Always. Be. Closing. Learning.

A student mentality is the best competitive advantage you can have in today’s evolving job market. Staying a student doesn’t mean you’re always taking orders, always second in command, or destined to be an individual contributor forever (in fact the best leaders are students). All it means is you’re open to new ways of doing something. It means you’re focused on self-improvement. And it means you listen and ask questions (and then listen some more). 

But it’s not easy. And as we age, it even becomes harder to learn, retain, and apply new information because of a phenomenon called “interference.” Interference is when new learning interferes with existing information and memories. This causes confusion and ultimately we just forget the new information altogether. 

So how can you hone your inner student, learn new tricks, and stay young of mind? First, let’s take a moment to recognize why it’s so difficult to stay a student and always be learning.

The Forgetting Curve

A well-known concept in psychology is called the “forgetting curve.” First described by German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus, this curve shows that we tend to forget a significant portion of new information within a short period of time.  

Ebbinghaus found that within one hour, we forget approximately 50% of any new information. Within 24 hours, we forget 70% of the information. And within a week, we forget up to 90%! It takes a lot of time, commitment, and energy to combat the forgetting curve. 

Oftentimes, we’re easily discouraged when trying to learn something new if it doesn’t stick right away. But it will never just click. There is no presto–change-o. You have to go in with the mindset that learning is hard work.

At the end of the day, these figures are averages. Your individual retention rate depends on a slew of other factors. To make learning easier, you have to understand what these factors are—from your individual learning style to your personal motivation. 

Recognize, understand, and leverage your own individual learning style

Learning styles refer to the different ways individuals prefer to absorb, process, and retain information. Recognizing your personal learning style can help you tailor your learning strategies, making the process more efficient and even enjoyable! 

VARK’s in a name? 

Bad puns aside, the VARK model is a widely recognized framework for understanding learning styles. It identifies four primary learning styles:

• Visual: learners who prefer to learn through images, diagrams, and visual representations
• Auditory: learners who prefer to learn by listening (think lectures, podcasts, or discussions)
• Reading/Writing: learners who prefer to learn by reading and writing (our voracious bookworms and fervent notetakers)
• Kinesthetic: learners who prefer hands-on experiences like experiments, simulations, or role-playing

Keep in mind, the VARK model isn’t meant to oversimplify or pigeonhole you. It’s rare that people are so neatly categorized. You may lean heavily towards one style or you may be a combination of styles. (Or your style could change depending on what you’re trying to learn.) But thinking about learning styles in this way can still help adjust your approach to learning so that it’s most effective for you. 

Instead of just defaulting to the way you’ve always learned in the past, experiment with different strategies. Eventually, you’ll learn what your preferred learning styles are and how to adapt your learning strategies accordingly. 

Make it a habit

This is all well and good to know. But to really make the most of this information, you have to embed it into your upskilling journey. Here are some strategies to consider:

• Visual Learners:
  • Use mind maps, diagrams, and infographics to organize information
  • Watch videos or presentations on relevant topics
  • Create visual aids or flashcards
• Auditory Learners:
  • Listen to podcasts, audiobooks, or lectures
  • Join study groups or discussion forums
  • Record yourself explaining concepts
• Reading/Writing Learners:
  • Take detailed notes and summarize key points
  • Write essays or blog posts about what you’ve learned
  • Read books, articles, or research papers
• Kinesthetic Learners:
  • Practice skills through hands-on activities or simulations
  • Join workshops or take classes that involve physical participation
  • Create models or prototypes to visualize concepts
  • Role play with other team members

But what’s my motivation?!?

Context is everything. Just because you know what your learning style is doesn’t mean you’ll suddenly become like Bradley Cooper in Limitless. You have to consider the context in which you’re trying to learn. By context, we mean: what’s going on in and around you, in your life or at work. Why are you trying to learn? Here are a few things to consider: 

• Motivation: Your intrinsic motivation—or internal drive to learn—plays a crucial role in your engagement and persistence. What excites you about the subject matter? What are your personal goals for learning?
• Interest: If you find a topic interesting and engaging, you’re more likely to be motivated to learn. If you’re struggling to learn something, ask yourself, “am I really interested in this?”
• Prior knowledge: Your existing knowledge and understanding of a subject can influence your learning and comprehension. Do you have bad habits? biases? preconceived notions that are affecting you? 
• Learning environment: The physical and social environment in which you learn can influence your focus and engagement. How can you create a conducive learning environment, whether it’s at home or at work? 
• Sleep: Adequate sleep is crucial for consolidating memories.  
• Stress: High levels of stress can impair memory and learning.

You can’t sell these factors short. Unless you really are Bradley Cooper in Limitless, you can’t force yourself to learn something new if you’re stressed, uninterested, and studying in a crowded office. Take note of your context and go from there. 

Overcoming Learning Obstacles

Many people struggle to find the time and motivation to dedicate to learning. However, with the right strategies, you can overcome these challenges. Here are some tips:

• Prioritize learning: Make time for learning by scheduling it into your daily or weekly routine
• Break it down: Divide larger learning goals into smaller, manageable tasks
• Find a learning buddy: Collaborate with others to stay motivated and accountable
• Teach others: Explaining a concept to someone else can solidify your understanding  
• Leverage technology: Use online resources, apps, and tools to support your learning

Other learning methods

As you go about your learning journey, consider trying other techniques and see what works for you. 

• Spacing: some people retain information better when they review it at spaced intervals rather than all at once 
• Interleaving: this technique involves alternating between different types of problems or tasks as opposed to “blocking,” which involves practicing the same type of problem repeatedly
• Generation: we may be more likely to remember information that we actively generate ourselves, rather than information that is simply presented to us
• Testing: practice tests can force us to actively retrieve and recall information, which strengthens our memory.

There is no “right” learning style

Remember, there is no “right” learning style. Experiment with various strategies to discover what works best for you and make your learning journey a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

Read this coaching conversation for advice on staying accountable to your learning goals.