[nickjj]

I create the shortest possible time loop between consuming something (text, video, etc.) and applying it to a real project or problem. Then shortly after applying it, perhaps at the end of the day I'll write about the process as if I were explaining it to someone who doesn't know about the topic beforehand. If I can't write about it while clearly explaining it while having a complete and total understanding of every word then I go back and research anything on demand to fill in the gaps.

The idea is you consume and apply, then quickly turn a combination of theory + practice into your own words which is proving to yourself that you understand it. The key point there is "you", you don't need to publish the written component to anyone. Its purpose is to force you to come up with unique thoughts to combine this new information into something coherent which I'm sure has some benefit in making your brain remember it (but I have no scientific proof of this). It can also be used as a personalized detailed reference in case you ever forget the details which IMO is much better than scattered notes you tried to quickly write while you listened to or read something.

I don't know if this is a formal way of learning something. It's something I've done for most of my life because it felt intuitive at the time and still does.

[chadbuckmeister]

Having tried and failed repeatedly to learn some new things over the last 8 months mainly due to getting busy and having to divert my attention away for too long too many times your approach is gold. That is the way I intend to learn when I next sit down with ample time.