Feb 10
11
10 more steps to help your learning
This post is the second of two about helping your learning. You can read the first one; “10 steps to help your learning“. When you’ve read this post don’t forget to add your views in the comments section below, I’m always pleased to hear your views. Your learning has recently moved more into your control and is likely to remain there for the foreseeable future. With that in mind it’s worth keeping an open mind about your learning, how you learn, where you can learn and the many learning opportunities open to you.
I’ve written many times about using your journal diary with your learning, so don’t forget to record your learning; both what you intend to learn and what you have learnt.
1. Believe in yourself
“To succeed, we must first believe that we can.” Michael Korda
Belief is so important to your success; therefore a crucial part of your learning. When you begin to believe you can do something, you can most certainly do it. Speak to many successful celebrity or sports people and they’ll tell you that they win their competition in their head before they can even think about beating their opponent(s). Yes, their biggest opponent is the one in their head!
2. Learn something new everyday
Make sure you learn something new every day, no matter how small, insignificant you think it is; take the learning on board. Record it in your journal diary. Any myth you may have, about the capacity of your brain to learn is exactly that, a myth. Whatever you may think about the capacity of your brain to only hold so much information, forget it. You are the owner of one of the finest computers in the world; capable of learning, holding and retaining any amount of information you require. Like a muscle, your brain needs to be exercised; continuing your learning everyday will do just that.
3. Make sure learning is high in your list of values
Too many times you will see or hear people claim not to be able to learn new things; they’ll claim to be past it, or too old. If you’re guilty of being a member of this group make a commitment to change your attitude. It will mean you have to re-consider some of your values. We all have values; our most important ones are placed further up the hierarchy than the less important values. Identifying how you spend your day and what do you like doing, will help you become clearer about your values. If your learning is lowly placed, you will need to re-assess your commitment to learning. Are you learning want you really want to learn?
4. Read a book about another subject
Rather then spending all your time learning about your chosen subject, spend a some time learning an alternative subject; completely different and unusual. Something that you wouldn’t normally be associated with. Successful sports people undertake other activities, not related to their specialist area. This allows them to rest the muscles they normally use whilst still maintaining their fitness. Your learning is exactly the same.
5. Learn from every situation
You can learn from everything you do, no matter what it is. Whether it’s attending a formal learning environment and learning new skills or have to deal with a difficult person and learn how to be more patient and tolerant. You will be faced with a number of challenges each day; rather than view them as a problem, look at them ‘square on’ and treat them as a learning experience. Consciously ask yourself; “what new skills am I learning here?”. You’ll be surprised how your attitude changes to a more tolerant one as your personal growth moves forward.
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6. Build a mastermind team
I have previously posted on this subject; rather than repeat myself here, you may wish to read the following post. Create a Mastermind Team
7. Respect yourself and your learning
Treat yourself and your learning with respect; if you approach it with a half hearted attitude you will soon become dis-illusioned and de-motivated. This will inevitably lead to failure and learning that has no value to you. Showing respect for your learning will demonstrate to yourself and others that you are serious about it; this will help maintain your energy levels and keep your motivation at a high.
8. Social learning
Learning with others will have a similar effect to building a mastermind team, by default you will have a ready made support mechanism from your peers. This will prove invaluable at times of low motivation; when you’ll have members of your peer group to ‘gee’ you up and make sure you keep on track. It also provides a built in assessment tool; you’ll be able to bounce ideas off your team to reinforce your learning. There’s always the friendly banter and competition between group members; this will push you towards new levels of achievement.
9. Meditate
Meditation has deep roots in Eastern lifestyle, however more recently it has started to make appearances within Western society. Many, many experts (of which I’m not one) have written numerous texts on this subject and how it should be undertaken. So I don’t propose to elaborate much further on it. Personally, I am developing my meditation skills through reading, listening to others and regular practice. If I could say one thing about meditation, it is if your serious about your Personal Growth and Self Development this is one area you will have to consider.
10. Have fun
Whatever you do it’s important to have fun when you are learning. From my experiences of teaching in Further Education (FE) colleges; I saw so many instances of adults, both young and old, who were unable to enjoy their learning. Whether this was due to the system, the teachers, schools or a deep seated belief that they’re not supposed to enjoy learning, I don’t know! Learning is supposed to be fun; put the fun back into your learning, don’t forget you own it!
Thank you for reading this post, please let me know what you think and share your experiences. While you’re here please take the time to sign up for the newsletter or alternatively you may prefer to subscribe for regular updates in your favourite reader or by email.
photo credit: DaveBleasdale
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I think that it is really important to always be learning. Because as soon as we stop, we are no longer moving forward.
Tom, thank you for your comment. I think you've hit the nail on the head there. Learning and growth are 'two peas in the same pod'.
Another great list post.
The big one for me is have fun.
Enjoying what you're learning makes a massive difference to the amount of brain activity going on at the time, allowing your to remember and understand more of what you've done.
Many of us see learning as something that shouldn't be fun and we seem to drum the fun out of other's learning.
Love what you're learning about – get passionate about it and have lots of fun.
That's so true Ben, as an educator how many times have you witnessed a learning environment that lacked 'fun'? It all becomes too serious, at times, which creates a learning block and a lack of enjoyment.