In the face of ever more rapid technological change, the most important skill is the ability to learn better. And that means training. But the results are better if you are motivated. Here are 3 tips to help you learn better.
The average lifespan of a skill is around 5 years. A continuous learning attitude is therefore essential to regularly update your skills. To get the most out of training, you sometimes first have to «learn how to learn». And there are 3 essential levers for this: motivation, method and attitude.
1/ Identify your sources of motivation to learn better
There are two types of motivation.
intrinsic motivation What is important for me to learn, what I enjoy learning, what I want to learn and what makes sense to me.
extrinsic motivation What I have to do, the obligation to respond to an external request or need (new assignment, new project, new tools, change of job, promotion, etc.).
Intrinsic motivation seems preferable for «learning to learn». It is this motivation that will then fuel autonomy in the learning process.
The key is to doing things for yourself. So if you want to take control of your career development, ask yourself the right questions.
What skills do I need to create the future of my dreams?
What do I need to learn to become the person I want to be?
This process is not always easy to set in motion. It may therefore be useful to talk to a career development advisor or to carry out a skills assessment.
[Also read] Career development advice for managers
2/ Defining your learning method
There is no one right way to learn. Everyone gradually develops their own method of learning, depending on who they are. So it's important to listen to yourself and your preferences when learning.
Identify your learning preferences Action, listening, exchange or reflection?
Locate learning channels which have proved effective in the past: auditory, visual, kinaesthetic.
Adapt your method according to your preferences.
For example :
- draw up a learning plan with objectives: neither too high nor too low
- take part in peer-to-peer communities
- Train face-to-face or online
- train with serious games
- do memory exercises
Boost your concentration It's essential for better learning.
3/ Adopting a learning-friendly attitude
Certain soft skills are essential for acquiring new skills: humility, proactivity and openness.
Be humble
Challenge yourself and acknowledge your mistakes: this is an opportunity to learn from them, and from others too.
Be proactive
Stick to the programme, define the tools and methods that suit you best and practise as much as you can.
Be open
In other words, go out and meet your peers to share and pass on.
[Also read] Learning to learn: a question of posture
