Traditionally, we tend to think the only way to learn more is either through practice or theory. Either, we do more – or we study more – and that’s about it.

While this is essentially true, it’s worth noting that there is much more to learning than theory and practice. It’s the habits we create, day in and day out, that defines what we learn in the long haul. If you read 15 minutes every day, you’ll probably know much more than the person sitting next to you. If you write 10 sentences every day, you’ll probably write better than someone who writes nothing.

For those who want to, some habits work better than most. Here they are.

1- Creating

All well regarded experts have a unanimous agreement on this, when they say that you need to practice something for 10,000 hours to become an actual expert and gain recognition in your field.

Whether this number is right or not is not the point, but it sure does give you an excellent reason to start counting those hours today.

2- Competing

Competing with someone is one of the best if not the best motivators out there. Once you know someone else is chasing after the same thing that you are, you go way over your head to catch it first.

The fact that you know someone else is trying to win a design contest will make you try harder, do your best and then some — which is something you’re simply not inclined to do when working alone.

The bottom-line being, competition makes you grow as a designer.

3- Switching projects

We always gain experience by wrestling with different problems and obstacles. It would be impossible to learn anything new if we stayed at home the whole time.

The same thing applies to your design ability. If you keep doing only logos, or only websites, or only illustrations, you’ll surely get good at it — but you’ll also limit your creativity, keeping you away from the design knowledge and experience waiting for you.

So, what you should do is change the projects you do occasionally. Use the experience you gain to grow your understanding of design and become even better at projects you prefer doing.

4- Switching styles

We are creatures of habit, and designers are probably the worst kind — they keep doing the same things to their artwork, which eventually gives them their “style”.

While having a style is a very good thing for a painter or musician, for designers it’s kind of a hindrance. This job is different from art because it requires you to adapt your style to requirements of the project and its audience. This is very hard, because it asks you to deliberately ignore your own preferences in favor of doing the right thing. But it does eventually pay off.

Switch styles often, and learn to design for the project, not for your own taste because this is what graphic design is about.

5- Imitating

Imitation is a form of social learning which basically means that we mimic what other people do, so we don’t have to start doing things from scratch.

In design, this means you’re free to use the layouts, styles and typeface combinations you may have seen somewhere else because if it works, why bother inventing it all over again? In fact, imitating the approach of more advanced designers out there will surely give you instant improvement in the quality of your work.

6- Reflecting

When you look back at certain things that happened in your past you will always find something new to learn, some insights that may have never occurred before.

Reflection is a powerful learning device and it works just as well for design work. It’s totally worth to occasionally look at projects you’ve done months or years before, and see the mistakes you’ve made. You’ll understand the progress you’ve made, and more importantly, where you need to go from there, is there a room for improvement and if so, what steps you can take in that regard.

8- Studying

It’s true that you don’t really need an education to get ahead in this industry because if you’re talented, you can do very well just by doing, and no one will ever ask you for your educational background. That’s how it goes with visual arts.

But even if so, studying is indispensable. Whether you decide to do it by reading some good design books, or by taking an online course or college, education always makes you better at what you do.

9- Perfecting

Rehearse. Rehearse. Rehearse.

You should not stop working and re-working until your design “works”. If something doesn’t look right, trash it and start all over, even if it takes weeks to complete.

The only thing that counts is the result and not the time you’ve put in. You must perfect it until its perfect.

Good learning habits can prove to be a powerful tool to master design, particularly if you practice them long enough for them to become like second nature to you. Just pick a few from the list above and start tackling them 15 minutes a day and you will surely notice the difference in your work in some time.