Encoding · Part 1

Key ideas

• ▸Encoding feels hard by design — if it doesn't feel uncomfortable, you're probably doing it wrong. Results take days to ~1–2 months.
• ▸Encoding only happens with clear organisational structure — knowing not just what info is, but how it fits.
• ▸Two ladders of thinking: Bloom's taxonomy (remember → understand → apply → analyse → evaluate) and SOLO (which he slightly prefers).
• ▸Jump to higher-order thinking as early as possible — your brain backfills the lower levels on the way.
• ▸Always relate new info to other info and to the big picture — organise the room as you carry things in, don't dump then sort.
• ▸Strong encoders report ~90%+ retention vs the ~40–60% “norm”.

Do this

• Aim to analyse/evaluate (compare, contrast, prioritise) early — not memorise first.
• Don't write anything down until you've worked out how it relates to other concepts and the big picture.
• Train load tolerance: read/listen for progressively longer (up to 15–30 min) without notes, asking “how does this relate?”
• If relationships overwhelm you, drop a notch — just apply the info before trying to evaluate it.

In his words