Taking a class to learn a new skill to build is one thing. Figuring out how to apply what you've learned is quite another.
You would think that with all my formal education and years of adult study I would be an expert at implementing what I've learned. Well, I'm not and apparently I'm not alone.
Some studies suggest that we only apply between 10% to 40% of what we learned at a class or training program. That is leaving a major chunk of change on the table. And I'm as guilty of wasting my money taking online classes as the next person.
Sometimes I don't apply what I've learned because I've selected the wrong class and the information simply doesn't apply to my business or to anything else in my life. Sometimes I have trouble with the scheduling and get lazy about downloading a recording of the class and listening later. That also includes finding the time to listen and take notes. Sometimes I don't like the instructor or I find them selling and not teaching and I don't pay attention to what they're teaching ...or promoting.
I suspect, however, this reluctance is part of human nature. Training involves change and change creates anxiety and most of us find ways to avoid anxiety. For some classes old habits and current writing assignments break down my strong resolve to use the newly acquire skills and knowledge. I sometimes think that if my office were more tidy my workplace environment would be more encouraging for change. And then I think of a new post for one of my blogs. So much for tidy.
I've recently devised an action plan that I believe will help me apply what I learn on an online course. I want to share it with you and see what you think.
After I take a course, or even following a teleseminar for a course, I am going to write down how I plan to use the new skills I've learned. I'm convinced that just writing it down makes it more likely to happen. My notion is to answer these 4 questions in my plan:
What will I do to implement a concept from today's session?
When will I do this?
What results doI expect?
Do I need outside support to implement?
The first thing I realize is that I'm going to have to schedule 20 minutes after each class to answer these questions. This is the time when I find out that I may need more information to take action. And that is good because there is nothing more frustrating than setting aside the time to get something done and I find there are missing pieces.
I started out 4 years ago with the idea for an internet business. My goal this month is to make learning transfer a more obvious and important part of my training and development. I suspect this will help me become far more effective than I already am.
What do you think about this notion? Do you think it's worth the time? Better yet, tell me what you do to transfer what you've learned in teleseminars and programs. Or what kind of problems do you have when taking an online training course? Scroll down to comments and type in the blank window.
To your success at any age.
Ruthan Brodsky
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