Feb 10
8
10 steps to help your learning
The importance of continuing your learning, beyond any formal training, has been highlighted numerous times on this blog. So it comes as no surprise that I feel the need to write about it again; this time I have put together a suggested list of 10 steps to help your learning. This is the first of two posts; watch out for the second one, coming soon. Please feel free to add your own and write about them in the comments at the end of the post.
1. Make a plan
Planning is not everybody’s most favourite task, however in order to make your life easier it’s an important element of your learning. Without a plan how can you possible know what you’re doing and where you’re going to.
2. Make a note of what you need to learn
Journal keep is an important criteria in your Personal Development; when you keep track or record your progress it allows you to review your growth at a later date. Decide what you need to learn and how you are going to use your new learning. Use your journal diary.
3. Put into practice what you learn
Knowledge is a great element to have, however it becomes completely meaningless without following it up with the required action. Put your new learning to good use with the required action.
4. Make a note of what you have learnt
This is a continuation of no. 2, “make a note of what you need to learn”. Making a note of what you have learnt will reinforce your learning and assist you with your review sessions. This will prevent your new learning from becoming a meaningless exercise. Use your journal diary.
5. Share your learning
When you’ve learnt something new; tell others about it and share it with them. This will also reinforce your new learning and allow you to demonstrate your understanding.
6. Use your learned skills wisely
Gaining knowledge and not using it, is not the behaviour of a wise man. In fact it’s probably defeats the object of undertaking the learning in the first place. When you’ve completed an element of your learning, refer back to your journal; that’s where you can record why you are learning, what are you going to do with your new learning.
7. Do something special for somebody
Showing gratitude for something you have received is an important part of your personal development. From a development point of view and the Law of Attraction (LOA) principle; whatever you send out is what you get back. If you spend time supporting people who are in need, without the expectancy of receiving; you will receive a similar gesture in return, when you are also in need.
8. Be prepared to challenge previous learning
As you progress with your learning and begin to take on new knowledge, which won’t always fit in with your previous learning. The time has now come for you to critically analyse your knowledge and decide what stays and what goes. Challenge those old beliefs!
9. Be selective who you include in your team
As you continue with your learning and build your confidence you will become a requested and much sought after commodity. Whilst I am ‘preaching’ the ideals of sharing your skills with others; I’m not suggesting you should disrespect yourself. The hard facts are, they are people who will take advantage of your skills and good nature; so it’s important to be careful who you work with and not let them take advantage of you.
10. Mix with similar people
Mixing with like minded people; other people who are also focused on personal development, will help you to continue your growth in a suitable environment. This circle of friends will create an atmosphere filled with a positive learning energy; supportive to your cause.
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: KrissZPhotography
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View Comments "10 steps to help your learning"
This post was really insightful! I especially love your point about who you let into your group. I am all for helping people, but some people just want everything for free.
Tom, thank you for your comment. Yes, it's important to consider others but still not to get carried away with our generosity to the extent of allowing it to be abused.
What a great list Paul
Being an educator myself I spend my days convincing others of life long learning.
I particularly like number 5 and number 8.
Nothing cements learning more for me than sharing it with someone else. I think that might be why I like teaching so much because it confirms my own learning.
Also not fearing to have your previous knowledge to be challenge is really important and something that a lot people struggle to come to terms with.
Mick, Thanks for returning it's great to see you back. Also thanks for your comment. Yes you're right, people's learning is so often unplanned and chaotic. Glad you like the structure. Watch out for a follow up post!
Ben, thanks for your comment. It's always good to see fellow educators add their valuable comments to the posts. Yes 5 and 8 are particularly poignant, Share and Challenge; a blog post may be!!!
Sounds like a great idea Paul!
I think your structured approach is pretty important…we have been exploring professional development options, as it has been pretty nonexistent as of late at the software company I work for. Our setting is more of one in which the big egos take over training sessions, and little gets done. The sharing of information is what needs attention.
Thanks for the post…I think you have hit the nail on the head.
Thank you for your comment. The situation you describe is so common in many organisations; it tends to be a case of paying lip service to the process.
Funny thing is, that point is the one I have issues with.
If I, as an individual, have no problem with sharing my knowledge, skills, whatever and so long as I don't allow that sharing to cause me grief or dominate my life (i.e learning to say NO) then why should we limit our generosity?
Stuart, thanks for leaving a comment. A bit of a dilemma really; the solution I feel is based on your interpretation.
Sharing is sharing and considers responses from the receiver. If sharing is taking place without a response; does it provide feedback of not being appreciated and therefore maybe not required. I'm not one for limiting generosity unless it's clearly not required.
I think we should only limit our generosity to certain people if it's becoming clear that we're just being abused. This is in fact a relatively rare occurance because most people are genuine people who want help. Many of them who come across as receivers who don't give back are usually just unaware of how to give back and so our generosity can teach them how.
You are missing one point though. “Be Interested In What You Learn”
By having this attitude, you want to know more. If you don't want to learn about the topic and you have to learn it, you will probably doze of, or think about something else.
For example, I love technology, but if you put me in a lecture learning about the human body, I wouldn't be able to learn anything. I would be so bored and be thinking about other things.
Jack,
Thanks for adding to the conversation.
You're right 'being interested in what you learn' is a great help. However, the list I've provided isn't completely exhaustive; there will certainly be more, probably many more.
You may like to read the follow up post to this one;
http://www.diary4life.com/10-more-steps-to-help...
Regards
Paul