Episode 76: Being a Cookbook Writer: How to Learn New Things

Feb 13, 2020

One of the foundational things I teach to all my students inside the Cookbook Writers Academy is the concept of Being a Cookbook Writer. Part of  "being a cookbook writer" (who gets their cookbook published) is your habits. And last week we talked all about the habit of cooking, and writing, and using your kitchen as your laboratory.  This means that you are most likely either cooking (or baking) and writing a lot during the pre-publication phase of writing a cookbook.

Another foundational part of being a cookbook writer is your willingness to learn new things and to teach yourself new things. And that’s what I want to talk about.

Every day I'm amazed at technology. We have so many opportunities to teach ourselves how to send a newsletter, write a blog, self-publish our cookbooks, run a webinar, set up a sales page, or start a podcast. And as a cookbook writer, there is so much more to learn.

The world is a frontier of knowledge, and our brains have an unlimited capacity to learn. There is so much we can teach ourselves about writing, cooking/baking, or being a cookbook writer.

So how do we get better at... writing? Cooking? Baking? Learning new things? (fill in the blank with whatever you want to teach yourself about)?

Here are 20 ways to teach yourself new things and enhance your learning:

1. Decide to take control and learn about...
2. Read — a lot.
3. Be curious.
4. Watch how-to videos.
5. Thirst for knowledge.
6. Don't just wonder about stuff - find out and then practice.
7. Carry a physical or e-Book with you at all times.
8. Carry a notebook and pen. Take notes — document what's new or exciting.
9. Write a short story about what you are learning.
10. Challenge yourself to learn new things.
11. Eat good food for brain fuel: fruits, veggies, nuts, fish.
12. Exercise to generate increased endorphins help cognition and a feeling of well-being.
13. Order your environment (desk, pantry, closets).
14. Read about new ideas before you go to bed.
15. Focus, focus, focus on what you want to learn.
16. Have a regular and disciplined routine.
17. Devote time and energy to learning.
18. Be resilient - it's the root of success in life.
19. Do more than you are required to do.
20. Read an encyclopedia version of what you want to learn then ask yourself how I could teach this to an elementary school student?

Let's embrace 2020 at the year to teach ourselves something new.

Things We Mention In This Episode:

 

• Download a copy of my Cookbook Writing Roadmap

 

• Please join our Confident Cookbook Writer Facebook Group
• Let’s connect on Instagram @greenapron