards that don't stick. My FREE guide reveals the 6 rules to make them your secret weapon for medical school.
Get instant access 👇
striveseekfind.kit.com/cd20498490
Difficulty isn't a problem for our learning —it's something we should actively look for.
But we need to get the right amount.
In this week's newsletter, I look at the principle of Desirable Difficulty and its key role in all of our learning.
But we need to get the right amount.
In this week's newsletter, I look at the principle of Desirable Difficulty and its key role in all of our learning.
October 12, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Difficulty isn't a problem for our learning —it's something we should actively look for.
But we need to get the right amount.
In this week's newsletter, I look at the principle of Desirable Difficulty and its key role in all of our learning.
But we need to get the right amount.
In this week's newsletter, I look at the principle of Desirable Difficulty and its key role in all of our learning.
Just like muscles, your brain physically changes with training.
It grows, adjusts, and optimises itself.
And, just like in the gym, the quality of your training affects the outcome.
Focus on the skill of learning.
It grows, adjusts, and optimises itself.
And, just like in the gym, the quality of your training affects the outcome.
Focus on the skill of learning.
October 11, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Just like muscles, your brain physically changes with training.
It grows, adjusts, and optimises itself.
And, just like in the gym, the quality of your training affects the outcome.
Focus on the skill of learning.
It grows, adjusts, and optimises itself.
And, just like in the gym, the quality of your training affects the outcome.
Focus on the skill of learning.
Human achievement has skyrocketed.
What was "world-class" 50 years ago is often common today.
There probably are limits to what humans can do, but we keep redefining these.
What are the boundaries that you have set for yourself?
What was "world-class" 50 years ago is often common today.
There probably are limits to what humans can do, but we keep redefining these.
What are the boundaries that you have set for yourself?
October 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Human achievement has skyrocketed.
What was "world-class" 50 years ago is often common today.
There probably are limits to what humans can do, but we keep redefining these.
What are the boundaries that you have set for yourself?
What was "world-class" 50 years ago is often common today.
There probably are limits to what humans can do, but we keep redefining these.
What are the boundaries that you have set for yourself?
Stop waiting for "talent" to strike!
The truth about expertise isn't about innate gifts, but deliberate practice.
Your potential is far greater than you imagine.
What skill are you poised to unlock through focused effort?
The truth about expertise isn't about innate gifts, but deliberate practice.
Your potential is far greater than you imagine.
What skill are you poised to unlock through focused effort?
October 11, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Stop waiting for "talent" to strike!
The truth about expertise isn't about innate gifts, but deliberate practice.
Your potential is far greater than you imagine.
What skill are you poised to unlock through focused effort?
The truth about expertise isn't about innate gifts, but deliberate practice.
Your potential is far greater than you imagine.
What skill are you poised to unlock through focused effort?
Reposted by Dr Tom Heaton
Flashcards NOT working? You're probably making these mistakes!
Stop wasting time on flashcards that don't stick. My FREE guide reveals the 6 rules to make them your secret weapon for medical school.
Get instant access 👇
striveseekfind.kit.com/cd20498490
Stop wasting time on flashcards that don't stick. My FREE guide reveals the 6 rules to make them your secret weapon for medical school.
Get instant access 👇
striveseekfind.kit.com/cd20498490
October 5, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Flashcards NOT working? You're probably making these mistakes!
Stop wasting time on flashcards that don't stick. My FREE guide reveals the 6 rules to make them your secret weapon for medical school.
Get instant access 👇
striveseekfind.kit.com/cd20498490
Stop wasting time on flashcards that don't stick. My FREE guide reveals the 6 rules to make them your secret weapon for medical school.
Get instant access 👇
striveseekfind.kit.com/cd20498490
Flashcards NOT working? You're probably making these mistakes!
Stop wasting time on flashcards that don't stick. My FREE guide reveals the 6 rules to make them your secret weapon for medical school.
Get instant access 👇
striveseekfind.kit.com/cd20498490
Stop wasting time on flashcards that don't stick. My FREE guide reveals the 6 rules to make them your secret weapon for medical school.
