Here is another valuable Management Tip of the Day from Harvard Business Review. To sign up for a free subscription to any/all HBR newsletters, please click here.

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Talking to yourself can get you funny looks from other people. But muttering under your breath can be a helpful way to learn a new concept or skill.

o When you’re studying something new, either reading about it or listening to others explain it, take the time to pause and summarize out loud what you’re learning.

o This serves two purposes: First, it slows you down — and when you’re more deliberate, you gain more from the learning experience. Second, it cements the new knowledge by forcing you to consider questions like “What do I find confusing? Do I really know this well enough to explain it?”

Whether you hit the pause button while listening to a podcast, or stop to reflect while reading a manual, tell yourself what you’re learning — maybe just don’t do it in public.

Adapted from “Talking to Yourself (Out Loud) Can Help You Learn,” by Ulrich Boser

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Here’s a direct link to dozens of other Management Tips.