How much attention do you pay to learning?  I mean, how do you learn?  What enhances and encourages your learning?  What helps you actually use your learning?

I’m guessing these Q and A’s aren’t really on your radar.

We pay so much attention to WHAT we’re learning that we forget to pay as much attention to making sure that learning STICKS.

In fact, sometimes, we dread the learning curve so much that we avoid learning.

You go to all the trouble of carving out time to take that workshop, attend that webinar, read that book, take that university course, listen to that blog post, etc., here’s a way to help all that juicy learning actually get used.

I’ve been experimenting with a simple format to help anchor and reinforce learning.  Please feel free to use it and let me know how it goes.

It starts with the acronym QU.I.T.E.

QU.I.T.E.

QU – Questions

• Turn yourself into a proactive learner by making up some questions that you’d like answered by your learning.  
• Write them down / record them digitally, and then while you’re learning, make sure to get them answered.

I – Insight

• Record your insights / what you learn – in a journal, on an electronic note, a sticky note, whatever works for you – just make sure you record your insights.
• Jot down the things that make you go, “Wow! Hmmm.  I didn’t know that.  Well, that’s cool.  Isn’t that interesting!” etc.

T – Try

• Try stuff based on your learning.  Take action.  Put your learning to use.  
• By using what you’ve learned and trying stuff, it will have the added bonus of helping you remember what you learned as well.

E – Entertainment

• Learning should be intriguing and even fun.  
• Make your learning entertaining and take some of the pressure off yourself – find a funny meme that represents what you’re learning, doodle based on your learning, find a funny relevant video, etc.
• Entertain yourself and have fun and, you’ll remember your learning even better.

Kudos and congratulations on taking the time to learn about learning.  Use the QU.I.T.E. method by actively Questioning, recording your Insights, Trying stuff, and making it Entertaining and, you’ll make your learning even better.  

And we can all benefit from that.

Now go on and learn, laugh and lead

Learn

• I made you a simple editable QU.I.T.E. worksheet.  Feel free to use it the next time you settle in to learn something new.

Laugh

• Take the stress out of learning and have some entertaining fun, including by watching this video

Lead

• Share the QU.I.T.E. worksheet with a friend and/or colleague and learn something together.

P.S.

Let’s stay connected. Free weekly coaching by email on how to use humanity and humour to problem solve, right here.