Get instant access 👇
striveseekfind.kit.com/cd20498490
October 5, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Flashcards NOT working? You're probably making these mistakes!
Stop wasting time on flashcards that don't stick. My FREE guide reveals the 6 rules to make them your secret weapon for medical school.
Get instant access 👇
striveseekfind.kit.com/cd20498490
Stop wasting time on flashcards that don't stick. My FREE guide reveals the 6 rules to make them your secret weapon for medical school.
Get instant access 👇
striveseekfind.kit.com/cd20498490
Understanding what "learning" actually is can hugely help us do it better.
Ultimately, it has 4 core components:
1. Developing KNOWLEDGE or SKILL
2. That is STABLE over time
3. Which is INTERNALISED
4. For FUTURE problem solving
Is your approach to learning including all these dimensions?
Ultimately, it has 4 core components:
1. Developing KNOWLEDGE or SKILL
2. That is STABLE over time
3. Which is INTERNALISED
4. For FUTURE problem solving
Is your approach to learning including all these dimensions?
October 4, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Understanding what "learning" actually is can hugely help us do it better.
Ultimately, it has 4 core components:
1. Developing KNOWLEDGE or SKILL
2. That is STABLE over time
3. Which is INTERNALISED
4. For FUTURE problem solving
Is your approach to learning including all these dimensions?
Ultimately, it has 4 core components:
1. Developing KNOWLEDGE or SKILL
2. That is STABLE over time
3. Which is INTERNALISED
4. For FUTURE problem solving
Is your approach to learning including all these dimensions?
A major way that we can improve our learning is to make it ACTIVE.
Most of our "learning" is far to passive to actually be retained.
How can we do this?
Make it challenging.
Make it interesting.
Make it memorable.
Most of our "learning" is far to passive to actually be retained.
How can we do this?
Make it challenging.
Make it interesting.
Make it memorable.
October 3, 2025 at 9:02 PM
A major way that we can improve our learning is to make it ACTIVE.
Most of our "learning" is far to passive to actually be retained.
How can we do this?
Make it challenging.
Make it interesting.
Make it memorable.
Most of our "learning" is far to passive to actually be retained.
How can we do this?
Make it challenging.
Make it interesting.
Make it memorable.
Your brain is more plastic than you think.
While genetics play a starting role, your ability to learn and grow is largely within your control.
Learning literally changes your brain's structure.
While genetics play a starting role, your ability to learn and grow is largely within your control.
Learning literally changes your brain's structure.
September 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Your brain is more plastic than you think.
While genetics play a starting role, your ability to learn and grow is largely within your control.
Learning literally changes your brain's structure.
While genetics play a starting role, your ability to learn and grow is largely within your control.
Learning literally changes your brain's structure.
Stop waiting for "talent" to strike!
The truth about expertise isn't about innate gifts, but deliberate practice.
Your potential is far greater than you imagine.
You just need to know how to do it.
The truth about expertise isn't about innate gifts, but deliberate practice.
Your potential is far greater than you imagine.
You just need to know how to do it.
September 13, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Stop waiting for "talent" to strike!
The truth about expertise isn't about innate gifts, but deliberate practice.
Your potential is far greater than you imagine.
You just need to know how to do it.
The truth about expertise isn't about innate gifts, but deliberate practice.
Your potential is far greater than you imagine.
You just need to know how to do it.
"I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship"
Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott
September 2, 2025 at 9:04 PM
"I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship"
Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott
Expertise boils down to effective mental representations.
How well can you internalize, organize, and recall vast amounts of information instantly?
How are you actively improving your mental models?
How well can you internalize, organize, and recall vast amounts of information instantly?
How are you actively improving your mental models?
August 30, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Expertise boils down to effective mental representations.
How well can you internalize, organize, and recall vast amounts of information instantly?
How are you actively improving your mental models?
How well can you internalize, organize, and recall vast amounts of information instantly?
How are you actively improving your mental models?
Don't confuse "doing" with "getting better."
