Redefining “Learning”
All these business development and marketing seminars are great, but…
During the first week of December, I attended a 5 day live seminar delivered by Eben Pagan and Wyatt Woodsmall on “Advanced Learning and Teaching” technologies.
I am a lifelong learner, as well as a coach and teacher — so I’m always up for great new strategies on how to learn and teach better.
I got those in SPADES at this event! I left after five days with a huge headache -- but it was the good kind, the kind you get when you’ve had so many new, powerful ideas implanted in a short time that it feels like your brain is expanding in real time to make room.
If you’re a lifelong learner, a coach, a speaker, a trainer, consultant or teacher as well, then stay tuned. I’m going to wander through my notes and write a series of posts to share with you the biggest ideas that I learned, and hopefully expand your current ideas and paradigms.
Let’s start with this…”to know” does not necessarily mean “to have learned”.
Here’s what I mean…
I used to think that learning consisted of receiving, and understanding, new information.
Now, however, I do not consider that I have learned until my behavior changes as a result of that new information, understanding, or insight.
Here’s a few real-life examples that come to mind…
I manage my own investments and, over the years, have received a lot of information about “when to sell” an investment, and distilled it into a set of criteria.
It’s happened more than once though, that an investment meets my sell criteria, but I don’t sell. So have I really learned when to sell?
Before, I would have said yes. But now, I realize that I have all the information, but I didn’t actually learn from it because it did not cause my “buy and hold” behavior to change. (i.e., I learned that buy and hold strategy too well!) 
Here’s another small example…
On my way home from the seminar, I checked in at the United Airlines Counter at LAX only to be told that the flight was operated by Air Canada, and I had to check in at the other terminal.
I did this very same thing each of the last three times I departed LAX to fly back to Toronto in the last few months.
Interestingly, each time I did this, the agent informed me that Expedia (where I booked my flight) does not always indicate that the flight’s being operated by Air Canada on their tickets.
And yet, each time, I went to the UA checkin only to be turned away and told again that AC operates these UA flights.
Notice: I received the information. I understood it. I could even say “I knew” that AC operated these flights.
But…since I did not change my behavior, I did not learn.
Next time, when I first go online or call to confirm that my flight is operated by AC and go to the correct terminal to check in, I can say I learned it.
The implications are profound and affect all parts of our lives. It’s a new way of looking at when:
- Our children have learned that new subject at school.
- We have learned that new marketing strategy.
- Our clients and students have learned what we’re teaching them.
- We learned how to manage our investments.
- We learn what being healthy really means.
- We learn what is most important in our lives.
- … and so much more.
Here’s the distinction: acquiring new information is not learning until your behavior changes as a result of acuiring it.
If you’re a lifelong learner, or a coach, teacher, trainer, speaker, etc., this has big implications.
As a student, you now go beyond just accumulating information. You can ask how to change your behavior so you learn what’s most important to you.
As a teacher (coach, speaker, consultant .. etc), if we truly intend for my students to learn what we teach, then we will provide more than information: we will provide a context that inspires, motivates and supports our students and clients to change their behavior in the real world.
I’ll share some specific models for creating transformative learning in follow up posts in this series — stay tuned.
For now, I wold appreciate your comments. Would you let me know if you “get this”, and how that will change your behavior -- in your life and/or in your work -- in 2009?
it is true that thoughts become things, but this cannot happen without action.
This is on the money Lou. There is a world of difference in being able to talk a game and play it. This is true of sports, of business, even dating (ok, I'm married with 5 kids, so dating was a while back
)
For every book we read, every seminar we attend, every experience we want to gain from, we find some action we can take and go do it today. Then take another and another…
Best
Geoff
http://www.kellystrategicinfluence.com.au
Lou, Yes, It's the difference between "shelfware" and implementation. The AMI Intensive , which strongly bridged that gap, has become my model for teaching and learning going forward.
Am looking forward to hearing more of your insights!
You are absolutely correct. I used to have that same headache after 5-day bootcamps with Jay Abraham. I would tell people that it took 5-days for the exposure but the infomation wouldn't "download" into my consciousness for many months (even years).
The second thing is once you've "learned" it, then you need to re-examine decions made in the "near-past"
in light of the new information you've taken in. This is related to a concept executive coach Brian Tracy calls "zero-based thinking". Paraphrased, it states: knowing what you now know, what are you doing now that you wouldn't do or start.
Happy Holidays To All
Rod
I can relate to this big time. When I was in college I would “cram” all I had learned for the test, but once the class was over – so was the learning. I am a perpetual learner, but now if something excites me, or feels right, I will implement what I have learned. By implementing, I can decide what works and what doesn’t for me. Right On Lou! As always, great content.
Warm Regards,
Diana
http://www.makelifechanges.com
I understand fully….I appreciate the way you explained the information in serveral ways….in my creativity…comes forth as a thought of wisdom or knowledge of information….that I can let sit there and do nothing with…or do I risk to do it differently from this new information and allow something new to be created….thus birthing new action….and a new part of me emerges from the unknown space….does us no good to have the information and sit on it…..Got it!!!….I recognize your learning in my purpose…we infused another layer with great learning…
Thank You Lou
Thanks for the reminder. This is great for business. My oldest daughter is now doing the college search, this is a great concept for her to understand now. It will make life much more interesting. Thanks Lou.
Merry Christmas,
Sandy Faulkner
Here is the problem with thinking you know everything. If I told you, you need to drink more water and eat more vegetables, your first response might be… “I know that.” You instantly shut down your brain when you have heard something before, especially when it involves a behavior change that means leaving your comfort zone.
Without being receptive to the learning, a behavioral change will not happen. Change requires NOT being YOU. Tell yourself: “If I have to change, I need to STOP being ME.” You are capable of not being you, but you need to learn how… in consistent small doses over time. That’s how habits, change, and ultimately results occur.
Great post, Lou! Happy Holidays!
Lauren
I couldn't agree more!
There is a huge difference between understanding something intellectually and making changes in your life or business that reflect a different way of doing things.
If you can figure out how to make it easier for people to change their behavior you will have something that will be extraordinarily successful.
I'm looking forward to hearing more…
Happy Holidays!
Judy Schramm
JMR Consulting
I trust I will be able to let go of "I know" and replace it with "I have learned…" It may be an interesting way of checking myself whenever I come across old information that I think I know but have not yet learned.
Thanks Lou – interesting post.