Learn how to learn: boost your educational process and learning capacity

How often do we feel demotivated when we don’t achieve the ambitious goals we set up for learning? Why does our motivation begin to fade, and we stop? 

We sat down with our Learning & Development team, who constantly learned and created a learning environment at Forte. They answered common questions connected with acquiring new skills. Some team members shared how to build the educational system and how to deal with demotivation.

What are your golden rules of productive learning?

Iryna, L&D Manager: 

I have been in the education process for as long as I remember. The first school, then university (twice, by the way), and next was my first job. Afterward, I gradually evolved through the career ladder: different times and different circumstances, but the same obstacles on the route. Sounds surprising, doesn’t it? So, while exploring this adventurous path, I got to the bottom of the mystery of learning and deciphered a few golden rules of practical knowledge for myself.

• People start something new, including knowledge acquisition, for fear or satisfaction. There might be variations in reasons; in the end, you’ll find only these two. Thus, while on the edge of any new learning endeavors, define the expected results and indicate what benefits they will bring you or what undesirable outcomes they will prevent. If you write these down – the impact will be even more significant. This technique will keep you motivated; you need to understand WHY to do anything effectively. And this WHY should be your one, based exclusively on your needs and conditions.
• Quick wins and milestones are essential. You will reach even the far-flung destinations if you outline the halts for celebration. Moreover, short-time goals and achievements let you know you are on the right path and keep you from getting demotivated. Don’t forget about recognition!
• If you feel afraid of something – go straight there! It’s your area for growth! All new beginnings need to be challenging. Otherwise, you will lose a rewarding aftertaste when you are done.

Stay consistent during your learning journey, but don’t be afraid to change the direction if it is more gainful.

What to learn now is actual? 

Yaryna, L & D specialist: 

The world around us is changing very fast, and if you want to keep up, you must be prepared for new challenges. For me, what is essential to learn these days is soft skills. They determine how you work with others, cooperate with your colleagues, solve problems, and adapt to changes and new environments. Mastering soft skills also help to improve your overall effectiveness in life and at work.

How to learn while working full-time and having time for family, friends, and hobbies?

Yaryna: 

I would say it is a matter of priority and good time management. And, yes, it is tough to manage everything simultaneously. So, what can be done about that? I plan my working week and put everything on my calendar to see what is waiting for me. And when I say ‘everything,’ I mean everything, even my lunch. It helps to manage my time, avoid overworking, and complete my tasks on time. I never work over the weekend to spend more time with my family and friends. And when I have quite a few tasks to be done during one day, I sometimes use the Pomodoro technique (25 minutes working, 5 minutes resting), which helps me to focus more on work and not be distracted by unimportant things. 

Veronika, English Instructor: 

When you are an adult with a busy schedule, it can be challenging to squeeze some learning into it. So, here bite-sized learning comes into play. 

These small pieces of information usually take up to 15 – 20 minutes to explore or learn. 

So, the learning process is broken down into a series of small steps. It is clear as it sounds. You take little time to consume the information, and you learn regularly. 

Here are a few reasons to adopt the bite-sized type of learning (aka microlearning):

• You may apply the information learned immediately (as you’re not overwhelmed with too much data in one go).
• The mobile learning format is a great fit here.
• You are more likely to stay engaged and interested in learning.
• It’s a perfect fit for refresher training (when the environment is evolving and there’s no need for an entire course).
• You may stay flexible and learn in a self-paced mode.
• You may quickly get just-in-time support.

How to learn a new skill quickly?

Yaryna:

I genuinely believe that there is a difference between knowledge and skill. You can learn a lot of things, but skills come with practice. My motto is “Practice makes perfect,” so it takes time to transform your knowledge into skills. And when you do, you realize how essential it is to commit your time to learning, getting new knowledge and practice, and understanding you have done everything right. That’s when you benefit from your hard work and can use your skill easily. So, decide what skill you want to master, and work on it with passion and dedication. And remember – only practice makes perfect!

Tania, English Instructor: 

For all of us as digital natives, everything seems to be just at the click of a button. There is a pool of apps, tutorials, courses, workshops, and podcasts. However, there is still no universal recipe for how to master a skill and do it in a blink of an eye. The only thing I can suggest is interacting with information. No, you don’t have to read, watch, listen, or talk as much as possible. Don’t invest your time into drilling, memorizing, and cramping. Pick the meaningful skill for you, learn the basics and practice. Find out for yourself what works and what doesn’t. And as the Chinese proverb says: “Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid only of standing still.”

How to stay a motivated learner and don’t lose interest?

Yaryna: 

I believe there is no “one size fits all recipe.” Different people are motivated by other things. I agree with those who say there is a difference between motivation and inspiration. You can be inspired by the desire to work hard and get a promotion or save enough money to buy a house; motivation is a driving force behind our actions. Inspiration comes within you and can provide the willingness necessary to spark your drive. As for me, motivation and inspiration go hand in hand. You cannot be motivated forever, but if you find something inspiring, you will see how learning becomes much more accessible. Inspiration drives us, whereas motivation is a pulling force – combine them, and you will find the key to success!

Veronika: 

Revise your learning goals and content once in a while. 

First off, you need to have a goal. That will be perfect if you manage to set a SMART learning goal: A plan that is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. When you have an aim, it’s easier to see the result of the efforts made, and you end up being fulfilled. So, take some time to revise your goals from time to time to check whether they are still relevant and meaningful for you. You might want to make the most of your learning to stay motivated. You need to have a chance to apply your new skills and have a ground for success cases. 

Tania: 

When it comes to increasing your engagement and staying motivated, a good idea would be to get an “accountability buddy.” It can be a friend or partner (or any other social support person) to help you follow through on your commitment, encourage your wins, and not just guilt-trip you into messing up. Positive reinforcement is potent for keeping us motivated, especially in the long run. On top of that, define your learning style to get better results out of educating process and optimize your study habits. You can explore the VARK model and look into Visual, Aural, Read/write, and Kinesthetic styles to identify unique modes of learning that help you tailor your strategy. 

Caro, English Instructor: 

Did you know that you are unique and don’t learn the same way everybody does? Well! Let me tell you that every brain functions differently, and I recommend the following webpage with some questions for you to discover which one is your learning style. It also has some strategies to use when you learn more about your learning style. You will become conscious of how some information remains in your brain.

By understanding what kind of learner you are, you can gain a better perspective on implementing these learning styles into your study techniques.

What are the ways to learn English by myself? 

Vitalii, English Instructor: 

I believe learning a language is like going to a gym. The more you do it, the more perfect you get. All you have to do is do it regularly and consistently. In the beginning, you should have someone who will teach you some basics; later, you can do it independently. Besides, it would be best if you didn’t think of mistakes; no one is perfect. You will gradually eliminate errors when you pay attention to how native speakers speak. Read, watch, listen, and don’t be afraid to use the language whenever you have a chance. Don’t learn separate words; learn phrases and use them in sentences. Try writing a diary in English or making up funny stories. Yes, it will take some time; just be patient and creative. Don’t expect someone to motivate or push you. You are the person who is responsible for your English level. No one will drag you inside a gym against your will. It’s the same story with your English.