Naive practice often leads to plateaus, not progress.
Are you truly practicing, or just going through the motions?
Naive practice often leads to plateaus, not progress.
Are you truly practicing, or just going through the motions?
August 30, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Don't confuse "doing" with "getting better."
Naive practice often leads to plateaus, not progress.
Are you truly practicing, or just going through the motions?
Naive practice often leads to plateaus, not progress.
Are you truly practicing, or just going through the motions?
Don't waste time with "brain training" games.
The evidence shows that improvements are focal.
You can't make your entire brain "stronger" like a muscle.
The best way to improve a skill is to practice that specific skill.
The evidence shows that improvements are focal.
You can't make your entire brain "stronger" like a muscle.
The best way to improve a skill is to practice that specific skill.
August 28, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Don't waste time with "brain training" games.
The evidence shows that improvements are focal.
You can't make your entire brain "stronger" like a muscle.
The best way to improve a skill is to practice that specific skill.
The evidence shows that improvements are focal.
You can't make your entire brain "stronger" like a muscle.
The best way to improve a skill is to practice that specific skill.
Flashcards are one of the core tools for learning.
Here, I look at some of the nuances for getting the most out of them.
open.substack.com/pub/strivese...
Here, I look at some of the nuances for getting the most out of them.
open.substack.com/pub/strivese...
The Science and Art of Flashcards
How to study smarter, not harder
open.substack.com
August 28, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Flashcards are one of the core tools for learning.
Here, I look at some of the nuances for getting the most out of them.
open.substack.com/pub/strivese...
Here, I look at some of the nuances for getting the most out of them.
open.substack.com/pub/strivese...
Are you making this common mistake?
Cramming for an exam feels effective because you can pass a test the next day.
But skills and knowledge learned this way decay faster and are less flexible for future use.
Avoid the cram session; embrace the spaced-out study.
Cramming for an exam feels effective because you can pass a test the next day.
But skills and knowledge learned this way decay faster and are less flexible for future use.
Avoid the cram session; embrace the spaced-out study.
August 27, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Are you making this common mistake?
Cramming for an exam feels effective because you can pass a test the next day.
But skills and knowledge learned this way decay faster and are less flexible for future use.
Avoid the cram session; embrace the spaced-out study.
Cramming for an exam feels effective because you can pass a test the next day.
But skills and knowledge learned this way decay faster and are less flexible for future use.
Avoid the cram session; embrace the spaced-out study.
The ability to learn is not fixed.
The growth mindset—the belief that your abilities can be developed through effort—is a "cognitive multiplier."
It can transform your outcomes by encouraging you to embrace continuous learning.
Are you working with a growth mindset or a fixed one?
The growth mindset—the belief that your abilities can be developed through effort—is a "cognitive multiplier."
It can transform your outcomes by encouraging you to embrace continuous learning.
Are you working with a growth mindset or a fixed one?
August 26, 2025 at 10:14 AM
The ability to learn is not fixed.
The growth mindset—the belief that your abilities can be developed through effort—is a "cognitive multiplier."
It can transform your outcomes by encouraging you to embrace continuous learning.
Are you working with a growth mindset or a fixed one?
The growth mindset—the belief that your abilities can be developed through effort—is a "cognitive multiplier."
It can transform your outcomes by encouraging you to embrace continuous learning.
Are you working with a growth mindset or a fixed one?
We have an inbuilt "hunger for narrative." We want to make everything a story and dislike randomness.
While this can help us make connections, it can also lead to cognitive biases and misremembering things.
Be aware of the stories you're telling yourself about your learning.
While this can help us make connections, it can also lead to cognitive biases and misremembering things.
Be aware of the stories you're telling yourself about your learning.
August 25, 2025 at 6:52 PM
We have an inbuilt "hunger for narrative." We want to make everything a story and dislike randomness.
While this can help us make connections, it can also lead to cognitive biases and misremembering things.
Be aware of the stories you're telling yourself about your learning.
While this can help us make connections, it can also lead to cognitive biases and misremembering things.
