People prefer to learn new skills in different ways. Take the learning principles we just discussed into consideration, but be confident in your own learning preferences. Remember the following points as you create a plan for learning new skills:
What’s worked in the past?
Think of skills that you have successfully learned in the past. Ask, “How did I do it?” Also look at other people who have already mastered the skill you are trying to learn. What approach did they take? Go ahead and ask for experts’ advice as you try to become an expert yourself.
Also reflect upon things you were not able to learn very well in the past. What got in the way of you learning the new information effectively?
What’s in it for me?
One important key for you to use in your skill development is to remind yourself of why you want to learn it. Keep the incentive for learning the new skill in mind throughout your study or practice session. It even helps to write it out and hang it on the wall. For example:
- “I need to learn this computer skill so I can make more money and get out of debt.”
- “I will learn the principles of finance and investing so I can retire in five years.”
- “I need to get this certification so I can get promoted and have a more enjoyable career.”
Get into your learning “flow”
You can create an environment where you can experience optimal learning. In addition to having a specific plan for what and how to learn, you need to find where you learn best. Is it at home, or perhaps at a library? Does it need to be quiet or are you one of those people who need a little ambient noise to help you concentrate? What resources do you need to be available to get your information…books, Internet, a mentor?
As you answer these questions and work to create an ideal learning environment, you should be able to create a mental state where you are fully immersed and focused on your skill development.
Your Learning Plan
After you answered some of the questions we’ve discussed, you can put together a simple plan to learn your desired skills. A simple learning plan (you should type/write/print it out) includes your specific learning goal, a statement about why you want to learn it, when you will learn it, and specific steps about how you will learn it.