Here’s a summary of our six-step approach to deep learning.  A more complete guide is provided in the book: The Deep Learning Manual: the knowledge explorer’s guide to self-discovery in education, work, and life. The goal is to make these steps completely automatic and habitual, and to make school, work and life a continuing journey of discovery and learning. The deep learning cycle consists of six stages: think; observe; enumerate; express; assess; adjust.  Here’s how it works: 1. Think of an idea.  Anything.  Most new discoveries simply start as an idea in someone’s mind.  Be sure to give it a name. 2. Observe that idea directly if you can, or through a book, video, computer simulation, or demonstrated by an instructor or coach.  If there’s no other way, then picture it in your mind.  Not only visually, but using all of your feelings, senses, imagination, and emotions.  Like Einstein, who asked humself, “What would it be like to ride along a beam of light?” 3. Mentally enumerate what you’ve observed.  In other words, think of the various aspects of what you’re observing.  Be sure to make each aspect totally different from the the others.  We call this process descriptive enumeration. 4. Express in your own handwriting what you’ve observed and experienced.  Read what you’ve written.  Refine and adjust.  Repeat. Use one or more tools (see Resources) to create, design and organize a knowledge space to help connect your topics and ideas in new and interesting ways.  Organize it visually so you can easily navigate and expand it.  Share it with others. 5. Assess your progress by periodically stepping back and reviewing what you’ve written.  Let your handwritten notes be your teacher.  They’ll give you insights into how deeply you’re learning a particular topic.  They’ll also help you identify what learning behaviors are in play and what adjustments, if any, you’ll need to make. 6. Based on your assessment, think about how you can adjust your deep learning approach.  It could be sharpening your powers of observation.  Or taking steps to overcoming your fear of or disdain for a particular subject.  Keep track of what topics are known and how well, what topics aren’t known, and what topics need further exploration. Repeat. This is just a brief summary of the six stages.  You can’t just change how you learn with the click of a button.  It takes time and effort.  But the rewards are well worth it.