Be aware of the stories you're telling yourself about your learning.
The single most powerful tool for learning isn't a textbook, it's a test.
Taking a quiz, even an informal one, does more than just assess what you know—it actively strengthens your memory and helps you identify your knowledge gaps.
Next time you study, don't just read. Quiz yourself
Taking a quiz, even an informal one, does more than just assess what you know—it actively strengthens your memory and helps you identify your knowledge gaps.
Next time you study, don't just read. Quiz yourself
August 25, 2025 at 3:43 PM
The single most powerful tool for learning isn't a textbook, it's a test.
Taking a quiz, even an informal one, does more than just assess what you know—it actively strengthens your memory and helps you identify your knowledge gaps.
Next time you study, don't just read. Quiz yourself
Taking a quiz, even an informal one, does more than just assess what you know—it actively strengthens your memory and helps you identify your knowledge gaps.
Next time you study, don't just read. Quiz yourself
Think learning is a passive process? Think again.
The most effective learning is effortful. When you struggle to retrieve information, you're actually strengthening the neural pathways that make that knowledge "stick."
Don't run from the struggle; embrace it.
The most effective learning is effortful. When you struggle to retrieve information, you're actually strengthening the neural pathways that make that knowledge "stick."
Don't run from the struggle; embrace it.
August 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Think learning is a passive process? Think again.
The most effective learning is effortful. When you struggle to retrieve information, you're actually strengthening the neural pathways that make that knowledge "stick."
Don't run from the struggle; embrace it.
The most effective learning is effortful. When you struggle to retrieve information, you're actually strengthening the neural pathways that make that knowledge "stick."
Don't run from the struggle; embrace it.
What if everything you've been taught about learning is wrong?
The most common study habits—like rereading and highlighting—create a false sense of mastery.
It feels easy, but it’s an illusion of knowledge.
To truly learn, you have to break through that illusion.
The most common study habits—like rereading and highlighting—create a false sense of mastery.
It feels easy, but it’s an illusion of knowledge.
To truly learn, you have to break through that illusion.
August 24, 2025 at 5:15 PM
What if everything you've been taught about learning is wrong?
The most common study habits—like rereading and highlighting—create a false sense of mastery.
It feels easy, but it’s an illusion of knowledge.
To truly learn, you have to break through that illusion.
The most common study habits—like rereading and highlighting—create a false sense of mastery.
It feels easy, but it’s an illusion of knowledge.
To truly learn, you have to break through that illusion.
Want to get better, faster?
Purposeful practice is your secret weapon.
Set clear goals, get feedback, and consistently push outside your comfort zone.
Purposeful practice is your secret weapon.
Set clear goals, get feedback, and consistently push outside your comfort zone.
August 23, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Want to get better, faster?
Purposeful practice is your secret weapon.
Set clear goals, get feedback, and consistently push outside your comfort zone.
Purposeful practice is your secret weapon.
Set clear goals, get feedback, and consistently push outside your comfort zone.
So, what's your next step?
Stop looking for the talent you think you lack, and start building the environment you need.
Stop looking for the talent you think you lack, and start building the environment you need.
August 22, 2025 at 5:44 PM
So, what's your next step?
Stop looking for the talent you think you lack, and start building the environment you need.
Stop looking for the talent you think you lack, and start building the environment you need.
“Until you make your unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”
CG Jung
CG Jung
August 21, 2025 at 9:08 PM
“Until you make your unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”
CG Jung
CG Jung
The way we train has the major impact on our outcomes.
Deliberate Practice is the pinnacle.
open.substack.com/pub/strivese...
Deliberate Practice is the pinnacle.
open.substack.com/pub/strivese...
Deliberate Practice In Action: 7 Steps to Improve Your Training
In his pioneering research into human excellence, K.
open.substack.com
August 21, 2025 at 9:55 AM
The way we train has the major impact on our outcomes.
Deliberate Practice is the pinnacle.
open.substack.com/pub/strivese...
Deliberate Practice is the pinnacle.
open.substack.com/pub/strivese...