How to make learning last?

I believe the biggest problem with learning is not about how to learn. It is about making it last. And it goes through three stages:

learning the knowledge
learning how to implement
learning how to become

Any learning experience (training, workshop, course, etc.) reaches its limitations because we often do not go to the third stage, which is the most challenging part.

Let me give you an example from selling. As a salesperson, you can have a training program in negotiation. First, you learn the theory (knowledge) about the fundamentals and critical points about negotiating effectively. This knowledge would remain as intellectual capital until you start applying it to your customers. You likely use it only at work while selling at that stage because you consider it a “tool.” And probably you would not even consider using those negotiation techniques when you would like to buy something for yourself. Overall, we can say that as a salesperson, you do good negotiations at that stage.

In the third stage, you extend the use of negotiation techniques to your life. You do it so well that you become a good negotiator. It almost becomes a part of your personality; when people ask, you will not even realize how good you are at negotiating. It just happens, and it is “normal” for you. That is what we call transformational learning.

And this happens rarely. First, it is because we cannot and should not learn anything. If it will transform us and become a part of our personality, we must be very selective about it. Secondly, even if we choose the right topic, getting to the third stage is not easy. Because of distractions, we do not necessarily put enough energy and focus into making it part of ourselves. In that case, we say we lose our motivation and end up doing things in the “good old way”, as we always have done.

To overcome the first reason, I learned a simple trick from Jim Kwik. Kwik suggests that we need to ask ourselves three questions before deciding to start a learning journey:

How will I use this?
Why must I use this?
When will I use this?

If you have meaningful answers to all those three questions, you are likely on the right track.

The second reason is a little more complicated to overcome. Because it is about integrating the new learning into our life, it requires focus and accountability. And no, it is not about motivation. (I am planning to write another post about it)

And at that point comes coaching. In my experience, it is the most powerful tool to make learning last. If you see the knowledge as the text of an actor/actress, coaching is the tool enabling you to perform in your unique way. It helps you remain authentic, keep developing, and enjoy the transformation that comes from learning. And more importantly, it allows you to become in your own way.

Therefore, unlike most people think, coaching is not a tool we would use only when things go wrong. We particularly need it when the things go well, when we feel open to learn new things to evolove. It is indeed, a crucial part of our learning journey.

It is about becoming…