Have you ever been inspired by a conference, learning event, book, podcast or even a conversation with a peer then you’ve returned to the chaos and demands of work following that brief time away and promptly left behind most of those insights and good intentions.
This is one of the greatest challenges we face as learners and also as learning professionals. How do we make the learning stick? Bring it to life in our day-to-day work when there are so many obstacles to doing so?
Here are five best practices to help you make the most of your next learning event:
- Be Prepared Spend time before the formal learning begins thinking about what you want to learn, and where in your work that’s going to make a difference. Talk to your manager and land on some expectations – what role will they play in helping you act on what you’re learning?
- Focus on Specific Goals. Many courses are packed full of inspiring content, new models, tips, tactics and tools. It’s impossible to act on everything – so what are one or two manageable changes you can make that will have a big impact? Focus on those. Once they’re established habits, you can always go back for more.
- Seek Support. Find a learning partner who attended the same event to help hold you accountable. Commit to regular check-ins to discuss challenges and share progress.
- Schedule Reminders. Block time in your calendar to revisit or apply what you learned, even if it’s just an hour every couple of weeks. Book time with your buddy. Book time with your manager to talk about progress or obstacles.
- Practice. Real learning happens when you actively try a new skill, behaviour or mindset. Not just once, but over and over again. When it doesn’t work out the way you expected the first time, adjust, try again, and perfect your approach. Whether a physical skill or a new behaviour, doing it well takes repetition and feedback.
Are any of these in your personal post-course arsenal?
What else do you like to do to ensure you make the most of your learning opportunities?
This post comes from guest writer – Kristen Cross
