Overlearning means learning more about a subject than the minimum necessary; also practicing a skill above and beyond achieving threshold mastery. The theory being that overlearning drives the knowledge even deeper, that even if you forget some of it or get rusty, you will still have sufficient learning to be competent.

I’ve always been a voracious overlearner, in part of a love of learning and mastery and in part because of a belief that you never know when you might need it and I’d rather error on the side of knowing too much than too little.

And while every task has it’s grudge elements, as a general rule, if you do not enjoy learning more and more about what ever subject matter that is the focus of your livelihood, it might be a signal that you should consider changing careers.

Closing Quotes:

“Being a student is easy. Learning requires actual work.” – William Crawford

“Study without desire spoils the memory, and it retains nothing that it takes in.” – Leonardo da Vinci, 1452-1519

“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” – Abigail Adams, 1744-1818

As always, I share what I most want and need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier