In order to properly explain my interest in “How to Learn Anything Instantly,” and subsequent review I feel as if I need to explain that I am a recent septic shock survivor. Many survivors find knowledge and abilities that once came easy are now much harder or completely gone. Most doctors will say this is either because of the oxygen deprivation to corresponding areas of the brain and the information and abilities will forever be lost or is a result of the trauma, very similar to PTSD and the skills may or may not come back, if the patient is dedicated enough to put up with the failures and let downs along the way. I am stubborn and refuse to believe I cannot retrain my brain and be the person I once was, so books like this always catch my eye.
While I cannot say this book helped me in any significant capacity I can attest that the theories and processes laid out within the book can lead to the higher level of learning it promises, if the reader is very dedicated. I recognized the strategies laid out very quickly. My parents engaged with me in utilizing these strategies as far back as I can remember my early learning. They, of course, did not use such technical terms. I know as I grew up, and grasped many concepts easily in school, I grew easily bored with typical classroom teaching techniques because they do not cater to those that learn in ways that aren't capable with sit in straight ordered lines, lecture style learning. I was also not patient when I quickly grasped a concept, but still had to wait around for other classmates to catch up before I could move on to the next level or subject.
I use this illustration not to brag about my own intellect, but to caution would be readers that if you are someone that got along well with the ordered style of grade school teaching, this book may be hard for you to understand and grasp the concepts. This is not to say you CAN'T, I'm just saying it will take a dedicated, intentional, committed period of time to acclimate yourself to the style of learning as outlined in this book, through no fault of your own, or the authors. However, even if you have mostly been exposed to traditional learning, and experienced some success this way, BUT can recall ways in which you learned anything because of a memory you could attach to it, this book could be very helpful for you. For example: I have been described as having a photographic LIKE memory. Not completely photographic because I don't constantly grab images to be pulled up later, but when I want to freeze a moment in time for later recollection, I can, especially if I can also engage at least one of my senses and/or an emotion with the image. This book helps readers who are inclined to learn in this manner do so successfully.
I have found in my volunteer work in various classrooms that there are many children who would learn more if they were allowed to step outside the traditional boundaries more, and use their natural learning instincts that are very similar to those laid out in, Instant Learning. Logic leads me to believe that those children can grow up to still have those instincts inside of them and this book would help them a great deal. For those like me, who are hoping it can help us gain back skills lost due to unforeseen issues like septic shock, chemo therapy, or traumatic brain injury I do have to say, we need to keep looking.