Imagine that you’ve just learned a new task. You now have 15 minutes that you can either spend practicing the task or thinking about what you’ve learned. Which would you choose?
Research indicates that most people would choose to practice. But it also suggests that this may not be the best choice.
A recent study demonstrated that people who spend some time reflecting on what they’ve learned actually perform better than those who jump right into practicing. When you reflect on what you’ve learned, you can identify patterns, recognize where mistakes are most likely to occur, figure out new and better ways to do certain things, and gain confidence in your ability to perform the new task. All of these things will help you to perform the task more efficiently and effectively.
This doesn’t mean that practice is a bad thing. It’s invaluable. But it’s even more effective when combined with reflection.
So when you learn a new task, take some time to think about it! It can help you to retain the new information and perform the task better.
Stefano, G. D., Gino, F., Pisano, G., & Staats, B. (2015). Learning by thinking: overcoming the bias for action through reflection. Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 14-093.
