The First 20 Hours is a book about rapid skill acquisition: how to pick up new skills as fast as humanly possible. You can go from knowing absolutely nothing to performing noticeably well in a very short period of time: approximately 20 hours, often less. The 20-Hour Rule applies to virtually any skill you can imagine. Whether it's speaking a new language, mastering a culinary technique, or picking up a musical instrument, the key lies in focused practice, efficient learning, and overcoming the