I used to believe intelligence was something you were either born with or not. Some people seemed to absorb information effortlessly, while I struggled to remember what I read, got distracted easily, and felt like my brain was running on outdated software.

Then I came across “Limitless” by Jim Kwik, and everything changed. The book shattered what I thought I knew about learning, memory, and personal growth. It made me realize that our brains are not fixed—they are designed to adapt, grow, and evolve. The key is knowing how to use them properly.

The Three Keys to Unlocking a Limitless Brain

Reaching your full cognitive potential isn’t about being naturally gifted. It comes down to three core areas:

1. Mindset – The beliefs you hold about learning and intelligence.
2. Motivation – The drive and energy that push you to take action.
3. Methods – The strategies that make learning easier and faster.

When one of these is missing, learning feels like a struggle. But when all three work together, you unlock your brain’s full potential.

Mindset: Breaking the Lies That Hold You Back

For years, I told myself things like “I’m just bad at remembering names” or “Some people are naturally smarter than me.” But then I realized something: if I kept believing those things, they would continue to be true. The real problem wasn’t my intelligence—it was my belief system.

There are seven common myths that hold people back from learning:

• Intelligence is fixed – It’s not. The brain is like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it gets.
• We only use 10% of our brains – False. We use all of it, but most of us don’t train it effectively.
• Mistakes are failures – They aren’t. Mistakes are how we learn and grow. “There is no failure, only failure to learn.”
• Knowledge is power – No. Knowledge + Action = Power. Learning means nothing if you don’t apply it.
• Learning new things is difficult – It doesn’t have to be. The right techniques make it much easier.
• The criticism of others matters – It doesn’t. Seeking approval only limits personal growth.
• Genius is born, not made – The world’s greatest minds weren’t born geniuses. They trained themselves through deliberate practice.

Once I let go of these myths, I started to see learning as something I could control. My brain wasn’t broken—it just needed the right mindset.

Motivation: Why Willpower Isn’t Enough

Even after shifting my mindset, I struggled with consistency. I would start strong but lose momentum quickly. I assumed I just wasn’t disciplined enough. But then I learned that motivation isn’t something you passively have—it’s something you create.

Kwik explains motivation as a simple formula:

Motivation = Purpose × Energy × Small Simple Steps

• Purpose gives meaning to what you’re learning. If there’s no strong why, your brain won’t stay engaged.
• Energy is essential because your brain consumes 20% of your body’s energy. Poor sleep, diet, and lack of movement all reduce mental performance.
• Small Simple Steps make learning manageable. If a goal feels overwhelming, procrastination kicks in. But breaking it into tiny, achievable steps builds momentum.

Instead of relying on sheer willpower, I started building habits that made learning automatic. By focusing on my why, improving my physical energy, and simplifying my approach, I finally found a way to stay consistent.

Methods: Learning How to Learn

I always assumed my struggles came from not being smart enough. But in reality, I had just been learning inefficiently. Kwik highlights four major ways the digital world is making us worse at learning:

1. Digital deluge – Information overload leads to mental fatigue.
2. Digital distraction – Constant notifications and multitasking weaken focus.
3. Digital dementia – Relying on Google for everything makes us forgetful.
4. Digital deduction – We let algorithms do our thinking, weakening critical thinking skills.

To counteract this, I started applying Kwik’s FASTER method:

• Forget – Approach learning with a beginner’s mind. Let go of assumptions and distractions.
• Act – Learning is not passive. Take notes, ask questions, and apply what you learn.
• State – Your mood affects retention. Get excited about what you’re learning.
• Teach – Teaching others helps reinforce knowledge. If you can explain it, you truly understand it.
• Enter – Schedule learning into your day. Make it a habit.
• Review – Use spaced repetition to reinforce memory and prevent forgetting.

Once I started applying these principles, I found myself retaining more information, thinking more clearly, and actually enjoying the process of learning.

How I Trained My Brain to Learn Faster – More Methods

Mastering Memory

Memory isn’t about genetics—it’s about using the right techniques. I discovered that visualization makes information easier to remember because the brain processes images better than words. Associating new information with something familiar also strengthens recall, and attaching emotion to a concept makes it more memorable.

Reading Faster Without Losing Comprehension

One of the biggest changes I made was improving my reading speed. I used to subvocalize—reading every word in my head—which slowed me down significantly. By eliminating that habit, avoiding unnecessary regression, and using a visual guide like my finger to move through text faster, I doubled my reading speed in just a few weeks.

Improving Focus in a Distracted World

I had always blamed distractions on my environment, but I realized that focus is a muscle. The more you train it, the stronger it gets. I started creating a distraction-free workspace, using the Pomodoro technique , and practicing deep breathing techniques to reset my mind. My ability to focus improved dramatically, and I found myself completing tasks faster and more efficiently.

Your Brain is Limitless — If You Let It Be

Most people assume they’re stuck with the intelligence they were born with. But Limitless proved otherwise. The right mindset allows you to break through self-imposed barriers. The right motivation keeps you moving forward. And the right methods make learning faster, easier, and more enjoyable.

For years, I unknowingly placed limits on my own potential. But once I challenged those limits, I realized they were never real to begin with. So the question is—what limitations have you been holding onto? And more importantly, what could you achieve if you let them go?

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These are my thoughts on the book “Limitless” by Jim Kwik.