I have discussed learning styles, skills, and techniques in several posts.  I thought this time I would share my specific process.

Here is how I do it:

• Full immersion-- I read research and read all I can find on the topic at hand
• Observation of others-- I watch others doing and make mental notes to prepare to do it myself
• Experimentation-- Trial and error, I learn by doing
• Analysis of experience and results-- I look at how I did
• Refinement-- I do it again, but slightly different and hopefully better
• Learning and improving-- I try to learn even more to further improve
• Grounded improvisation-- Once I have the basics and a working approach, I start doing my own thing

The one example that jumps to mind is learning to cook.  These days I don't always have a recipe in front of me-- I just know what works and what to do.  This allows me to innovate and make up "new" recipes.

I believe you can learn to do anything-- you may not achieve expert or professional status, but you can learn the basics and demonstrate a working knowledge-- enough to help yourself.

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