> I don't know enough to separate the wheat from the chaff, and still barely understand what I'm doing. Many times one can succeed by blindly following a process without understanding, and over time that understanding arrives, aided by repetition and application of the examples. > > Folks learn differently with different ways. This was not an effective teaching technique for me.

I think that's kind of the point. Everyone can learn using the method you describe (it's mainly how I go about it), but everyone can also learn the "proper" way. It just requires more commitment and belief in yourself upfront.